The Round - first entry in the minute book

On Monday Nov 19th 1928 at 4 o'clock a meeting was held in Miss Carter's room, Clough Hall, Newnham College, to discuss the possibility of forming a new Club in the University for the purpose of holding Country Dance Parties once a term primarily for the benefit of members on the university and women's colleges who would like to dance occasionally but who cannot spare the time for regular classes.

Present

M Lloyd  Newnham
M Murray  Newnham
K Skinner  Newnham
J Schofield  Newnham
Mrs Needham  Girton

Dr J Needham  Caius
Conway Wadington  Sidney
A L Peck  Christs
R Hill  Emmanuel
J Coales  Sidney

R G Heffer  Corpus
A Y Cann  Trinity
J Oliver  Emmanuel

Prior to the meeting pamphlets - as on opposite page had been distributed to all persons likely to be interested by Mrs Schofield, John Coales and Jane Schofield. The latter opened the meeting by stating that she had done this and asking the assembled company whether they approved the idea of starting such a club and whether they would be prepared to support it should there be sufficient response. They all assented.

It was then required to elect a treasurer. Dr Needham was asked if he would stand. He said he was willing provided the club was given a name. "Cambs. Univ. Folk-Dance Club" was the original proposal. It was pointed out that a less cumbersome name might be better but as no really suitable proposal was made it was decided to stick to the original for the present.

It was agreed that ultimately the club if formed should be run by a committee, but for the arrangements for the first party it was decided to appoint J Schofield and J Coales as "Joint organisers." It was also decided that the former should write to Mrs Burnaby the secretary of the Cambridge branch of the English Folk-Dance Society informing her of our venture and enclosing one of the pamphlets. (Footnote: This was sent Tue: Nov 20th 1928.)

The question of the subscription was discussed. A maximum of three shillings a year was suggested to cover the costs of 3 parties a year and 3 classes. (Subsequently it was realised that 3/- would not be sufficient and 5/- was suggested.)

The arrangements for the first party were discussed. It was decided to have an interval with refreshments and to hire St Columbas Hall. The programme was drawn up as follows:-

 1.  Galopede
 2.  We won't go home till morning
 3.  My Lady Cullen
 4.  Upon a Summer's Day
 5.  Rufty Tufty
    INTERVAL
 6.  Goddesses
 7.  Bobbing Joe
 8.  Three Meet
 9.  Jenny Pluck Pears
10.  Sage Leaf
11.  Sellemnger's Round
Extras
     Brighton Camp
     Juice of Barley

It was decided that since there would be many beginners present and since it was not possible to arrange a class before this party, the dances would each have to be taught before hand. The dances on the programme were therefore distributed one or two being allocated to each of the morris men who undertook to teach and M.C. their own particular pair.