Promoting Scottish Country Dancing in Surrey

In the early 1930's many Scots in the north-west Surrey area used to meet at the Walton Playhouse for dancing and drinks at the bar, and in October 1933 a group of them founded the Walton-on-Thames & District Scottish Society.  They organised socials which in the first few years focused on lectures, debates, and a small glee club.

 

During the war the Society went on hold although members continued to visit each other in their homes, thus keeping the Society alive.  In 1946 it re-emerged and has flourished ever since.

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The widened activities have included taking children to the pantomime, family picnics, Hallowe'en parties, Burns Nights, ceilidhs, boat trips, the formation of a mixed choir and a drama group, annual donations to charities, and, of course, Scottish country dancing.  In 1970 the name was changed to the Addlestone & District Scottish Society.  Meetings have been held in different venues in Walton, Weybridge, Addlestone, New Haw, Chertsey, Ottershaw, and currently Byfleet.  In the 50's and 60's a private bus collected members throughout the district, brought them to meetings and returned them home. 

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Membership has fluctuated over the years and currently stands at over 40.