THE THISTLE SOCIETY, WIGAN, FESTIVAL OF S.C.D. FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
by Margaret Rowe, Monday, 6th June 2011
In 1986 I became the 10th President of the Thistle Society, Wigan. I felt that I would like to organise some event for the children. Kathleen and I worked together towards this and the first Festival was held in February 1987 at the Mill at the Pier in Wigan.
The Mill held 300 people - dancers and spectators and left just enough floor space for the children to dance, even though some of them danced around the pillars! Four years later we out grew this venue and went to the Monaco Ballroom in Hindley, this held up to 500 persons. It had a lovely floor, but we were seated on three levels - a bar level, a balcony and an upper level.
Four more years and we had to restrict the size of the groups coming to 25 persons per group and only letting extra seats out when some had been returned. Again we looked for another venue, but there was nowhere big enough in Wigan so we looked further afield - Blackpool Tower Ballroom, the Guild Hall, Preston and the Floral Hall, Southport.
In the first year at Southport we had 800 people attending. Since then we have been at the Floral Hall in Southport, apart from 2008 when it was being refurbished and we went to the newly constructed Leigh Sports Village. Although the numbers, are not quite as large these days they continue to do well, although I never know until I get entry forms as to what is happening, and often it is half way through January when I have the spectator numbers and I am able to draw up the seating plan.
I feel the time has now come, after 25 very happy years, for me to sit back and hopefully hand the reins over to a group of enthusiastic and willing people to continue the Young People's Festival . At the end of the Festival I was presented with a beautiful engraved vase and Kathleen with a special letter opener. We shall both treasure these and remember the years spent working together for this great event.
At a meeting held on the 13th February 2011 there were five people present - Kathleen Merchant, Janet Reynolds and myself from The Thistle Society and Isobel Bristow and Margaret Allan from Clitheroe Caledonian. We also received apologies from four other people. An outline of what was involved in running the festival and the financial situation was discussed. The outcome was a very happy one. I am delighted to hand over the Festival to Isobel and Margaret who will work together as Chairperson and Secretary, and Janet will take over as treasurer. Other people will be asked to help in certain areas.
At the end of 25 years the bank balance is in a healthy state. It was agreed that an amount of money, in recognition of the first 25 years of the festival should be given to a children's charity, this to be chosen by Kathleen and myself.
The name of the festival will be changed to Young People's Festival of Scottish Country Dancing . I hope that the festival under its new leadership will continue to flourish and to receive the support which I have been given over the years. I wish the organisers success in all their plans for the future. I look forward to receiving my invitation and being able to sit back and watch with interest all the changes that take place.