History of Carmichael Bowling Club Dances 1910 - 2010
by Jack Meikle
B&F November 2010
1910 The first dance was suggested at a Special General Meeting held in the school house on 27th December . The meeting was called on a requisition signed by 10 members to consider “A club Social and Dance.” The club decided to hold their first Dance in January 1911 in Thornyhills Farm barn kindly promised by Mr. Cadzow and to have the floor laid with wood for the occasion. Tickets for gentlemen to be 3 shillings each and 70 to be printed, 100 invitations to be sent to member’s wives and all young ladies in the district. It was also agreed no intoxicating liquor would be allowed as this was contrary to the law. They did however order 12 dozen bottles of aerated water from Mrs. Murray at Blackbog. It was also reported that Mr. James Plenderleith, joiner Thankerton, had offered to supply wood and lay a floor in the barn and lift it afterwards for the sum of one pound. This was accepted.
Shortly before the dance the venue was changed to the barn at Newside Farm as Mrs Cadzow at Thonyhills was seriously ill.
The dance was attended by 112 people. Income was £10 4s 0d and expenses were £6. 10s 7d, Leaving a profit of £3 12s 5d The Committee expressed their gratitude to Mr Greenshields “whose clever manipulation of the dulcimer made the music so enjoyable for dancing”.
Changed days. This was a dance in an unheated barn in January, only the men paid to get in and the ladies were sent invitations. This however was our first dance and has continued to this very day.
The Leap Year Dance of 1912.
1912 It was reported at a Special Meeting on January 30th that the Ladies Social Committee wished to suggest a Leap year Dance at the end of the season. Mr. Brown of Newside Farm again offered his barn to the club for this event. The Committee agreed and the date was fixed for Friday 8th March. The Ladies Committee was asked to send invitations to all members of the Club. At the next meeting on February 7th it was suggested that the Club purchase the wood used for the floor at Newside barn. The cost would be £5 1/-, this amount to be taken from the Reserve Fund and at all future dances 6d would be added to each ticket until this cost was cleared. This dance, it appears, was a great success showing a profit of £2. 4s 5½d. In October 1912 the Committee decided to have two dances a year and one was arranged for 22nd November 1912.
The Secretary pointed out that it was the duty of the President and Vice President to attend all dances and they were fully entitled to a complimentary ticket. The Secretary was instructed to get 150 ladies invitation cards printed. It was pointed out that the clubhouse would be closed on 21st and 22nd November as the lamps would be required for the barn at Newside. The Club agreed to pay for tuning the piano at Newside as this was used for the dances.
1913 After the next dance on 14th March which was attended by 116 the President said in his opinion it would be more enjoyable if the number of ladies was limited to 30 and the gentlemen to 50 he also suggested that ladies should pay one shilling each.
(This was a radical suggestion to charge the ladies.)
1914 After this dance it was noted that the music was provided by Mr. Doolan of High Street Lanark, with two violins and a piano, at an all inclusive charge of £2.
1920 After the War the ladies again asked the Club for permission to hold a Leap Year Dance. Agreement was given and 100 invitation cards and 50 gents’ tickets were printed. The price to be 3 shillings for ladies and gents.
(We are now in the twenty’s and ladies are expected to pay for their tickets).
It was decided that in view of the now changed times that during the dance it should be alternatively ladies and gents choice for partners. The following dance programme was then agreed:-
First Half
1. Circassian Circle
2. The Lancers
3. Waltz
4. Draps o’ Brandy
5. Maxina
6. Eightsome Reel
7. Highland Schottische
8. Waltz
9. Petronella
Second Half
10. The Lancers
11. Waltz
12. Military Two Step
13. Pea Strae
14. Eightsome Reel
15. Waltz
16. Scotch Reel
17. Quadrills
18. Waltz
19. Circassian Circle
I I wondered how the dancers kept warm in an unheated barn in the winter however when I saw the list of dances it was obvious! You can’t do Lancers and Quadrills etc and not get warm. Incidentally the Maxina is the only one I have never danced. It only came to this country in 1917 so must have been the latest fashion at the time .Considering this was before the days of radio, how did a new dance like this get to a barn in Carmichael within 3 years?
