Page 10 - RSCDS Toronto Golden Jubilee Book

David R. Grant, 1975 - 1977
In 1975, the Chair of the RSCDS, Toronto Branch, David Grant, was contacted by the Scottish World Festival Tattoo to see if the RSCDS would like to participate in the 1976 CNE presentation. After a meeting held with the leaders of all of the social groups, eigh- teen of them agreed to provide a total of twenty-eight teams.
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Chairs
James Kynoch, 1973 - 1975
During my tenure, Branch membership reached 1054 and the Tartan Ball attracted 660 dancers. To accommodate those num- bers, dinner was served as usual in the Concert Hall but the dancing was moved to the much larger Canadian Room. At the 1974 Tartan Ball, I presented all the past Chairmen of the Toronto Branch with illuminated Scrolls proclaiming them as honorary life members of the Toronto Branch.
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George Conolly, 1983 - 1985
George was very good at thanking others for any deeds done for RSCDS, and many times had thanked and praised Tony Hauth, chef in the Royal York, for his excellent dinners, especially dessert. After doing so once, he added, "But I do love rice pudding!" From that time on, whenever George was at the Royal York—George had rice pudding! Even after Tony had retired! George was very honoured.
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Jack A. Millar, 1985 - 1987
It was very rewarding over the years to serve
on the various committees that organized social events through the year that so many dancers (young and not-so) were able to enjoy. My great- est pride was derived from being piped into the ballroom at the Annual Tartan Ball and sitting at the head table, looking out over all the splendor and tradition on display.
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Frances Gray, 1977 - 1979
During my Chairship, the one hundredth anniversary of the Canadian National Exhibition occurred. It was my privilege and pleasure to represent the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, Toronto Branch
as a guest of the CNE. I joined the Earl of Caithness and his Lady, together with Donald Campbell, the president of the Clans and Scottish Societies of Canada (CASSOC), for a reception and dinner.
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Dr. William Brunton Ramsay Stoddart,
1979 - 1981
Bill was born in Galashiels in 1929, raised in Ayr, and emigrated to Canada in 1946. He and his wife Barbara Bates started Scottish Country Dancing in 1966 at the suggestion of a neighbour, Mary Yeigh. To dancing, he brought an enthusiasm that he carried into all aspects of his life.
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Gordon S. Hamilton, 1987 - 1989
A highlight of my responsibilities as Toronto Branch Chair was to welcome Dr. Alastair MacFadyen, then Chair of the RSCDS, as Guest
of Honour at the 1988 Tartan Ball. Alastair arrived in a severe winter storm and, on Thursday evening, conducted a class at Hodgson School, which, in spite of heavy snow, was well attended.
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Robin Wood, 1989 - 1991
While Vice Chair, I suggested to the executive that we should have a November Workshop. The idea was accepted and I organized the first two Toronto Workshops. In those first two years, we had just over a hundred participants and
I'm glad that the November Workshops are still being held.
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Alasdair Robertson, 1981 - 1983
I was Chair for the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Toronto Branch, and there were many celebrations for that event. We did a publi- cation made up of items from most of the Toronto area groups, about 45 at that time. The Tartan Ball was special for the occasion and Lieutenant-Governor John Black Aird and his wife were our Guests of Honour.
By that time, Jo and I had been active in Toronto Branch for nearly twenty years, so enjoyed visiting the various groups.
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Andrew Collins, 1991 - 1993
Anecdotes from my term as Chair of the RSCDS Toronto Association:
• Witnessing the 512some. Mairi and I gave up our places on the field to ensure that all dancers in the branch and from far and wide had the opportunity to be a part of this record-setting event. I owe a debt of gratitude for the success of the event to the late Esther Goodfellow.
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