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THE REEL NEWS

Volume 26, Issue #4 March 2020 ROYAL SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE SOCIETY

LONDON, CANADA BRANCH 117 Bournemouth Drive London ON N5V 4T1

www.rscdslondoncanada.org

Submissions for the next newsletter can be sent to Pat McClelland by August 5th, 2020

Chairperson’sMessage MargaretCampbellThearrivalofSpringis justafewdaysaway,andwithitcomeslotsofopportunitiestoputaspringinyourstepandenjoymoredancing.Ourmonthly dance, theSpring Social, takesplace on Friday, March 27th at ElmwoodChurchwitha fullprogramofspring-themeddances. Wear your “springiest” outfit for achancetowinaprize.That’s followed by ourAnnual Spring Ball,beingheld at thePolishCombatants’Hall onMay2nd.It’sthehighlightofourdanceseason.You won’t want to miss dressing in yourfinestanddancingtothemusicofScotchMist.Theflyerwithregistrationformisattheendof this newsletter. Then, to round out oursocial events for the year, the StrawberrySocial Tea Dance takes place on Saturday,June 20th, at Colborne Street United Church.Youguessedit,thethemeisstrawberriesandteaservedwithfinechinacupsandsaucers.Alsocomingup is the free night of dancingMay6thatCarlingHeightsat7:30p.m.wherewe encourage you to invite your friends,family, neighbours, co-workers and anyonewho enjoys dancing to try out ScottishCountry Dancing for one night. Hopefullythey’llbebittenbythedancingbugandwantto join us in Septemberwith amembership.GayleFrisa,ourPublicityCoordinator,willbeasking for your help shortly to spread theword about the free night with posters andbusinesscards.

Don’t forgettherearetwonightsofsummersocial dancing open to allmembers on July15 and August 19 at CarlingHeights at 7:30p.m.Costis$5atthedoor.The Annual General Meeting is onWednesday, May 13, at Carling Heights at7:30 p.m. It is important for all members toattend as we’ll review the past year’sactivities, confirm new members of theCommittee of Management and deal withother items affecting the Branch. An agendaand other documents will be sent to you atleast21dayspriortothemeeting.As you know, we have some open positionson the Committee of Management that startin June of this year (contact Helen Bell) andwe’realsolookingforaWebAdministratortowork with Gayle Frisa (see Gayle).We needyour help to fill these important positionsthatcontributesomuchtotherunningoftheBranch.I’d like to thank Helen Bell for the amazingjobshedidorganizingtheWorkshopandTeaDance that was held in February. Herattentiontothesmallestdetailshelpedmakethis event fun for everyone, including herprayers toMotherNature forgoodtravellingweather. We had a record number ofattendeesthisyear–92–andmythanksalsogo to each and every one of you whosupportedthisevent.Our next newsletter will be sent in lateAugust, beforewe start the new dance year,

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with the membership form and Calendar ofEvents. It’s been great to see so manyenthusiasticbeginnersouttoclassweekafterweek. We look forward to you returning inSeptembertocontinuelearningandacquiringnewdanceskills.Asforthemoreexperienceddancers, your help with the basic class has

been invaluable and your support for theBranch and social events in generalimmeasurable. Thanks to all members andteachers for a great year so far, with morestilltocome.Keepondancing!

BranchNewsBurnsWeekDemonstrations: HelenBellInthelastpartofJanuaryofthisyearourdemonstrationgrouphadaverybusyweekwiththreeinvitationstoentertainatseverallocationsinLondon.ThefirstinvitationcamefromChelseaParkCareHomewherewewereinvitedtodanceforalargegroupofresidents.IinvitedDeclanDunnetojoinustosingandplaytheguitarandhewashappytodoso.PatriciaMcClellandplayedthebagpipestothedelightoftheseniors.Itwasahappytimeforallandbeforeweleft,severaloftheresidentsandstaffdancedawaltzwithourdancers.OurnextinvitationwasfromTheProbusClubofNorthLondontoentertainataBurnsSupperheldatTheMochaBanquetHallintheevening.NextdaywewereofftoMeadowParkNursingHomewhereoneofourmembers,SueElliott,isonstaff.Therewedanced,DeclansangandPatplayedherbagpipes.Theresidentsandstaffreallyenjoyedthedancingandthemusic.Thedancerswere:MargandBrianCampbell,KarenandScottMacCrone,RobertWatson,PatriciaMcClelland,JeanCameron,MargAllanandHelenBell