Profit from the dance amounted to £3 1/- and after agreeing to pay each of the four players at the dance ten shillings each, this left a balance of £1 1/-.
The dances continued after the First World War usually one in October or November one on New Year’s Day and one at the end of the season usually the last Friday in March.
1919 A meeting was called to consider the loan of flooring and lamps for a “Welcome Home Dance” for local men who had been on active service, to be held at Newside on 26th December 1919. This was agreed.
1930 A Whist and Dance was arranged for Friday 31st October Jim Watson from Lanark to supply the
music.
1927 The Carmichael Village Hall opened, Secretary of the Hall Committee being schoolmaster Mr David Megahy. All future dances were held in the Hall with ladies seated on the chairs and forms set round the edge of the hall and men left standing between the dances. When a dance was called the floor was filled instantly.
60-70 people filled the hall comfortably, since it wasn’t particularly large, but no doubt they managed many more in the early days.
1930 A whist drive and dance was arranged for Friday 31st October. Jim Watson from Lanark to supply the music.
1931 a whist and Dance was arranged for November 6th the Band this time being J Neilson from Douglas Water.
1936 The music at the Whist and Dance on 13th November was supplied by T Martin from Douglas Water.
1941 13th March 1941 was a fine clear, quiet, slightly frosty night. There was a whist drive and dance being held in Carmichael Hall to raise money to send parcels to our local service men and women. Close to or about midnight someone had gone outside, then rushed back in to tell of the sound of many, many aircraft flying overhead. The dance was abandoned, all the lights were extinguished, and everyone hurried home, fearfully wondering if this was the invasion, for there were a great many planes overhead. Very soon the almost continual flashes of light could be seen in the sky over Glasgow and, because it was a calm night, the noise of great explosions could clearly be heard. But it wasn't Glasgow that was being bombed, it was the shipyards and Clydebank who were on the receiving end. It is now all history, but the total devastation and loss of life that was caused that night was almost beyond belief. For the town and the people suffered more destruction than the yards and, to make matters worse, the bombers came back again the next night to finish the job. That night Carmichael also got its little taste of the war because, for whatever the reason, a German bomber jettisoned its load. The bombs fell in a line from just beyond Millmoor, through the meadow to Harleyholm hill. Fortunately only one bomb did any damage, and that hit and burst the water pipeline that runs from Lochlyoch Reservoir to supply a small part of Lanark. Other than lowering the level of the reservoir before it could be turned off there were no serious results. The bombs which landed in the meadow never exploded having sunk many feet down in the soft bog and will be there to this day. .
1942 A £1 worth of provisions had been obtained for the tea at the New Year Dance, a band from Biggar was booked.
1944 a Dance was arranged for 14th January but the secretary said he would have to find 48 points for the meat for the sandwiches and suggested each member of the committee bring a basket.
1945 From the end of the war the Minutes list the cost of the band and the price of the tickets although not the name of the local band. Carmichael Hall is fairly remote and the cost of the band in those days included the hire of a taxi to bring them and then return later to collect them at the end of the dance and take them back home since very few people had cars of their own.
1948 Carmichael became famous for its dances, a high proportion of them arranged by the Carpet Bowling Club. It is recorded at a meeting on 18th October 1948 that Kennedy’s Band had been booked for 5th November, 7th January, 11th February and 25th March. This was now four dances during the bowling season. These were in the village hall which was now lit by electricity after its recent installation.
1960 Golden Jubilee year. A successful Dance followed to the music of Russell’s Band. The function was considered by all to be well worthy of the occasion.
1972 The Vice President, Mr Albert Nicholl, advised that tickets were selling well for the dance on 17th November to Jimmy Blue’s Band this band had been rebooked after the very successful dance at the end of last season. Tickets were priced at 50p and entry would be limited to ticket holders only. There would be no need to advertise it in the press as all tickets would be sold well before the dance.
