The History of BSRC

The seeds were sown at Oxford University over 50 years ago where Fergus Bateson learnt Scottish Country and Highland dancing. Back in Berkhamsted he and younger brother George, along with Chris and John Blaxter and Jeremy Webster formed a Steering Committee which decided to form a Scottish Country Dancing Club. Membership was created by mustering their friends and relations. It included the three Totten sisters (Ann, Bridget and Rose Mary), Alison Beck as well as Fergus and George’s younger twin brothers Robert and Simon.

Under Fergus’s direction, the Club started to meet on Saturday nights in the town’s Victoria School and then in Park View School. It then met in Lord Brownlow’s private waiting room at the back of Berkhamsted Railway Station – a cold and dirty place! The Club finally moved to its present base of Potten End Village Hall in 1959 and by 1971 the evening meeting had moved to Tuesdays.

Our first Highland Ball was held in the Christmas holidays of 1952 with Scott Skinner’s Band. With most Club members at university this holiday period was preferred. In 1964, mid-January became the favoured time for the Ball.

From its first Highland Ball, the Club has extended its activities to include Spring Dances, Special Club Nights and, in the Summer, Garden Dances at Members’ homes. In addition, Club members have given many dancing demonstrations for local organisations over the years.

The venue for our first Ball was the Kings Arms Hall, Berkhamsted. Since then many different venues have been used but Ashlyns School, which was used for our 40th Ball, has become the favourite.

The Club continues to meet regularly on Tuesday evenings at Potten End Village Hall.  Our membership comes from a wide area of Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, from Amersham to Watford and Hemel Hempstead.  All are welcome to join us there and at any of our special events.

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