BurnsNightCelebration: JanetSchreiberTheLondonBranchheldtheirRobertBurnscelebrationonJanuary24thatElmwoodPresbyterianChurchwithapproximately35peopleattending.Theeveningwasfilledwithmusic,dance,goodfriendsandgoodfood.MarieMcLennandevisedthedanceprogramwithdancesrelatingtoRobbieBurns.ShehadashorthistoryabouteachdanceandhowitrelatedtoRobbieBurnsandhislife.CatherineShawheldherfamousdraw.Asusualsomepeoplewereveryluckywiththenumberoftreasurestheytookhome.TheHaggiswaspresentedingrandstylebyPatriciaMcClellandthepiper.SusanElliotttheHaggisBearerandAlasdairCampbellwhodidtheaddresstotheHaggis.CallaMahoncoordinatedawonderfullunchwhichincludedalargeservingofHaggisforeveryone.CallawasalsotheHaggiscooker.ThecelebrationsendedwithAuldLangSyne.

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FebruaryWorkshop&TeaDance:

MyImpressionsoftheWorkshopwithIsobelHunter SandyKechnieHavingneverattendedaworkshopbefore,dancingorotherwise,Ididn’tknowwhattoexpect.Whatstruckmeimmediatelyintheschedulewastwoclasses,oneinthemorningandoneintheafternoonfollowedbyaTeaDance.Thatisalotofdancing.IwasafraidthatmyfeetwouldnotsurviveinmyflimsydanceshoessoIalsopackedmycomfortablesketchers(notneeded).Iwassurethatmymindwouldbefriedbytheendoftheday,whichasitturnedoutwasthecase.Afterthewarmupexercisesthebigpeoplehadtostaydownstairswhilewe,Isupposethe“wee”folk,toddledupstairs.IfeltalittlebitlikeIdidasakidleavingboringchurchtoparentstohavefuninSundayschool.OurteacherwasIsobelHunterfromWindsoraidedbyourveryownCatherineShawInthemorningclasswecoveredsomeofthefundamentalsbeforelearningtheEdinburghToyShop.Ratherthanbeingtiredattheendofthesession,asIhadexpected,Ifeltinvigoratedandcouldhavegonealittlelongeranddoneafewrepetitions.Theafternoonsessionbeganwiththedance12CoatesCrescent.Thisdanceinvolvesallthedancersallofthetime.Althoughtherewerenonewsteps,IfoundthatIneededtoreallypayattentioneverysecond.ThesessionendedwithRabbie’sReelwhichwasaverygoodchoicesinceitisrelativelyeasyandalotoffun.TheTeaDancewastheacidtest.Hereournewlyacquiredskillswouldbedrawnon.EventhoughIwastired,IwasdeterminedthatIwouldsoldieronanddomybest.IwaslookingforwardtoTheFlowersofEdinburghwhichforsomereasonhasbecomemyfavouritedance.Ihaveviewedthevideosdozensoftimes,steppeditoutinmymind,andpracticedthepoussetteadnauseum.Alas,Iroyallyerredonmyfirstrunthrough,butwasabletorecoveronthesecond.Everyonesmiledatmymistakeandcarriedon,whichisagreatfeatureofthisgroup.IparticularlyenjoyedwatchingPostiesjig.Theinstructorsandexperienceddancersweredirectlyinfrontofus.Itwasevidentthattheywerethoroughlyenjoyingthemselvesastheywentthrough,frommyperspectiveatleast,aflawlessperformance.Theentiredaywasagreatsuccess.Imetnewpeople,learnednewdances,andenjoyedwatchingthemore experienceddancers.Oh,didImentionthatthefoodwasexcellent.