Year Band Fee Ticket Price
1945 £4 5/- 2/-
1946 £5 15/- 2/-
1947 £4 10/- 2/-
1948 £6 6/- 2/-
1949 £3 15/- 2/-
1950 £4 15/- 2/-
1951 £4 15/- 2/-
1952 £4 2/-
1953 £4 10/- 2/-
1954 £4 10/- 2/-
1955 £4 15/- 2/-
1956 £5 2/-
1956 £5 3/-
1958 £5 2/- 3/-
1959 £5 3/-
1960 £4 10/- 3/-
1961 £5 3/-
1962 £7 10/- 4/-
1963 £6 2/- 4/-
1964 £5 10/- 4/-
1965 £8 10/- 5/-
1966 £7 5/-
1967 £7 5/-
1968 £7 5/-
1969 £9 5/-
1970 £10 5/-
1971 £10 10/- 5/-
1972 50p
Up to the mid 1990s Friday night dances started at 8pm and finished at 1am. The tea for half-time was, and still is, a feast of home baking preceded for many years by a pie which many of the bands said were the best they ever tasted. The secret was that they were freshly baked by a baker called McCulloch in nearly Douglas, collected at 9.45pm and served at 10pm. Throughout the years set dances had been popular with at least two ‘Duke’s of Perth’s’ and ‘Eightsome Reels’ (one in each half) together with The Lancers and in earlier days Quadrilles and The Flowers of Edinburgh. In recent years these have been replaced by Shiftin’ Bobbins, Postie’s Jig and The Black Mountain Reel.
1973 to 1996 Broadcasting Bands were engaged over this period. They traveled further and cost more but it was recognised that they drew a bigger crowd and if this dance clashed with another local dance then the Broadcasting Band would usually attract people over a local band who would be appearing more regularly.
1997 to date – This period saw mainly a return to local bands. The Lothian and Borders Trio and Webster Craig’s Band covered up to 2006 then thanks to local music teacher Keith Dickson, some excellent local bands had once again become available and in 2008 and 2009 we had the Gold Brothers from Douglas. For our Centenary dance in 2010 the Perth based Ian Cameron Trio provided the music.
Year Band Fee Ticket Price
1972 Jimmy Blue £50 50p
1973 Jimmy Blue £50 60p
1974 Jimmy Blue £60 £1
1975 Jimmy Blue £75 £1
1976 Jimmy Blue £80 £1
1977 Jimmy Blue £90 £1 25p
1978 Alan Doig £65 £1 50p
1979 Jimmy Blue £100 £2
1980 Jimmy Blue £110 £2
1981 Alex MacArthur £80 £2
1982 Jimmy Blue £125 £2 25p
1983 Jimmy Blue £135 £2 50p
1984 Jimmy Blue £135 £2 50p
1985 Jim Anderson £75 £2 50p
1986 Jim Anderson £80 £2 50p
1987 Jimmy Blue £160 £2 50p
1988 Jimmy Blue £170 £2 50p
1989 Jimmy Blue £180 £2 50p
1990 Jimmy Blue £190 £2 50p
1991 ? £160 £2 50p
1992 Alan Gardiner £200 £3 00p
1993 Bill Black £225 £3 50p
1994 Bill Black £250 £4
1995 Bill Black £275 £4 50p
1996 Bill Black £275 £4 50p
1997 Lothian & Borders Trio £150 £4 50p
1998 Lothian & Borders Trio £150 £5
1999 Webster Craig £200 £5
2000 Webster Craig £200 £5
2001 No Dance (F & M)
2002 Webster Craig £200 £5
2003 Webster Craig £200 £5
2004 Webster Craig £200 £5
2005 Webster Craig £200 £5
2006 Webster Craig £200 £5
2007 No dance (F & M)
2008 Gold Brothers
2009 Gold Brothers
2010 Ian Cameron Trio
Footnote
Carmichael was a country estate owned by the Carmichael-Anstruther family in rural South Lanarkshire which relied mainly on farming and forestry for its existence. Through successive marriages and inheritances over a period of 800 years the lands at one time extended to 19,000 acres in Carmichael, Pettinain, Thankerton, Mauldslie (in the Clyde Valley) and Anstruther in Fife but in the early 1900s two successive Lairds died unexpectedly at 24 years of age resulting in huge death duties and today less than 3,000 acres remain. It was at Lochlyoch Farm at the foot of Tinto Hill that, over many generations, the Paterson family developed Scotland’s famous draught horse the Clydesdale, from local mares and imported Flemish stallions. Carmichael is the birthplace of Association Treasurer, Charlie Todd, who has collected over 2,000 local photographs and postcards over the last few years, a few of which are used to illustrate this article.
