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.Dances from RSCDS Book 54, Sunday 7 September 2025, 2-5pm
An introduction to the the dances from the newly published RSCDS Book 54 at Rawson Hall, Bolney, RH17 5PF.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 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
Brighton Branch 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 the 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
Afternoon class for experienced dancers, a challenging programme taught by Mervyn Short. With live music by Judith Muir.From 2pm to 5pm at Mannings Heath Village Hall, RH13 6JU. Sponsored by Brighton Branch.
2022 Valentine Dance, 19th February
At 7pm at the Hurstpierpoint Village Centre Main Hall again, with people bringing their own food etc.. Tickets £5/£2. See printable programme and My.Strathspey Dance List.
2022 Improvers' Afternoon of Dance, Sunday February 6th
Brighton Branch sponsored Scottish country dance class taught by Mervyn Short, with Judith Muir on the accordion. Held at 2pm at the Rawson Hall, The Street, Bolney RH17 5PF. Tap for the Flyer for Mervyn's Improvers' class.From here on I've included only the most notable events
2021 Annual General Meeting, 10th SeptemberThis was held in the usual way, followed by social dancing. Annual subs was once again no more than 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. Asked under what conditions they would likely want to dance together, seven people were ready to dance as soon as the government allowed 10 people to dance together. 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 a chance 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 Beginners' Class, Sunday 27 October
An afternoon class for beginners run by Mervyn Short with accompaniment from Judith Muir, who plays keyboard in the Craigellachie Band.
At Rawson Hall, Bolney RH17 5PF. Book by email to Fran. 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
At the Rawson Hall Bolney, a very popular programme of challenging dances for experienced dancers organised by Fran and taught by Mervyn Short, with dances from Imperial Book of Scottish Country Dances, Vol 2 included. See Frans's flyer and also Fran's report.
2019 Valentine Dance, 16 February
At a NEW VENUE 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.
Dances from RSCDS Book 52, 2 September 2018, 2-6pm
Mervyn Short introduced the dances from RSCDS Book 52 at Rawson Hall, Bolney RH17 5PF, £5, sponsored by the Branch. See Fran's Book 52 Flyer.
2018 Afternoon Beginners' and Improvers' Course, 23 September, 2-5pm
A sponsored afternoon course with Mervyn Short for those wishing to learn basic steps and formations or improve their Scottish Country Dancing Skills.
At Rawson Hall, Bolney, RH17 5PF, £5 - see Fran's 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!s
2017 Christmas Ceilidh, Friday 15 December, 7:30
Our "bring-a-friend" Christmas ceilidh his year saw some splendid contributions including a bagpipe medley, amusing poems, singing and other entertainments.
Afternoon course for Beginners or Improvers, Sunday 10 September 2017, 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
A bring-a-friend Christmas ceilidh at Patcham Memorial Hall. Preston Park U3A SCD group, Rodmell group and other friends joined us for country dances, ceilidh dances and highland dance displays, music from the Bothwell Boys and many other entertainments.
Class for Teachers, Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 November 2016
RSCDS Brighton was glad to use its Pat Harvey Scholarship Fund to support this weekend course, 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). Brighton Branch's 25th Anniversary Strawberry Tea Dance on Sunday 19 June 2016, 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 at Patcham, 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.
Afternoon of Dance to Evaluate New Dances, Sunday 1st September 2013, 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.