WorkshopWarm-up

TeaDance

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WorkshopwithMoiraKorusforExperiencedDancers LesleyCraiganTheworkshophasalwaysbeenmyfavouriteeventoftheyear.TheoneheldonFebruary22ndatthePolishHallwasanoccasiontoberemembered.Overninetypeopleparticipated(arecordinmymemory)andtwentyofthosewerebeginners(anotherrecord).Lotsofnewfacesbutit’salwaysgreattoseeourregularfriendsfromWindsor,Sarnia,Goderich,Kitchener,Peterborough,St.Catherines,andIknowtherewasatleastonepersonfromtheBlairGroup.Callawelcomedus.MaryLouandMargAllenweretheregistrars.Janethadherusualstoreinthefrontfoyer.AndreafromCindreaBrookewasonstagesellingherCelticJewellery.EverytimeIlookedupsomeonewaseitherperusingorbuying.Iwasintriguedandsheevenmanagedtosellmeoneofhercreations.MoiraKoruswasgiventhejobofteachingthemoreexperiencedclass.ShetaughtusTheSoundofHarris,FleurdeLyonandFortyandCounting.Shemanagedtogetsomeoftheadvanceddancersscratchingtheirheads.Whatalovelyday,afunday,andawonderfulchallenge.Thefoodwasgoodasalwaysandverywelcome.TheworkshopChairthisyearwasHelenBellandwhatajobshedid,itwillbehardtoimproveonthisone,maybeweshouldkeepheronthejobpermanently…

MemberUpdates:

InSympathy:FleurDolphin:Formerbranchmember,FleurDolphin,diedonFebruary3,2020,inher84thyear.FleurandherhusbandJohn(deceased)weremembersofthebranchfrom1998to2003.VisitationandfuneralservicewereonFriday,February14th.OursympathytothefamilyandfriendsofFleur.

GetWellWishes:

MaryHowardhasrecentlyundergonesurgery.Wewishheraspeedyrecoveryandlookforwardtoherreturntodancing.Wemissherquietencouragingways.

Congratulations:ElizabethKing:OnFebruary28th,duringaLondonKnightsGame,ElizabethwasrecognisedforhermanyyearsofvolunteeringwithSt.JohnAmbulanceasaFirstResponderandforheryearsofmilitaryservice.ElizabethsaysthatshestartedwithStJohnAmbulancein1979andisnowaSeniorMemberhereinLondon.Shecontinuestovolunteerwiththem.CongratulationsElizabeth!

BursaryFundHaveyoueverconsideredattendingaworkshophostedbyanotherBranchorbecomingqualifiedtobeaScottish Country Dance Teacher? Our London Branch has a bursary fund to help you pay to attendworkshopsorteachercandidateclassesandexams.Youmayapplyfortheworkshopsubsidyonceinatwoyearperiod.Allthatweaskinreturnisashortwrite-upfortheReelNewstotellothermembersabouttheexperience. LettersofapplicationshouldincludeworkshopdatesandregistrationfeesandbesubmittedtotheBranchSecretary,BarbJessop.

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Annual General Meeting: May 13, 2020:TheAnnualGeneralMeetingwillbeheldatCarlingHeightsCommunityCentreat7:30p.m.Allmembersareencouragedtoattendandparticipate.ThisisyoursecondbestplacetoinfluencethedirectionofourBranch.Ofcourse,thebestwayistobecomeamemberofthemanagementcommittee. Youwillreceivetheagendaandcopiesofreports21dayspriortothemeeting.

