| Administrative History | In 1925, Aberdeen became the fifth branch of the Scottish Country Dance Society, following the establishment of branches in Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth in 1923.
The first meeting of the Aberdeen Branch was held on 16 October 1925 at Aberdeen's Palace Hotel. Presiding over the inaugural meeting was leading church figure Bishop Deane who remarked that whilst he did not condemn 'modern dancing', he was concerned it might overshadow many of the dances which had been 'inherited from the past'.
The aims of the Society were agreed at the meeting: the preservation of country dances as danced in Scotland and the publication of descriptions of country dances with diagrams and music in simple form. The core role of the Society was to provide members with the opportunity to dance in organised classes, regardless of level or ability.
By 1933, Aberdeen had the largest membership of all the branches and, although temporarily hindered during the war years, it continued to attract new members and organised classes for dancers of all abilities in various locations throughout the city.
The Aberdeen branch marked its 70th anniversary in February 1996 with a sherry reception at the Tree Tops Hotel, Aberdeen. |