Page 15 - RSCDS Toronto Golden Jubilee Book

Social Groups
Erin Mills, Tuesday Class
The Erin Mills Tuesday class was formed in 1980. Previously, beginner dancers had met on the early part of Friday evenings as part of the original Erin Mills group, but Douglas Stephen felt that they could benefit from a longer class on Tuesday evening.
Doug taught the class for almost ten years before moving to Vancouver Island and passing it on to the present teacher, Keith Bark. Keith accepted the teaching responsibilities for the begin- ners’ class while working on his teach- ing certificate. It continues to flourish as a beginners’ class, but also has many long-standing dancers. Many of the dancers also attend the Friday Erin Mills classes as well as other groups in the Greater Toronto Area.
Keith and Deirdre Bark
The class has been featured on televi- sion both as a performing arts function and as a health and fitness activity. Many dancers have also performed regularly at the Georgetown Highland Games during the opening ceremonies.
Several of the Erin Mills dancers have served in key positions on the Toronto Association Committee, including that of Chair, and continue to support its activities. In addition, a number have gone on to become teachers and serve on the Teachers’ Association (Canada) as well as start new dance groups.
Although the Tuesday class operates independently from the Friday class, under the Erin Mills name, the tradition of co-operation and support continues. The Friday class usually hosts the major events, featuring live bands when-
ever practical, and welcoming visiting teachers from the United Kingdom, the United States, and other locations.
Wesley Clindinning and Douglas Stephen, both now living on Vancouver Island, were excellent teachers and organizers. Both the Tuesday and Friday classes at Erin Mills acknowledge their great contribution to Scottish Country Dancing and do our best to follow their example and match their enthusiasm for our favourite pastime.
. . . Keith Bark
Fallingbrook
I have been teaching the Fallingbrook group since 1987. This group of danc- ers has been in existence since 1958 and must be one of the longest-existing groups in the city. The first teacher was Ken Inglis, with Vi Knight acting in an administrative position. Classes were held in the church hall of Fallingbrook Presbyterian Church, Scarborough.
Over the years the following teachers have taught the class – Ted Doran, Frances Gray, Don Robertson, Vi Knight (who also served for several years
on the Toronto Branch Committee as Membership Secretary), Lalla Anderson, and finally myself.
The venue changed several times from the church to Regents Height Public School, then to Norman Cooke Public School, but the name "Fallingbrook" remained. Classes are now held at Westview Presbyterian Church in
East York on Friday evenings. Over
the years, the Fallingbrook Dancers have been asked to dance at church affairs, civic centres, malls, seniors’ residences, Royal Canadian Legions,
the SkyDome, Harbourfront, Word on the Street, Canada Day, and Victoria Day celebrations, to name but a few. The Fallingbrook dancers, along with other Toronto groups, participated in the Scottish World Festival, which was held at the CNE in 1976. Since the Toronto Association established a demo team, any requests for dancers are now passed on to them. I wish to thank Frances Gray for all her help in giving me the necessary information to fill in the blanks of the early beginnings of the Fallingbrook group.
. . . May Macfarlane
Glenview
Glenview started at Havergal College
in 1979 under the leadership of Bill Stoddart. The original five couples were Gloria and Ray Fraser, Jan and Grady Jacobs, Sheila and Naish McHugh,
Mary and Alistair Stewart, and Mary and John Stirling. The group moved
to Glenview Presbyterian Church in 1981 and to Lawrence Park Community Church in 1984 where, by 1993, membership reached 103. The group flourished under Bill’s fine teaching, and it was his idea to have an elected committee run the group. The members formed many friendships, held many parties, and cherished joyful times such as ski weekends at King City, house parties after dances, and picnics with dancing and singing. Bill said, "Life is nothing but picnics, parties, and balls."
Don Bartlett
Ken Inglis
Fallingbrook Social Group – Teacher, May Macfarlane (5th from left)
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