NominatingCommittee HelenBell

LookingforawaytolearnmoreabouthowtheBranchrunsandhaveinputintodecisions?Wellhere’syourchancetobepartoftheCommitteeofManagement(COM).Fortheupcoming2020/2021year,wehaveseveralpositionsopenasoftheMay2020AGM.Theyareasfollows;

£ ViceChair-Open-1year,thenChairfor2yearsand1yearPastChair£ Secretary-Openfor2yearterm£ Treasurer-Open-JohnBirowilllethisnamestandtobere-electedfora2yearterm£ MembershipSecretary-Openfor2yearterm£ SocialConvenor-Open-CallaMahonwilllethernamestandtobere-electedfora2yearterm

TheCommitteeofManagementismadeupoftenvolunteermembers.It’sessentialtothesmoothrunningand financial health of the London Canada branch. Members look after a variety of tasks that we, asdancers, often take for granted. The Committee meets once per month and the work is not onerous.Considerbecominginvolved.You’llbeprovidedwithajobdescriptionoutliningthedutiesforthepositionand lots of friendly help and support. The Nominating Committee is being formed and will soon beapproachingmemberstofillthepositions.Inthemeantime,ifyouareinterestedorhavequestions,pleasefeelfreetoapproachmeoranymemberoftheCommitteeofManagement

SpecialOpportunity:RSCDSLondonCanadaBranchWebsiteAdministratorNowisthetimetotakeadvantageofbecomingournewWebsiteAdministrator!ScottMacCroneissteppingawayfromthispositionwherehehassharedhisexpertisegenerouslyforanumberofyears.ThankyouScott!Thewebsiteadministratorresponsibilitiesare:

ü reporttothePublicityCoordinatorü link/connectwiththewebsitehostsite/personü postcurrentmaterialonthewebpagesthatincludesocialevents,newsletters,photos,dancebriefs

andbrochures/flyersü maintaincurrentcontactinformationü maintaincurrentclassinformationincludingthesyllabusü providelinkstootherScottishCountryDancegroupsandRSCDSHeadquartersü postanyotherpertinentinformationasrequestedbythePublicityCoordinatorü ensurethatoutofdateinformationisdeletedfromthewebsite

ContactGayleFrisaatgayle.frisa@execulink.comoratclass.

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UpcomingBranchEventsMarch27,2020 SpringSocialDance TheMarchSpringDancewillbeheldattheElmwoodPresbyterianChurchHallat7:30p.m.Allareencouragedtoattendandputsomespringinoursteps.The flyerandbriefsareonthewebsiteorclickonthe links in thisannouncement. Don’t forget to wear your “springiest” outfit. Prizesawarded.Costis$7.00forall.

April24,2020 BallPracticeOpentoeveryone.CometotheFridayeveningclassat7:30p.m.atElmwoodPresbyterianChurchHalltopracticethedancesfortheBall.Costis$0.25formembersoftheLondonBranch;$7.00fornon-members.May2,2020 AnnualLondonBranchSpringBall Anotheropportunitytocelebratespring!TheBallwillbeheldatthePolishCombatants’HallwithScotchMistprovidingthemusic–aneventnottobemissed.Manydancesontheprogrammearesuitableforalldancers.Youcanfindtheflyerattheendofthenewsletterorlinkhere.DanceBriefsareavailableonourwebsiteorclickhere.PleasenotethedeadlinetoregisterisApril24,2020.

June20,2020 StrawberrySocialDanceOurannual celebrationof summer’sarrival.Prizes for thebesthat sodonyourbestor funniesthatandcome have fun and feast. Cost is $15.00. Please RSVP to Helen Bell at (519)471-0623 or email atbellpoppy20@gmail.com

July15,2020 SummerDancingCometoCarlingHeightsCommunityCentre(thereisairconditioning)tokeepinshapeforSeptember.Costis$5.00.

August19,2020 SummerDancingCometoCarlingHeightsCommunityCentre(thereisairconditioning)foranotheropportunitytogetreadyforSeptemberdancing.Costis$5.00.

CALLINGALLBANNERS PeterAuksiInonlyafewweekstheBranchwillbeholdingitsSpringBallinthePolishHall.Todecoratethisausterespace,weneedyourclanbanners!ThesecolorfulremindersofScotland'ssocialhistorybringadramaticflairandvividsymbolismtothehall,enliveningitsbarewalls.NootherdancegroupinNorthAmericahasourcollectionofbanners(16lastyear!)…out-of-towndancersalwayscomplimentourvexilollogicaldisplay.PleasebringyourbannerstoPeterintheweekortwobeforetheBall,eitherattheWed.orFri.nightdanceevenings,andtheywillbedisplayedproudlyonMay2nd.

