Wembley and District Scottish Association

Summer Social 2018

 

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Held at Church of the Ascension, The Avenue, Wembley from 8pm on Monday 21st May 2018.

 

Desert Island Dances

featuring our President in Waiting:

 

Keith Jones

 

In preparation for Keith assuming the reins at the AGM next month, tonight will be dedicated to learning more about our new President. With our very own Caroline Hamilton sitting in for Kirsty Young, tonight should be both informative and enjoyable as we work through some of the dances that has shaped Keith's rise to prominence in the Association.

 

Below is a transcript of the show:

 

CAST

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Continuity announcer: Graham Hamilton (GH)

Interviewer: Caroline Hamilton (CH)

Guest Keith Jones (KJ)

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GH: and now on BBC Radio 4 it’s time for Desert Island Discs. This show has been running since 1942 and in all that time there have only been 4 presenters: Roy Plumley, Michael Parkinson, Sue Lawley and the current incumbent, Kirsty Young. Unfortunately, she can’t be here tonight, so the show will be hosted by Caroline Hamilton.

 <Desert Island Discs theme tune>

CH: My castaway tonight is Wembley President-Elect Keith Jones. Dancer, sportsman, diving instructor, rock climber, keep fit instructor, Chartered Quantity Surveyor - Keith has fulfilled many roles in his life but he stands on the brink of probably his most prestigious position ever. Welcome to the desert island Keith.

KJ: Thank you Kirsty…Sue, err sorry, Caroline, it’s a pleasure to be here.

CH: We’ll explore more of your background and touch on some of the other areas in which you have excelled later in the programme, but let’s dance your first choice now, which is what?

KJ: The first dance I think I would do after surviving a shipwreck and finding myself marooned would be “Joie de Vivre” -  joy in everything and a ready smile that sums up the Association perfectly and will create the right atmosphere on my desert island.

CH: Four couple sets then please for “Joie de Vivre”.

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CH: So Keith, I would now like to move on to your sporting prowess. Over the years you have participated in many sports, most notably football, golf and rock-climbing. However, I understand you have now have a new passion.

KJ: I certainly do Kirsty. Over the past few years I have got more and more involved in snorkelling and diving and have been on numerous trips both abroad and around the UK, including to some of the islands off the coast such as the Isle of Lundy and the Isle of Wight.

CH: Which brings us on to your next dance Keith. Tell us about it.

KJ: While I am on my desert island I would like to be reminded of these less tropical isles, especially the Isle of Lundy where I will be diving on the 30th June. I am also looking forward to having a big burger in the tavern at the top of the isle – truly a MacDonald of the Isle.

CH: Ok, let’s have three couple sets then please for “MacDonald of the Isles”.

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CH: Over the years Keith you have represented the Association at a number of major events, including the Scottish Tattoo at the Royal Albert Hall.

KJ: Yes Sue, that was an amazing experience – I never dreamt I would get the opportunity to dance in front of an audience of over 4,000 people.

CH: Which I think brings us neatly on to your third choice of dance, Keith.

KJ: Yes, the last big festival we did was the international dance festival Rikudiya” in Camden where we danced a medley of dances that finished with Scott Meikle. The auditorium was packed with an enthusiastic crowd which erupted at the end of our demo – it was quite a moment and this dance brings back memories of the amazing reception we received.

CH: Partners and sets please then for “Scott Meikle

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CH: Moving on Keith, your work as a Quantity Surveyor has taken you all over the UK and you’ve even had offers of jobs abroad. It must be confusing trying to balance your career as President, your work as a QS and your sport and diving activities?

KJ: It’ll be a challenge Michael, but I think I have the experience and temperament to keep everything in perspective and maintain a good Equilibrium in my life.

CH: Which brings us neatly on to your next dance. Sets now please for “Equilibrium

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CH: Returning to your childhood for a moment Keith, despite your Welsh ancestry you were brought up in the Wembley area and attended Alperton School, where the Association has held its Annual Ball for the past couple of years. That must have been quite an emotional return after all those years.

