St Andrew Group, Paphos

Countdown time...

Well here we are. Our final weeks of dancing before the summer break. 2 more Monday sessions and only one more Tuesday class before we hold our final dance celebration, AKA the 'June Jamboree', at the Elea (if we get enough people that is).
If I'm honest, I am ready for a break, and that is despite being away myself for nearly 3 weeks ;-) - or maybe it's because of that.
It's so easy to drift away from things and forget how much you enjoy them - but you also need to recharge batteries from time to time.
P and I are lucky enough to be going to the RSCDS Summer School this year, it's a huge - once a decade treat - so I'll definitely recharge my 'enthusiasm batteries' there; and I'm more than a little chuffed to have been asked to lead one of the walk-through afternoons; I'm aware that, for the more renowned teachers in the Scottish Dancing world, 'walk-throughs' can be a bit of a chore, but at such an international event it's a real thrill to be asked. They can make a huge difference to a lot of people's enjoyment of the evening dances - and at the most selfish level, it gives me permission to spend time learning the dances myself - not that I really need much encouragement!
Re:- the June Jamboree - so many people are away, injured, ill or perhaps just not willing to pay that much (though it is cost price for the food and it's always very good), we have struggled with ticket sales - we are hoping to go ahead but we may have to call it off - if you haven't realised it's so close and have been dithering as to whether to come. Come! It's a genuinely lovely night whether you dance or not, and a few more bums on seats will ensure we go ahead. :-) See the future events page for contact details if you are interested. And if you are away until the autumn - have a lovely summer and we restart on Tuesday 1st September.

It's already time to start preparing for our summer end of season dance - our lovely June Jamboree is on Tuesday 23rd June. We use the amazing terrace of the Elea Golf Resort, where we enjoy a superb finger food buffet and then dance under the moonlight with the sea sparkling in the distance. Real Cinderella stuff - only hopefully everyone keeps their shoes on :-) Anyone can join us whether they have come to the classes or not; even if they don't want to dance a step, but just want to enjoy the food, company and atmosphere this is a really special night. Invite family and friends - they'll all have a magical evening. See records of our previous events at the Elea via Past Events and contact us for tickets any time from now on.

Well the weather is improving and this week the Monday class clashed with a beautiful Cypriot Easter Monday so I was fully prepared for smaller numbers. We did have some apologies; but despite the missing few we ended up with a perfect '8'. We welcomed back a much missed returnee, as well as welcoming an enthusiastic and talented newcomer. Strange how things work out. It was good to have a reason to go back to basics and a bit of step practice is never wasted- our new dancer seemed to enjoy herself and promised to return for more, which is great for the group.
Tuesday was great fun too. Some of the dances were challenging, as we had returnees to this class too who hadn't done them before. A steep learning curve for some, but a real sense to achievement as they got them worked out. The request went out that they be repeated next week - as indeed they will be, all that hard work can't be wasted! Well done to everyone, I look forward to seeing the perfect versions next week!

Phew, So that's that. After a week of not feeling 100%, and struggling to get enthused by the event, Saturday's showing of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo was an excellent evening.
So often it's the case that the things you look forward to aren't as wonderful as you hope, but the events you aren't so bothered about end up being excellent. In our website go to 'Past Events', and click on the poster to see more information and a few more pictures from before and at the beginning of the evening (it was too dark to take shots later on during the show). This was a very successful evening with 33 attending (more than enough for this venue), including several ex-dancers who now can't make it to the dance classes- thanks go to Gavin who organised the buffet and everyone else who helped, including John who very kindly assisted organising the tables in the morning. We had wondered if this was the sort of occasion people still wanted us to organise, but although not many current dancers were able, or interested, in coming, it proved itself to be a popular and highly appreciated by others - and the Tattoo was, as always, magnificent.
Now onto the next challenge - June Jamboree anyone?