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UpcomingOutofTownEventsMarch28,2020 BorderCitiesWorkshop(Windsor)furtherinformationhere.March29,2020 OttawaSpringTeaDanceSponsoredbytheArdbraeScottishCountryDancers.

ContactElaineHoagardbraedancers@gmail.com.[www.ardbrae.org] April2–December2020 AilsaCraigresumesweeklydancingonThursdayeveningsat7:30p.m.at160

MainSt.AilsaCraig.Admission$2.00/class.TaughtbyMarieMcLennan.Enjoyair-conditionedcomfort(NoclassMay21stastheQuiltsofSpainShowison–forallyouquilters)

April4,2020 VancouverIslandSCDWorkshop&Ball.Detailsonline.April6,2020 TartanDay.April6,2020 ScottishHeritageDayatRuthvenParkinCayugaOntario.$69.00forday

(Special$20DiscountforScottishGroups)Fordetails,contactGerryDuncanGroupTourManager,DestinationSouthCoastat226567-0047,andmentionourgroupforthediscount

April18,2020 SarniaSpringDanceatSt.Andrew’sPresbyterianChurch,2:00p.m.Details.April18,2020 VancouverIslandSpringFlingSocial.Detailsonline.DanceBriefsMay9,2020 WestTorontoBall.5:30p.m.tomidnight.MusicbyScotchMist.DanceBriefs

availableonline.May15–17,2020 SpringFling(Toronto)July19–August2 TACCandidateCourse&Examination;Units2,3,5Calgary.DetailsJuly24–26 TeachersConferenceWeekend&AGM.Calgary.Details.July26b–August2 TACSummerSchool,Calgary.Details.November7,2020 Kitchener-Waterloo&BlairSCDgroupBalltocelebrate“100YearsofScottish

CountryDancing”inWaterlooRegion–60thAnniversaryofthefoundingoftheKitchener-Waterloogroupandthe40thAnniversaryofthefoundingoftheBlairgroup.Moredetailstocome.

Vacation Planning:

It is time to start planning your vacation. You may wish to consider bird watching in Scotland where the elusive Scottish Hummingbird has been spotted after many years of concern that it might be extinct. Join the hordes of enthusiasts to get a view of this remarkable specimen. A recent photo will assist you in identifying this rare bird.

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General Notes on Scottish Country Dance Etiquette and Expectations: WithourBallapproaching,itistimelytoreviewsometipsonetiquette.ScottishCountryDancingisfirstandforemostasocialactivity.Basicetiquetteenhancesourenjoymentofthedancing,whetherweareataBall,aninformaldanceoraclass.• Itiscustomarytodancewithmanydifferentpartnersthroughouttheevening.• Ifaskedtodance,donotbeafraidtopolitelydeclineifyoudonotknowthe

dance.DonotfeelpressurediftheMCiscallingfor"onemorecouple".• Iftheprogramindicatesadanceisrecommendedforexperienceddancers,sit

thatoneoutifyouareabasicdancer.Don'tletotherdancerscoerceyouintodoingadance,justtomakeupasetoryoumayfindyourselfinthedilemmaofthesefellows.

• Experienceddancers,pleaserespectbasicdancersanddonotaskthemto“filloutaset”ortodancecomplicateddances.

• Formsetswhenthedanceisannouncedorthebandsignalsthenextdancebyplayingtheopeningbarsofmusic.Itisgenerallyconsideredrudetotakethefloorbeforeoneofthesetwosignalshasbeengiven.Walkontothefloorwithyourpartnerforthedance.

• Trytogetintosetswithdifferentpeopleandindifferentareasofthehall,ratherthanjustmakingupsetswithyourclosefriends.