Update
Sadly Jack Meikle, the writer of this article and Secretary of the Carmichael Indoor Bowling Club for 40 years died in January 2016. None of the remaining (much younger) Committee members were dancers, funds were reasonably healthy, therefore the last Carmichael Indoor Bowlers Dance was held in 2016.
Shortly before the dance the venue was changed to the barn at Newside Farm as Mrs Cadzow at Thonyhills was seriously ill.
The dance was attended by 112 people. Income was £10 4s 0d and expenses were £6. 10s 7d, Leaving a profit of £3 12s 5d The Committee expressed their gratitude to Mr Greenshields “whose clever manipulation of the dulcimer made the music so enjoyable for dancing”.
Changed days. This was a dance in an unheated barn in January, only the men paid to get in and the ladies were sent invitations. This however was our first dance and has continued to this very day.
The Leap Year Dance of 1912.
1912 It was reported at a Special Meeting on January 30th that the Ladies Social Committee wished to suggest a Leap year Dance at the end of the season. Mr. Brown of Newside Farm again offered his barn to the club for this event. The Committee agreed and the date was fixed for Friday 8th March. The Ladies Committee was asked to send invitations to all members of the Club. At the next meeting on February 7th it was suggested that the Club purchase the wood used for the floor at Newside barn. The cost would be £5 1/-, this amount to be taken from the Reserve Fund and at all future dances 6d would be added to each ticket until this cost was cleared. This dance, it appears, was a great success showing a profit of £2. 4s 5½d. In October 1912 the Committee decided to have two dances a year and one was arranged for 22nd November 1912.
The Secretary pointed out that it was the duty of the President and Vice President to attend all dances and they were fully entitled to a complimentary ticket. The Secretary was instructed to get 150 ladies invitation cards printed. It was pointed out that the clubhouse would be closed on 21st and 22nd November as the lamps would be required for the barn at Newside. The Club agreed to pay for tuning the piano at Newside as this was used for the dances.
1913 After the next dance on 14th March which was attended by 116 the President said in his opinion it would be more enjoyable if the number of ladies was limited to 30 and the gentlemen to 50 he also suggested that ladies should pay one shilling each.
(This was a radical suggestion to charge the ladies.)
1914 After this dance it was noted that the music was provided by Mr. Doolan of High Street Lanark, with two violins and a piano, at an all inclusive charge of £2.
1920 After the War the ladies again asked the Club for permission to hold a Leap Year Dance. Agreement was given and 100 invitation cards and 50 gents’ tickets were printed. The price to be 3 shillings for ladies and gents.
(We are now in the twenty’s and ladies are expected to pay for their tickets).
It was decided that in view of the now changed times that during the dance it should be alternatively ladies and gents choice for partners. The following dance programme was then agreed:-
First Half
1. Circassian Circle
2. The Lancers
3. Waltz
4. Draps o’ Brandy
5. Maxina
6. Eightsome Reel
7. Highland Schottische
8. Waltz
9. Petronella
Second Half
10. The Lancers
11. Waltz
12. Military Two Step
13. Pea Strae
14. Eightsome Reel
15. Waltz
16. Scotch Reel
17. Quadrills
18. Waltz
19. Circassian Circle
I I wondered how the dancers kept warm in an unheated barn in the winter however when I saw the list of dances it was obvious! You can’t do Lancers and Quadrills etc and not get warm. Incidentally the Maxina is the only one I have never danced. It only came to this country in 1917 so must have been the latest fashion at the time .Considering this was before the days of radio, how did a new dance like this get to a barn in Carmichael within 3 years?
Profit from the dance amounted to £3 1/- and after agreeing to pay each of the four players at the dance ten shillings each, this left a balance of £1 1/-.
The dances continued after the First World War usually one in October or November one on New Year’s Day and one at the end of the season usually the last Friday in March.
1919 A meeting was called to consider the loan of flooring and lamps for a “Welcome Home Dance” for local men who had been on active service, to be held at Newside on 26th December 1919. This was agreed.