And now it's April - what happened to March? I blinked and it was gone, it's such a busy life we lead and there's so much going on; time simply flies I just can't keep up.
Happy Easter - for those of us celebrating this week, and Καλο Πασχα (Kalo Pascha ) to those of us celebrating next week.
First off - thanks to everyone who has enquired how we are and sent their best wishes re. the hostilities yonder. To be honest we feel frauds because, although there was a bit of initial excitement, you honestly wouldn't know there was anything going on (though we know there is) it is totally carrying on as normal over here - unless you happen to be flying somewhere via Dubai of course.
The weather has been more of an issue, it's incredibly variable, which is reflected in the class numbers though we have never been without a set, sometimes even two. The classes themselves have been great fun - Monday's - supposedly 'beginner's' sessions have even sometimes morphed into advanced classes. The sessions are enjoyed just as much by more experienced dancers and sometimes they are the only ones there so we abandon the footwork and go for a few schiehallion reels & 3 couple set & links instead.
As usual there are things being organised for the group beyond just the dance classes. Our next event is a showing of last year's Edinburgh Military Tattoo at the Phoenix Club next Saturday (11th April) - it's only €10, including a buffet meal, so don't forget to contact us and book a place if you fancy coming along, you definitely don't have to be Scottish to enjoy the evening; We'd appreciate knowing that you want to come by Wednesday though, as this gives the kitchen time to shop!

It's been a while since I've had the time and/or energy to blether but with the world going mad around us I count myself very lucky that I can look back on such a fabulous time dancing in Scotland. Only a couple of weeks ago I was dancing in Pitlochry at the RSCDS Winter School, with people from all corners of our world. I then managed to return home safely, unaware - as were all of us - that I had returned with only a few days to spare before all the current flight cancellations.
Many prayers are being said for a quick end to the conflicts changing the lives of so many all around us. It seems Cyprus, and even Paphos, isn't going to be a peaceful place in the immediate future (though only those of us who need to travel are likely to be much effected - at least at the moment). Amongst this madness we are glad of spring bringing back our lovely warm weather (yes, I know we'll be complaining of the heat soon) and walking through carpets of anemones last weekend emphasised that the world is still a lovely place.
Another thing that cheers us all is the dance classes. A super afternoon's class today, well done everyone for tackling some very new formations. They all came together in the end - so, it's a challenging programme tomorrow, but the Monday dancers have lead the way, and although I do have a few simpler alternatives available in case everyone's brain cells decide enough is enough, I look forward to seeing everyone there, keen to give it a go - you can't be worrying about anything else when you're concentrating on getting a Rondel right!

Burns & the Haggis are now toasted - and it was good - so if you want to see more, please check out the Past Events page on the website and you will find a link to more pictures. They are initially a record of the transformation of the Club to our Burns' Night venue. (Thanks to the hard work of John, Grace, Susanne, Pete, David, Me & a little bit of Kristina - with a stunning result.) Followed by records of an excellent evening. The Haggis was piped in by John with Pete bearing it in - and it was a truly delicious smell as he did so, even more so when Ken had completed the ritual disembowelling!
The food this year was outstanding - the only complaint being that there may have been just a bit too much Cranachan! Not that it stopped some people having 2 helpings.
Jean & Jo in the kitchen did a fabulous job on the night, but thanks also have to go to Gavin for the Cranachan prepared earlier in the day, Sheila for preparing all of the veg, and Val for her mastery of Steak and Guinness pie.
All the 'table monitors' did an excellent job - nothing was dropped, everyone got the correct food and it was piping hot - and everyone knew exactly when, and by whom, they were being served - it's a system we'll definitely be repeating - make the guest work! Why not?!
Once the meal was over it was time for the 'serious' bit of the evening - so thanks to June for running the bar. :-)
Doug & Ken gave masterful and very funny speeches, I (Janine) being unlucky enough to have to follow them with the 'Reply from the Lassies' - though that was well received too (thanks everyone).
Community singing followed - hmmm, we may have to work on that one a bit, though it was enjoyed, for all that (tacking a bit of Burns in there ), and then we cleared some of the tables (miraculously, without a glass being broken) and with the dancers in the room we managed Waratah Weaver; Ring of Brodgar; De'il Amang the Tailors and Butterscotch & Honey, before rounding the night off with an enthusiastic Auld Lang Syne.
Since we never sit on our laurels - which must be a most uncomfortable position anyway - there are things we'll learn from this year's event, but overall we are pretty happy with how it all went... certainly all our guests were.