• Alwaysjoinsetsfromthebottom,neverdashintothemiddleorthetopofasetthathasalreadyformed.• Ifyouarethetopman(orcouple),itiscustomarytocountoffthecouplessoeachdancerknows

whethertheyarefirstcouple,secondcouple,etc.Ifaftercountingoffthesetsyoufindthatmorecouplesareneededtocompletetheset,holdupfingersindicatinghowmanycouplesareneeded.TheMCwillusuallyannounceit.

• Ifadanceisbeing"briefed"keepquietandlisten,evenifyoualreadyknowthedance,oryouaresittingout,sothatotherscanhearwithoutdistraction.

• It'sgreatifyouareabletohelpyourpartnerorotherdancersinthesetthroughadance,butbejudicious.Noonelikestobebossedaround,andnoonewantstobepushed.

• Thebestwaytohelpisthroughsubtletechniqueslikemakingeyecontact,goodhanding,etc.• Attheendofeachdance,waitforthebow/curtseychordtobeplayedbeforeapplauding.The

musiciansputconsiderablecareintothebeginningandendchordstoenhanceourenjoymentofthemusic.

• Aftereachdanceiscompleted,thankyourpartnerandtheotherdancersinyourset.Itisalsoconsideredpolitetoescortyourpartnerfromthedancefloor.

Mostofall,smileandenjoyyourself!It'scontagious!MuchhasbeenwrittenonSCDEtiquette.Foradditionalinformation,pleasegoogle“EtiquetteforScottishCountryDancing”.IrecommendCalgary;TwinCities;Lethbridge;ScotCountryDancer;Scottishdance.netand,forahumorousapproach,tryFrankfurtGermany’s10CommandmentsofSCDEtiquette.AdaptedfromarticlebyLaraFriedman-ShedlovwhowasinspiredbyandpartiallyadaptedtheguideontheEdinburghUniversityNewScotlandCountryDanceSocietywebsite

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Tartan Day APRIL 6th JanetSchreiberIn Canada Tartan Day is on April 6 tocommemorate the signing of theDeclarationof Arbroath April 6, 1320 at the Abbey ofArbroath by eight Earls and 40 Barons torequest that Robert theBruce be recognisedasthelegitimateKingofScotland.Hehadnotbeen recognised after the Battle ofBannockburn in1314byeitherKingEdwardII of England nor the Pope. This Declarationwas being sent to the Pope. At the time thePope desired peace between Scotland andEnglandso thatbothkingdomscouldhelp ina crusade to the Holy Land. The declarationsought to influence him by offering thepossibility of support from the Scots for thecrusade if theyno longerhad to fearEnglishinvasion.Thiswashighpoliticsofthetimes.According to the Scottish Banner April 2003Jean McKercher Watson is “The Mother ofTartanDay”. Jean is connected tomyselfandBob Watson. Bob is not sure of hisconnection, but Jean told him that it wasthrough theWatson name.My connection isgenealogically confirmed by DNA, Jean’s 3rdgreat grandfather Farquhar McKerchar andmy 2nd great grandfather Finlay McKercharwere brothers in Rannoch PerthshireScotland. Bob and Linda Watson and I eachhave an oil painting done by Jean. FarquharMcKerchar immigrated toPictouNovaScotiain 1833 and raised his family there. Jean isvery interested in all things Scottish, in

particular, McKerchar and Stewart FamilyHistory.ImetJeaninHalifaxatthegatheringof the Clans in2001. Laterthat year weboth travelledto KinlochRannoch atdifferenttimes.It took nearly18 yearsbefore it wasdiscoveredexactlyhowwewereconnected.Jean started towrite letters in the 1980’s tomanypeople inNovaScotiawhowouldhelpher to establish a day that would recognizethe Scots for what they have done both inScotlandandtheworld.InMarch1986JeanreceivedaletterfromtheNovaScotiaGovernmentthat ithadpassedabill torecognizeApril6asTartanDay in theprovince. Within a short period of timeTartan Day on April 6 was recognized byBritish Columbia, Alberta andOntario. OtherprovinceshavesincecreatedTartanDayJean still lives in Halifax and is active in allthingsScottishandtheartcommunity.Ihavemade copies of the original article and theDeclaration of Arbroath in the Banner ifanyoneisinterested.OnApril6wearyourScottishheritageandtartanproudly.

