A small but delightful gathering was held in Hall on the evening of Saturday 2 December for the 27th annual St Andrew’s Ball. Pupils dressed in their finest gathered at 7pm to enjoy an evening of Scottish Dancing reels.
I think that Scottish dancing is such a fabulous, unique opportunity that the School offers and is a brilliant idea.
A Sixth Form pupil
Miss Louise Batty, teacher of Mathematics gives an account of the evening:
Before attending a Scottish Dancing event there is always apprehension and an assumption that it will be uptight and awkward. After the first few reels you quickly become hooked. Pupils collected their dance cards and, on one of the coldest nights of the year, huddled by the radiators to book their partners. At 7.15pm they were joined by staff and guests. Great respect was shown to people wearing kilts and troos, particularly those in family tartan.
The reeling began at 7.30pm with Strip the Willow, the Dashing White Sergeant, and the Eightsome Reel. With a small group of Sixth Form pupils, new to reeling, it was impressive how quickly they took to the dances. With smiles on their faces they set, turned, and weaved in and out to the wonderful tunes played by The George Buchanan Scottish Dance Band.
A light starter, main course buffet, and dessert were served to break up the dances, punctuated by the Duke of Perth and a brave attempt at Postie’s Jig. We paused before an encore of the Eightsome Reel to remember the great Robert Bogdan (teacher of Geography, hockey coach and House tutor for forty years) and how he had started Scottish Dancing at Charterhouse and ran it for many successful years. The pupils attempted some particularly elegant stag dancing in his honour. After a progressive Gay Gordons, a flirty Hamilton House, and a very energetic Reel of the 51st, we finally gathered to sing Auld Lang Syne before going our separate ways. Fun was had by all.
It was the perfect way to end the year.
A Sixth Form pupil
