RSCDS Brighton Branch
Our Past Scottish Dance Events
This page lists RSCDS Brighton's Scottish dance events, from 2011. Our current programme is also online.2026 East Preston Dance, Saturday 20th June, 6pm
Evening dance with Arun East u3a Scottish Country Dancing group, at The Barn, East Preston BN16 1LP. Dances range from easy to more difficult. Cake, biscuits and a hot drink will be available in the interval - please bring your own mug. Entry £5.See Fran's Flyer and cribs and diagrams.
2026 Strawberry Tea Dance, Sunday 14th June, 3pm
A Sunday afternoon dance with scones, jam, fresh strawberries and cream and adances recapped. Tickets £8 (4). At Angmering Community Centre, BN16 4FU.
See A4 flyer / programme and cribs and diagrams (thank you Lee).
2026 Annual General Meeting, May 1st
Our AGM saw Diana stepping down after many years on the committee, Sheila voted in as Vice Chairman, and Fran joining the committee. Annual subs is again no more than the HQ fee. The AGM was followed by social dancing.2026 Valentine Dance, 14th February, 2pm
With Rod Burrows MC, all dances recapped. at Rawson Hall, Bolney RH17 5PF. Tickets £7 (non-dancers £2) at the door, drinks and biscuits provided, byo cup.See printable programme and cribs, diagrams and videos.
2025 Hallowe'en dance, Saturday 25th October, 2:15 (New Time)
TThemed afternoon dance to recorded music with Rod Burrows at Hurstpierpoint Village Centre BN6 9UY. £5, byo mug etc.See printable flyer and interactive programme.
2025 Dances from RSCDS Book 54, Sunday 7 September, 2-5pm
An introduction to the the dances from the newly published RSCDS Book 54 at Rawson Hall, Bolney, RH17 5PF.2025 Strawberry Tea Dance, Sunday 1st June, 3pm
A cheerful Sunday afternoon dance with scones, jam, fresh strawberries and cream. Dances all recapped and most walked through. Tickets £7. At Angmering Community Centre, BN16 4FU.See A4 flyer / programme and cribs and diagrams (thank you Lee).
2025 Annual General Meeting, May
Our AGM saw Ray step down from the committee after supporting the branch for many decades, and Ananda joined the committee. Our new Bank account is finally working and we can accept card payments with our new reader. It was agreed by majority (8-1) that we will try and hold all weekend dances in the afternoon from now on. The AGM was followed by social dancing. Annual subs is no more than the HQ fee, as usual.2025 Spring Fling Events in Brighton, April 11-13
RSCDS annual Spring Fling international weekend of Scottish country dance for young people was in Brighton in 2025.
See Summary for locals listing events at BHASVIC including:
* An informal dance for everyone, Friday evening, with Ian Robertson and his Band.
* Spring Fringe Workshop for over-35's, Saturday 10am-3:30pm, for advanced dancers over 35, £10 for RSCDS members, taught by Mervyn Short with music by Ian Robertson (see 2025 Fringe Workshop flyer)
* A formal dance for everyone on Saturday evening, with Strathallan Scottish Country Dance Band.
2025 Beginners & Improvers' Afternoon, Sunday 30 March, 2-5pm
Sponsored class with Mervyn Short, aimed at people who know the basic steps and figures but wish to improve their technique, ability and knowledge in a fun and friendly atmosphere.At the Rawson Hall. £8, byo mug.
See Flyer for Mervyn's Improvers' class.
2025 Valentine Dance, 15th February at 2 pm
With Rod Burrows MC at the NEW time 2pm and NEW venue Rawson Hall, The Street, Bolney RH17 5PF. Tickets £6 (non-dancers £2) at the door, byo cup.See printable programme and cribs, diagrams and videos.
2024 u3a Dance, Sunday 24th November 2024 at 2pm
Join Arun East u3a Scottish Country Dancing group for easy Scottish Country Dancing at The Barn, East Preston, with hot drinks and cake, £5.See Fran's Flyer and cribs and diagrams.
2024 Hallowe'en dance, Saturday October 26th, 7pm
Themed dance to recorded music with Rod Burrows at Hurstpierpoint Village Centre Trinity Road Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex BN6 9UY. £5, byo mug etc.See our spooky printable flyer and interactive programme.
2024 Strawberry Tea Dance, Sunday 9th June, 3pm
A cheerful Sunday afternoon of Scottish country dancing light tea of scones, jam, fresh strawberries and cream.
Dances recapped. Tickets £6, byo cup. At Angmering Community Centre in Foxwood Avenue, Angmering, BN16 4FU.
