Scottish Country Dancing in Watford

Welcome

We were founded in 1919 to promote Scottish Culture in the Watford area. Our main activity is Scottish Country Dancing.

We have weekly general dancing classes on Thursday nights 8pm to 10pm in Rickmansworth at All Saints’ Church, The Green, Croxley Green, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 3HJ. Before the general class we are running a beginners class. Please email us to find out more.

There are also Monday classes which focus on supporting beginners, and improving technique. These classes are held at Nascott Wood School and cost £6 per class. If you want to join contact Stu Kreloff by email

We have a Burns Night in January, a Caledonian Ball in March, and other activities.

We can provide entertainment at your party/anniversary/event. Our team of dancers will demonstrate the energy and elegance of some traditional Scottish dances. Then our caller will lead you and your friends through some Scottish party [ceilidh] dances which everyone can enjoy. No special skills needed and no age limit - just join in!

Contact us by email to see how we can help you.....

• Our Dances
• The Caledonian Ball
• Our Thursday Classes
• Burns Night and other events
• Our History

Contact us by email
How to get to All Saints' Church

Informal and formal dances through the year

Our main dance event is the Caledonian Ball, held on the 3rd Saturday of March (unless Easter is early) at the Allum Hall in Elstree. About 100 dancers attend. Before the Covid Pandemic we had a a drinks reception and buffet style food, but for the timebeing we are asking our guests to bring their own food and refreshments. The band is central to the success of the evening. Over recent years we have hosted Ian Muir of Prestwick, Sandy Nixon, Ian Robertson, Strathallan, Catherine Fraser and Duncan Smith.

We have informal dance at Christmas and at the end of June, with live music. About 40 to 50 people attend these dances.

General Classes and Beginners Classes

Thursday Classes have resumed and are held at
All Saints’ Church, The Green, Croxley Green, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 3HJ. (Map)
Thursdays from 8.00pm - 10.00pm.
Classes cost £4.

Come and join in, we are friendly and welcoming.

The class programme is simple and easy. Please bring your own hand sanitiser and the £4 fee in exact change. Classes are led by senior members, and guest teachers. Beginners are welcome.

Winter / Spring Term Dates: Thu 6th Jan 2022 - Thu 7th April 2022. Dates of Summer Term tbc.

There are Monday classes for beginners and improvers at Nascott Wood School. If you want to join please contact Stu Kreloff by email

Celebrate Burns, join us for Walks, come to talks and outings

Our main annual "non dancing" event in our Burns Night. There is a traditional meal including a Haggis starter, the Immortal Memory, and some short poems. After all of that it is time for Ceilidh dancing.

Other events include a President's Evening, a Talk and a Walk. Details can be found in the Newsletter

Event	Date and Time	Venue
Burns Night	Thursday 27th January 2022, 8pm to 10pm All Saints Church Hall. Ceilidh type event with food	contact Stuart Kreloff by email

We've been dancing since 1919.

Mr William Park Porter founded the society in 1919.

Interviewed in 1941, he said “I thought there was room for a Society to gather together the Scots and their families in and around Watford and I discussed the matter with Mr Ramsey. The result was a talk in my house in Upton Road at which Mr Ramsey, Mr Scully, Mr James Mackie and Mr Scott were present.

The outcome was that Mr Scully agreed to act as Secretary pro tem and invitations were sent to all known Scots to meet in Bucks room to further the project.

The meeting took place and it was agreed to for a "WEST HERTS SCOTTISH SOCIETY" to promote social intercourse among Scots in the district, and to encourage a knowledge of Scottish Literature and Music among members and especially the families of those members.

The society went on steadily growing and proving by the interest of the members, that it filled a place in the Community"

Mr William Porter