THE CHAMPAGNE OF CLOTH PeterAuksiQuick. Name Scotland’s most famousexports (apart from bonnie lassies andbrawny lads). Scotch. OK. Tartan cloth,shortbread, andmarmalade. Good so far.Plus Shelties, Westies, and Skye terriers.But you’ve forgotten Harris Tweed!!!Over a million yards are produced mostyears.‘Tweed’itself(i.e.,clothinthetwillweave) derives in all likelihood from ashortened form of the Scottish words‘tweeled’and‘tweel’,spinningtechniques

as developed in the areas around the riverTweed in the Scottish Borders.Harris Tweed has been a lifelongpassion for me, beginning in myteens. I’msure Iwas theonlykidinScarboroughhighschoolsinthe60’s with three Harris Tweedsportscoats(OK,Iwasweird).Mypassionderived frommyparents,who as 1930’s mid-Europeansvalued all things British – the

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tailoring, Liberty of London silks, andHarrisTweed.What’s so special about Harris Tweed? Itscolors, its rough-surfaced toughness (liningswearoutbeforethecloth),andthemethodofproduction, which is protected by Englishlaw.Youhavetobeginwiththerightsource,namely,Cheviotsheep(black-faced) foundinthe Outer Hebrides, north west of themainland,especiallythe islandsofLewisandHarriswhichareactually joinedbyanarrowstrip of land and so are called ‘the LongIsland.’Cheviotsheepproduceathickerfibreandrougherwoolthanitsrival,Merinosheep(from Australia and New Zealand), Merinosproducing superfine fibres. Combing andcarding (with a wire brush) help to makesmoother,finer,longerfibresoutofthehairyyarn. If fibres can be untangled into astraighter form, the job of the spinner iseasier.Tweeds made from local Scottish Cheviotwool appear around 1830. The rivals areLintonTweeds,madeinnorthernEnglandbyémigréScottishweavers,andDonegalTweedand Irish Thornproof Tweed, also beautifulandunique.ThehomespunclothfromHarrisand Lewis, with their rough texture alsocontainwhite,brittlekempfibres,whichcan’tbe dyed and appear as tiny white strands,especially against a dark fibre background.Kemp fibres can be removed, but theymakethe surface of Harris Tweed more eye-catching.Onlya2004visittotheLongIslandprovedtomehowthe ingeniouscolorings inHarrisTweedoriginateinthelandscape-thebrownandgrey frompeatandgranite,blackfromsoilandfungus,thewhiteofsand,snow,and clouds, purple and blue from heather,sky, andwater, and the green and yellow ofnature’sgrowths.Tobringthispointhome,in2013IanLawsonproducedabeautifulphotobook entitled “From the Land Comes theCloth,” juxtaposing photos of cloth andlandscape.Lookforit.Theterm‘tweed’emergedinthe1830’s.TheRomantic era saw the cloth as a protestagainst industrialization and urbanisation.The rough cloth being hand-made by rustic