See A4 flyer / programme and cribs and diagrams (thank you Lee).
2024 Improvers' Afternoon of Dance, Sunday April 14th
Sponsored Scottish country dance class taught by Mervyn Short at the Rawson Hall, The Street, Bolney RH17 5PF. Tap for the Flyer for Mervyn's Improvers' class.2024 Annual General Meeting, Friday 12th April, 7:30pm
held at the
Patcham Memorial Hall and followed by a free evening of social dancing. The agenda included a vote on setting up our new bank account.
2024 u3a Dance, Saturday 20th January, 7pm
Arun East u3a dance at The Barn, East Preston with cake, biscuits, tea, coffee cakes and biscuits available in the interval. £5 at the door but book in advance.2024 Annual General Meeting, 12th April
Our AGM was followed by social dancing. Annual subs is no more than the HQ fee, as usual.Hallowe'en dance, Saturday October 28th 2023, 7pm
An informal, themed Scottish dance to recorded music with MC Rod Burrows at Hurstpierpoint Village Centre Trinity Road Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9UY. BYO mug or cup, food if wished and utensils. A costume suggestive of Hallowe'en optional. Entry £5 (non-dancers £2).Spooky printable programme and interactive programme for cribs and videos.
RSCDS Book 53, Sunday September 3rd 2023, 2:30-5:30
Brighton Branch were pleased to sponsor Mervyn Short's introduction to the Scottish country dances in RSCDS Book 53, at the Rawson Hall, Bolney.
You can watch all the RSCDS Book 53 dances on YouTube (opens in a new tab or window).
2023 Strawberry Tea Dance on Sunday 11th June
Cheerful Sunday afternoon Scottish country dance with recaps and a light tea of scones and jam with fresh strawberries and cream. At Angmering Community Centre, BN16 4FU.
£6 (children and students £3)
See interactive programme and A4 printable programme.
2023 Annual General Meeting, 12th May
Our AGM was followed by social dancing. Annual subs is no more than the HQ fee, as usual. Hall hire has gone up in price but we will not increase class fees.2023 u3a Dance, Saturday 15th April, 7pm
Arun East u3a dance at The Barn, East Preston with cake, biscuits, tea and coffee available in the interval. £5 at the door but book in advance.2023 Valentine Dance, 18th February, 7pm (Brighton)
Valentine Dance at the Knoyle Hall Knoyle Road, Brighton BN1 6RB.Tickets £5 (£3). Beverages and biscuits provided in the break. See printable programme.
2022 Hallowe'en dance, Saturday October 29th, 7pm
An informal, themed Scottish dance to recorded music with MC Rod Burrows at Hurstpierpoint Village Centre. People brought food if wished and utensilsand costumes suggestive of Hallowe'en £5 (non-dancers £2). Spooky printable programme and interactive programme.2022 Special General Meeting, Friday September 22, 7:30pm
A meeting before class where current and planned banking arrangements were explained and agreed upon unanimously.2022 Strawberry Tea Dance on Sunday 19th June
Cheerful Sunday afternoon dance with recaps and a light tea of scones and jam with fresh strawberries and cream. At Angmering Community Centre, BN16 4FU. £6 on the door, (children and students £3). See interactive programme and A4 printable programme.2022 Challenging Afternoon Class, Sunday, 12th June, 2pm-5pm
Experienced dancers were taught by Mervyn with live music by Judith Muir at Mannings Heath Village Hall, RH13 6JU. Sponsored by Brighton Branch Pat Harvey Fund.From here on I've included only the most notable events
2022 Valentine Dance, 19th February, 7pm It was good be at a dance again but people now bring their own food and drink etc.. Tickets £5/£2. See printable programme and My.Strathspey Dance List.2022 Improvers' Afternoon of Dance, Sunday February 6th, 2pm Brighton Branch sponsored Scottish country dance class taught by Mervyn Short, with Judith Muir on the accordion. Tap for the Flyer.
2021 Annual General Meeting, 10th September This was held in the usual way and followed by social dancing. Annual subs was once again limited to the HQ fee. We plan to start running dances from February (Valentine's dance) in 2022.
Classes and dances were suspended during CoVid restrictions.
2020 Annual General Meeting
Because of lockdown the AGM was held using email. When asked, 7 people indicated readiness to dance as soon as the government allowed but most people will wait until the risk of infection is removed by vaccination. A few would wait for the risks reduced by effective treatment or fast testing.