1930 A Whist and Dance was arranged for Friday 31st October Jim Watson from Lanark to supply the
music.
1927 The Carmichael Village Hall opened, Secretary of the Hall Committee being schoolmaster Mr David Megahy. All future dances were held in the Hall with ladies seated on the chairs and forms set round the edge of the hall and men left standing between the dances. When a dance was called the floor was filled instantly.
60-70 people filled the hall comfortably, since it wasn’t particularly large, but no doubt they managed many more in the early days.
1930 A whist drive and dance was arranged for Friday 31st October. Jim Watson from Lanark to supply the music.
1931 a whist and Dance was arranged for November 6th the Band this time being J Neilson from Douglas Water.
1936 The music at the Whist and Dance on 13th November was supplied by T Martin from Douglas Water.
1941 13th March 1941 was a fine clear, quiet, slightly frosty night. There was a whist drive and dance being held in Carmichael Hall to raise money to send parcels to our local service men and women. Close to or about midnight someone had gone outside, then rushed back in to tell of the sound of many, many aircraft flying overhead. The dance was abandoned, all the lights were extinguished, and everyone hurried home, fearfully wondering if this was the invasion, for there were a great many planes overhead. Very soon the almost continual flashes of light could be seen in the sky over Glasgow and, because it was a calm night, the noise of great explosions could clearly be heard. But it wasn't Glasgow that was being bombed, it was the shipyards and Clydebank who were on the receiving end. It is now all history, but the total devastation and loss of life that was caused that night was almost beyond belief. For the town and the people suffered more destruction than the yards and, to make matters worse, the bombers came back again the next night to finish the job. That night Carmichael also got its little taste of the war because, for whatever the reason, a German bomber jettisoned its load. The bombs fell in a line from just beyond Millmoor, through the meadow to Harleyholm hill. Fortunately only one bomb did any damage, and that hit and burst the water pipeline that runs from Lochlyoch Reservoir to supply a small part of Lanark. Other than lowering the level of the reservoir before it could be turned off there were no serious results. The bombs which landed in the meadow never exploded having sunk many feet down in the soft bog and will be there to this day. .
1942 A £1 worth of provisions had been obtained for the tea at the New Year Dance, a band from Biggar was booked.
1944 a Dance was arranged for 14th January but the secretary said he would have to find 48 points for the meat for the sandwiches and suggested each member of the committee bring a basket.
1945 From the end of the war the Minutes list the cost of the band and the price of the tickets although not the name of the local band. Carmichael Hall is fairly remote and the cost of the band in those days included the hire of a taxi to bring them and then return later to collect them at the end of the dance and take them back home since very few people had cars of their own.
1948 Carmichael became famous for its dances, a high proportion of them arranged by the Carpet Bowling Club. It is recorded at a meeting on 18th October 1948 that Kennedy’s Band had been booked for 5th November, 7th January, 11th February and 25th March. This was now four dances during the bowling season. These were in the village hall which was now lit by electricity after its recent installation.
1960 Golden Jubilee year. A successful Dance followed to the music of Russell’s Band. The function was considered by all to be well worthy of the occasion.
1972 The Vice President, Mr Albert Nicholl, advised that tickets were selling well for the dance on 17th November to Jimmy Blue’s Band this band had been rebooked after the very successful dance at the end of last season. Tickets were priced at 50p and entry would be limited to ticket holders only. There would be no need to advertise it in the press as all tickets would be sold well before the dance.
Year Band Fee Ticket Price
1945 £4 5/- 2/-
1946 £5 15/- 2/-
1947 £4 10/- 2/-
1948 £6 6/- 2/-
1949 £3 15/- 2/-
1950 £4 15/- 2/-
1951 £4 15/- 2/-
1952 £4 2/-
1953 £4 10/- 2/-
1954 £4 10/- 2/-
1955 £4 15/- 2/-
1956 £5 2/-
1956 £5 3/-
1958 £5 2/- 3/-
1959 £5 3/-
1960 £4 10/- 3/-
1961 £5 3/-
1962 £7 10/- 4/-
1963 £6 2/- 4/-
1964 £5 10/- 4/-
1965 £8 10/- 5/-
1966 £7 5/-
1967 £7 5/-
1968 £7 5/-
1969 £9 5/-
1970 £10 5/-
1971 £10 10/- 5/-
1972 50p
Up to the mid 1990s Friday night dances started at 8pm and finished at 1am. The tea for half-time was, and still is, a feast of home baking preceded for many years by a pie which many of the bands said were the best they ever tasted. The secret was that they were freshly baked by a baker called McCulloch in nearly Douglas, collected at 9.45pm and served at 10pm. Throughout the years set dances had been popular with at least two ‘Duke’s of Perth’s’ and ‘Eightsome Reels’ (one in each half) together with The Lancers and in earlier days Quadrilles and The Flowers of Edinburgh. In recent years these have been replaced by Shiftin’ Bobbins, Postie’s Jig and The Black Mountain Reel.