weaversonLewisinthe1880’salsoprovidedaruralpopulationwithmuchneededincome.Alexanderthe6thEarlofDunmore(1804-45)inheritedHarris fromhis father in1836.Hiswife Catherine, Countess ofDunmore (1819-86),playsakeyroleintheearlyriseofHarrisTweed, for she saw the part that localweaving could play in the economy of theisland,andorganizedtheweaversintoawell-paid,unified,andclevermarketingforce.Thesecondgreat influenceontheriseofScottishtweed in the 1880’s was social. Tweedbecame the wardrobe for elite Britishsportsmen in the 1880’s, who came toScotland for salmon fishing, golf, and hiking.Tweed thus came to be associatedwith eliteand traditional lifestyles, and embodiednostalgia for traditional, long-passed rurallife.Imitatingthecolorsofthelandscape,andblending 2-4 colors into one cloth madetweed ideal for hunters seeking camouflage.While tweed thus had strong masculineconnotations, in the 1880’s it also began toappealtowomenincreasingly.Inthenameofequality,womenbeganwearingHarrisTweedfor sportswear (riding, golf, hiking, archery)and by the 1920’s, 30’s, and 40’s, roughtweeds had begun also to suggest bohemianlifestyles aswell as promoting a dishevelled,relaxed,orinformallookwithitssoft,drapingair.By1940CocoChanelhadpressedHarrisTweed into red, orange, rose, and lilac suitsforwomen.Since1910HarrisTweedhasbeenprotectedbyitstrademarkorbandin1993,byanActofParliament. “Harris Tweed means a tweedwhich has been handwoven by the islandersattheirhomesintheOuterHebrides,finishedin the Outer Hebrides and made from purevirgin wool dyed and spun in the OuterHebrides.” Barra and Uist are included aspartsoftheOuterHebrides.The20thcenturysaw many ups and downs in the tweedmarket. In1933twoandahalfmillionyardswere sold to the British market, and a halfmillion overseas. In 1970, over five millionyards were sold; in 1975, two and a halfmillion; and in 1986, over seven and a halfmillion yards, a record. The past ten yearshaveaveragedaroundoneandahalfmillion

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yardsperyear. Iaskedatweedmerchant inOban about the reasons for the decline, andhe simply said: “Central heating.” Otherrecent changes, from the 1990’s onward,include a new double-width loom, pedal-driven; traditionally, Harris Tweed waswoven single width, i.e., 29 inches. After1935, regulations were also amended topermit the use of mill-spun yarn. Andchemicaldyesbegan to replacenaturalones.In 1918 there were 1500 spinners and 200weaversonHarris itself. In2013 therewereonly about 140 weavers in the OuterHebrides. Three mills dye, spin, and blendCheviotwooltomaketheyarn,whichisthensent to weavers to be handwoven at theirhomes,mostlyondouble-width looms. Someyoungerweavers are entering the craft, butthenumbersarenotlarge.IndecliningmarketsHarrisTweedisturning,ingeniously,tonewoutletsandproducts.OnecangetNike trainers trimmed in tweed,hatsand caps, wallets, and cell phone cases,purses,handbags,andlaptopcarriers.Onmy2004 pilgrimage to the Long Island I methundredsofCheviotsheepblocking theroadas they enjoyed the heat of the sun-warmed

asphalt; visited the Harris Tweed mill inCarloway, where I observed a 75-year oldweaver skilfullyweaving dozens ofbeautiful patternsfor books ofsample swatches;started identifyingthe weaving sheds(abouthalfthesizeof a single-carCanadian garage)next to hundredsofhomes;andwasblown away by anexquisite deeppink bolt of tweed that the sophisticatedlandladyofmybedandbreakfast showed tomeasIleft.“It’sforaContessainMilan,”shesaid. To celebrate the Countess of Dunmore, withall of her foresight, imagination, and energy,you can dance “The Countess of Dunmore’sReel,” recently devised by Deirdre McCuish-Bark,whowasraisedonHarris-Lewis. Itis,still,thefinestclothintheworld.

Committee of Management for 2019-2020 Chairperson MargaretCampbell mecampbell517@gmail.com 519-644-2265PastChair HelenBell bellpoppy20@gmail.com 519-471-0623Secretary BarbJessop jessopbj@gmail.com 519-951-9206Treasurer JohnBiro jbiro2@teksavvy.com 519-681-9823MembershipSecretary GailRichter gailrichter.rscds@rogers.com 519-473-0447SocialConvenor CallaMahon callamm@hotmail.com 519-432-5027NewsletterEditor PatriciaMcClelland prmcclelland@gmail.com 519-495-2826PublicityCoordinator GayleFrisa gayle.frisa@execulink.com 519-666-0847Archivist DorothyDrew Dorothy.Drew.SCD@gmail.com 519-472-3610TeacherRep MarieMcLennan marwil@sympatico.ca 519-471-5493