2020 Afternoon of Challenging Dances, Sunday 2 February, 2pm
Fran and Mervyn class for experienced dancers who know formations to learn more interesting Scottish country dances. At the Rawson Hall Bolney RH17 5PF
with Mervyn Short and Judith Muir (live music!)
Entrance £5. See Fran's Report
2019 Afternoon Beginners' Class, Sunday 27 October
Class taught by Mervyn Short, musically accompanied by Judith Muir, who plays keyboard in the Craigellachie Band.
See Fran's Flyer and Fran's Report
2019 Hallowe'en dance, 26 October 2019, 7pm
An informal, themed dance with MC Rod Burrows at Hurstpierpoint Village Centre Trinity Road BN6 9UY.
Tickets £5 plus finger food to share, with just enough in the way of gently spooky costumes and food.
See interactive programme for cribs and videos or printable programme.
2019 Afternoon of Challenging Dances, 15 September, 2-5pm
Dances for experienced dancers including dances from Imperial Book of Scottish Country Dances, Vol 2, taught by Mervyn. See Frans's flyer and report.
2019 Valentine Dance, 16 February (new venue)
At the Hurstpierpoint Village Centre Trinity Road BN6 9UY (opposite large free car park). £5 plus a plate of Finger Food to share.
See printable programme
or cribs and diagrams.
2018 Dances from RSCDS Book 52, 2 September, 2-6pm
Mervyn Short introduced the dances from RSCDS Book 52 at Rawson Hall, Bolney RH17 5PF, £5, sponsored by the Pat Harvey Fund. See Fran's Book 52 Flyer.
2018 AGM, Friday 18 May, 7:30pm
We were delighted to give an RSCDS Branch Award to Chris and Lee Pratt for their long-sustained and outstanding services to Scottish country dancing in Crawley, Horsham and Sussex. Congratulations Lee and Chris!
2017 Christmas Ceilidh, Friday 15 December, 7:30
Our Christmas ceilidh this year saw some splendid contributions including a bagpipe medley, amusing poems, singing and other entertainments.
2017 Afternoon course for Beginners or Improvers, 10 September, 2-5pm
Mervyn taught basic steps and formations. At Clayton Village Hall, BN6 9PJ, £5. See Fran's Flyer.
2016 Christmas "bring a friend" Ceilidh, Friday 9 December, 7:30pm
We welcomed Preston Park U3A SCD group, Rodmell group and other friends to our Christmas ceilidh at Patcham, and enjoyed country dancing, ceilidh dancing and highland dance displays, music from the Bothwell Boys and many other entertainments.
2016 Weekend Class for Teachers, 26/27 November
RSCDS Brighton was glad to sponsor this weekend course using its Pat Harvey Memorial Fund, commissioned by Mid Sussex Scottish Country Dance Group and taught by Mervyn Short. We used Albourne Village Hall, BN6 9DU.
You can read Fran's report here (with photographs).
2016 Brighton Branch 25th Anniversary Strawberry Tea Dance, Sunday 19 June, 3pm
A cheerful dance at with recaps and a light tea of scones and jam, fresh strawberries and cream at Angmering Community Centre. Tap for the printable programme or the interactive programme with links to dance videos.
2013 Christmas Ceilidh, Friday 20 December, 7:30-10:15
Scottish dancers and friends enjoyed our Christmas ceilidh at Patcham. Dances were fun with highland dance displays, songs, live music and sketches between dances and small contributions of finger food in the interval.
2013 Wee Ball, Saturday 2 November, 6:15pm - the last in the series
Our last Wee Ball in 2013 took place at the spacious Shoreham Centre with its a lovely sprung floor. We enjoyed dancing to to the Craigeivar band who played with their usual uplifting lively enthusiasm.
Carol and Bob provided and excellent buffet. Tickets were £15 (children, students and non-dancers £7). See the online programme, including links to cribs and videos.
2013 Afternoon of Dance to Evaluate New Dances, Sunday 1st September, 2:30-5:30pm
A chance to try out new dances submitted for the RSCDS book of dances book 48 and vote on your favourites. Among this succession of Strathspeys Rod added a quadrille!
2011 Branch Christmas ceilidh evening
We invited our friends and relations, including children. The ceilidh was well attended and a great success.
2011 Wee Ball, Saturday 19 November, 6:15 for 6:45pm
Dancing to the music of Craigievar, with MCs Kathy Lawmon and Pam Johnstone, we moved this year to the Shoreham Centre which has a large hall with a sprung floor, and was a great success.
We were grateful to Charlie for piping us in and to Carol and Bob for our excellent supper. Tickets £14 (£7 children). See Programme online and enjoy the dances on YouTube videos!
See also our current programme.