1973 to 1996 Broadcasting Bands were engaged over this period. They traveled further and cost more but it was recognised that they drew a bigger crowd and if this dance clashed with another local dance then the Broadcasting Band would usually attract people over a local band who would be appearing more regularly.
1997 to date – This period saw mainly a return to local bands. The Lothian and Borders Trio and Webster Craig’s Band covered up to 2006 then thanks to local music teacher Keith Dickson, some excellent local bands had once again become available and in 2008 and 2009 we had the Gold Brothers from Douglas. For our Centenary dance in 2010 the Perth based Ian Cameron Trio provided the music.
Year Band Fee Ticket Price
1972 Jimmy Blue £50 50p
1973 Jimmy Blue £50 60p
1974 Jimmy Blue £60 £1
1975 Jimmy Blue £75 £1
1976 Jimmy Blue £80 £1
1977 Jimmy Blue £90 £1 25p
1978 Alan Doig £65 £1 50p
1979 Jimmy Blue £100 £2
1980 Jimmy Blue £110 £2
1981 Alex MacArthur £80 £2
1982 Jimmy Blue £125 £2 25p
1983 Jimmy Blue £135 £2 50p
1984 Jimmy Blue £135 £2 50p
1985 Jim Anderson £75 £2 50p
1986 Jim Anderson £80 £2 50p
1987 Jimmy Blue £160 £2 50p
1988 Jimmy Blue £170 £2 50p
1989 Jimmy Blue £180 £2 50p
1990 Jimmy Blue £190 £2 50p
1991 ? £160 £2 50p
1992 Alan Gardiner £200 £3 00p
1993 Bill Black £225 £3 50p
1994 Bill Black £250 £4
1995 Bill Black £275 £4 50p
1996 Bill Black £275 £4 50p
1997 Lothian & Borders Trio £150 £4 50p
1998 Lothian & Borders Trio £150 £5
1999 Webster Craig £200 £5
2000 Webster Craig £200 £5
2001 No Dance (F & M)
2002 Webster Craig £200 £5
2003 Webster Craig £200 £5
2004 Webster Craig £200 £5
2005 Webster Craig £200 £5
2006 Webster Craig £200 £5
2007 No dance (F & M)
2008 Gold Brothers
2009 Gold Brothers
2010 Ian Cameron Trio
Footnote
Carmichael was a country estate owned by the Carmichael-Anstruther family in rural South Lanarkshire which relied mainly on farming and forestry for its existence. Through successive marriages and inheritances over a period of 800 years the lands at one time extended to 19,000 acres in Carmichael, Pettinain, Thankerton, Mauldslie (in the Clyde Valley) and Anstruther in Fife but in the early 1900s two successive Lairds died unexpectedly at 24 years of age resulting in huge death duties and today less than 3,000 acres remain. It was at Lochlyoch Farm at the foot of Tinto Hill that, over many generations, the Paterson family developed Scotland’s famous draught horse the Clydesdale, from local mares and imported Flemish stallions. Carmichael is the birthplace of Association Treasurer, Charlie Todd, who has collected over 2,000 local photographs and postcards over the last few years, a few of which are used to illustrate this article.
Update
Sadly Jack Meikle, the writer of this article and Secretary of the Carmichael Indoor Bowling Club for 40 years died in January 2016. None of the remaining (much younger) Committee members were dancers, funds were reasonably healthy, therefore the last Carmichael Indoor Bowlers Dance was held in 2016.