KJ: It certainly was Roy – I have so many stories I could tell you of those days, one in particular………

CH: and we look forward to hearing them later in the show. However, let’s have another dance first please Keith.

KJ: OK, my next choice is the Belle of Bon Accord, a Strathspey that we have danced for many years. I have a weird liking for dances that include reeling up and down the middle of the set and this dance is a particular favourite of mine.

CH: That’s not weird at all Keith, it’s a lovely touch. Four couple sets now please for “The Belle of Bon Accord

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CH: Tonight, we’re talking to Keith Jones, President Elect of the Association. How long have you been associated with Wembley Scots, Keith?

KJ: The door to the world of Scottish Dancing was first opened by my wife Gillian, aided and abetted by Sheila Cottrell, as long ago as 1992. I resisted for 4 years but eventually joined in September 1996 and have been a member ever since.

CH: You must have seen quite a change in the Association in the past 22 years Keith?

KJ: I have indeed. We now meet in a different venue; many friends and dancers from those early days have moved on but the one thing that has not changed is the happy atmosphere that persists at all the Association’s functions.

CH: On that note, Keith, let’s have another dance.

KJ: Talking about notes, the music is the driving force behind the joy we experience when dancing at Wembley and this dance has particularly memorable music. It’s Ramadan-ce

CH: Thank you Keith – Partners and sets for “Ramadan-ce

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CH: So Keith. I would imagine that your tenure as President would keep you so busy that you wouldn’t have time for much else, but I understand that you have a new hobby on the horizon.

KJ: That’s right Michael. For a few years now, my wife Gillian, has developed an enthusiasm for dinghy sailing and just recently I went along to Bury Lake to try it out.

CH: How did you get on?

KJ: It was very enjoyable, although I ought to be a bit careful I suppose, as it will probably cause my shipwreck and me becoming a castaway!

CH: I feel another dance coming on?

KJ: Yes, it does fit nicely with my next choice which is “The Sailor”

CH: Partners and sets please for “The Sailor

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CH: Keith, in your time as a member of the Association you will have done many, many dances. Are there any early dances that stand out in your memory?

KJ: The one I really remember, Sue is Culla Bay. I think it was one of the first I did when I started dancing and, as a beginner, I thought it was incredibly complicated and I can still remember the sense of achievement when I got through it for the first time.

CH: Let’s dance that now – square sets please for “Culla Bay

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CH: We have been talking to Keith Jones about his early days with the Association. Was there anyone from that time who had a particular influence on your dancing?

KJ: Well Kirsty, our teacher at the time was Gillian Collis who was a marvellous ambassador for the Association. She was my partner when we danced at the Royal Albert Hall and we wouldn’t be where we are today without her love and guidance over the years. She was especially concerned with people dancing together and loved dances with mirror reels that you could cover your partner in.

CH: Is there a particular dance that springs to mind that we could dance now?

KJ: One of her favourites was The Bees of Maggieknockater which as well as mirror reels, gives you the chance to promenade with both your partner, and at least one of the other ladies in the set (depending on how well it goes!).

CH: Let’s dance that now – sets please for “The Bees of Maggieknockater

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CH: Before our last dance I would like to thank Keith Jones for the excellent programme he has shared with us tonight. As you know, Keith, you are allowed a few other items on the island. We give you the bible, the complete works of Shakespeare and a copy of Pillings. You are also allowed one luxury - What would it be?

KJ: Well Caroline, I think some more dancers would be most useful as dancing all these with 7 ghosts could be a bit of a challenge!

CH: Well, a bit unusual but I think we can allow that on this occasion – just don’t tell Kirsty Young or I won’t be asked back again! Now let’s have your final choice please.

KJ: I think I would be in serious trouble with one particular member of my newly shipwrecked team if this is not danced on my desert island, so please take your partners for “The Plantation Reel” – and would you like to dance Jean!

CH: Keith Jones – thank you very much!

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