Scottish Country Dancing in Potten End

Berkhamsted Strathspey & Reel Club is a club for Scottish country dancing, who meet on a Tuesday evening in Potten End for a couple of hours dancing – it’s always a fun evening with uplifting music and some gentle exercise. Scottish Country Dancing is not as high impact as Highland Dancing, so no Highland Flings!

An MC will talk everyone through the dances each week – there are a huge number of dances with new ones still being written, often to celebrate something like a special anniversary or wedding. The group dance a mix of slower dances, the Strathspeys which are more stately, and faster dances, like the Jigs and Reels. The Strathspeys often provide a bit of a rest to catch your breath.

They run a beginners’ class too, as not everyone was born in Scotland, or brought up dancing!

Claire Brown joined the beginners class about 10 years ago and has had lots of fun since: ‘The club is friendly, and no one expects perfection. The Club was founded by four brothers in 1952 – one of the four still dances with us on a Tuesday evening, a testament to the health benefits of dancing.’

Almost a month ago now, they gathered for their annual charity dance, raising funds for Lindengate (a mental health charity), which has a lovely garden in Wendover. Claire said she used to visit Lindengate with her Mum who had dementia – they run sessions for people with dementia which include a variety of indoor and outdoor activities which her Mum enjoyed.

At the annual dance, they danced some old favourites, as well as some dances which were less familiar – it’s great to have a mix.

‘We were lucky enough to have live music from local musician Chris Oxtoby to inspire our dancing! As is traditional at our charity dance, we had a break halfway through the evening to share some food and conversation, as well as having a raffle to add to the funds raised for Lindengate. There were some lovely items donated by local businesses: thanks to Berkhamsted Sports, Berkhamsted Bookshop, Vinegar Hill, The White Horse Inn, Rivertown Brewing, Woods, Cook & Butler, Ramblers Farm Shop, Fells Wine Merchants and Lindengate.’

The group is currently looking forward to its annual Workshop in November where they hone their skills with sessions for dancers of all levels. They will finish off the day by having a short social dance before going home to rest their weary legs.

They will also have some fun Christmas activities: a social dance at the start of December which is geared to newer dancers, as well as having a club Christmas party and then a Ceilidh over the Christmas period – it’s good to get together to shake down some of the Christmas food!

Claire adds: ‘When we get to 2025 there will be Burns Night to enjoy and then we will be looking forward to our annual ball held at Ashlyns’ School in February. There is a lot going on for those who are keen to dance!’

Classes for beginners will resume in January, as will the social dancing. If you are interested please call/email Jon Mole on 07956 572925 / classes@berkhamstedreelclub.org or visit the website at berkhamstedreelclub.org.