Two more dance classes are now under our belt and numbers are very gradually increasing - it was especially good to welcome back dancers this week who had been ill/injured prior to, or during, the Christmas break - we're a tough lot - and it's just as well!
First, a call out to the Monday class who tackled 'Trip to Timber Ridge' with it's 'double triangles', and 'corner pass & turns'. These were two completely new formations for most of the class and, even for those who'd done them before, it's been a while since they'd tackled them.
It was an excellent class and everyone really did well to grasp such a lot in such a short time. We only covered 2 dances - but with the brains boiling over that was enough!
On Tuesday we did manage to cover most of the programme but with relatively few dancers it didn't give anyone much rest. Next week I've included a few more familiar, or at least less challenging dances, so our more experienced dancers might get the chance to rest - if they want to of course.
In the meantime it's BURNS NIGHT this Saturday. Let's take advantage of the cooler time of year - it's a chance to dress up and feel special; I'm looking forward to seeing everyone in their kilts & posh togs. The dress code is probably closer to 'cocktail' than 'ball gown', but wear whatever makes you feel special, it's an 'over the top' evening - after all - Burns enjoyed the high life himself for all he celebrated the lives of the workers! For those who are joining us, doors open 6.30pm and it's a prompt 7pm start - if you aren't in your seats by then you might get mown down by a manic Haggis trying to escape the wailing of the piper... just saying!

Okay, so it's a slow start but actually a very good one. On both Monday and today we only just managed to field a set, but nevertheless we've managed to do some excellent dancing. Monday is advertised as a 'beginner's' session but the only people who made it to the class this week were all experienced dancers - so it was a great opportunity to revise some of the more challenging formations in the Strathspey repertoire, namely, the All Round Poussette (AKA the Diamond Poussette), The Tournée and The Knot; the knot isn't very challenging to learn, but isn't a very common formation - at least in our repertoire so it was a new one for most of the class.
Tuesday's numbers were blighted by sickness & injuries as well as the family commitments that are more likely at this time of year, but it was lovely to welcome back a few people who had been missing from our ranks before Christmas - and we know that most of the others are due back in the near future. Having said that, having lower numbers meant we again had more time to learn new dances/formations - so we covered the 3 couple 'set & rotate' in the super dance 'Festival man' with a useful amount of thoroughness and replaced the Strathspey 'Letham Ladies' with 'Chequered Hall' to introduce, 'The Knot' to even more people. An excellent night - we even sold more Burns Night tickets- don't forget we'll have to know final numbers fairly soon, so don't delay contacting me if you want to reserve yours.
Roll on next week.

AND NOW IT'S NEXT YEAR .... Well here we are in 2026, a little bit fatter, a little bit slower and a little less fit and hopefully keen to get back to dancing - to remedy all that, while having a lot of fun on the way.
It is actually hard to grasp that the Monday class restarts tomorrow (and of course the Tuesday class the day after that). Even though we had several weeks of low numbers, and even cancelled classes before Christmas, it still seems amazing that we are back already. I have plenty of ideas for this year's classes though and I know people are looking forward to them so it'll be great to get going again.
First:- don't forget our Burn's Night is less than 2 weeks away (note to self - don't panic!) so we need you to get, or at least reserve, your tickets this week please, pretty please (remember - the cooks need time to catch the Haggis); if you aren't a Scot you might assume that this isn't the event for you, but it's a great occasion whatever your nationality - you certainly should do it at least once in your life, and don't worry you aren't expected to do anything other than eat and be quiet!
Burns' Night (we are well aware that the 'proper' date is 25th January - but you'll find there are events held practically every day for weeks before & after, and we decided to get in early) is celebrated all over the world and not just in Scotland - there are many variations on the theme - after all they've been held for 225 years and things do change. As a Scottish Group we try and keep to a more traditional format - though including the ladies in 'person' rather than just in 'mind'. And because we ladies will be there, there'll also be the opportunity to dance at the end, if people wish to do so.
See Pete for tickets at either of the classes, or contact me to reserve your tickets - my details are on the website contact page or check out the poster. We'd appreciate your meal choices when you book, and you can find them on our Future Events page.
Who says January is a slow month? Hah! - I look forward to seeing you soon.