Page 22 - RSCDS Toronto Golden Jubilee Book

Social Groups
Finlay Dancers
Finlay Dancers
Other demonstration dances, such as the Weston Medley, were devised by Georgina herself, frequently with the creative assistance and observations of members of the group. The creativity
is perhaps best illustrated in a perfor- mance at the Hamilton Gala Day, 1988, which combined two RSCDS dances, one in a longwise set followed by one in a square set then back again to fin- ish in a longwise set.
In addition to demonstrations, the broader social aspects of the group were never neglected. In 1991, 1995, 1997, 2000 and 2000, members of the group attended St. Andrews Summer School. Murder Mystery nights held in 1995 and 1996 were also a resound- ing success as fund-raisers to help send dancers to St. Andrews.
Throughout its thirty-year history, the group continued to attract new mem- bers and extended its interpretation
Despite its passing, the influence of
the Finlay Dancers will continue for years to come. Its members are active in other social groups, and remain good friends, ensuring a strong bond between social groups in the Toronto Association. Over ten members have earned their teaching certificates. Many teach in children’s groups and social groups in the Greater Toronto area,
as well as teaching in Toronto branch classes and workshops. As Finlay danc- ers and dancers as a whole, we owe
a debt of gratitude to the generosity, creativity, and enthusiasm of Georgina Finlay.
Trinity
The Trinity Scottish Country Dance group was started in 1973 at Trinity College, University of Toronto, by John Hurd, Professor of New Testament at Trinity College. Most evenings since 1973 we have danced in the lovely Seeley Hall at the college.
The group welcomed beginning danc- ers for the first three or four nights
each fall. From the early days Trinity also had summer dancing with guest teachers, one of the few groups to do so. As well as participating in branch activities, members of the Trinity group took part in the CNE Tattoo of 1978, the 512some Reel at the CNE in 1991, and the Guinness World Record attempt at the SkyDome in 1993. Members also participated in various demonstrations, including Burns Day programs at the Royal Ontario Museum in1996 and 1997.
In 1982 it was suggested that the
group hold an end-of-year ball. The
first Trinity Assembly took place in May, 1982, in the Music Room of Hart House, University of Toronto, with Prudence Tracy as the Ball Chair. For many years the Bobby Frew Four provided our live music. From 1983 the Assembly was held in Strachan Hall of Trinity College with various group members chairing the committee. In 1996, for the first time, the Assembly experienced a short- fall in its finances and in 1997 we held a joint "Toronto Assembly" with the Calvin Group, still in Strachan Hall. This arrangement ended in 2004. In 2005 we held our own Trinity Spring Dance.
John Hurd, approaching retirement from Trinity College, announced that the 1989-90 session would be his last year of teaching the Trinity group. He was honoured at the May 26, 1990 Assembly. Vi Knight was the teacher of the group until 1997, followed by Fiona Philip, who left in May, 2006, to pursue further studies. In September, 2006, David Booz became our teacher.
"The Trinity Group was (in a sense) founded by Miss Milligan," John Hurd says. "She examined me for my first certificate. When the exam was over and she announced the results to us one by one, she said to me, ‘Now, Professor Hurd, you should go and start a group!’ Somebody must have told her of my teaching title. She in turn thought of universities as natural sites for SCD groups. Left to myself, I might never have taken that step, but inspired by her command, I went about starting the group that continues at Trinity College."
. . . Joan Wood
of "young dancers" to ensure that no member was ever forced into retire- ment. Georgina joked about when you were forty you were no longer a young people, but as we had birthdays after this age the number kept going up. By the time the Finlay Dancers disbanded in 2006, members of the group includ- ed two generations of dancers.
Helen & John Hurd
West Acres
The West Acres Group was started
in 1993 by Jessie Bryden at the West Acres Seniors Centre in Rexdale as part of the centre’s Social Club. The group meets on Monday mornings from 10:30 to noon and is open to retirees, seniors, and folk who don’t go out to work on Monday mornings. We have a very friendly, enthusiastic and welcom- ing group of about thirty-five men and women with usually about three sets weekly.
Jessie, who had also taught the Bloorlea Group for many years and in the early 1980s the Mississauga Group, infused the dancing with so much fun, great music, and social spirit that her dancers accomplished more than they thought possible and her end-of-season
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