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'''Margaret Henderson''' née '''Watson''' (27 May 1921 – 13 February 2007) was a Scottish dancer who made a significant contribution to [[Scottish country dancing]] between 1963 and 2007.
'''Margaret Henderson''' née '''Watson''' (27 May 1921 – 13 February 2007) was a Scottish dancer who made a significant contribution to [[Scottish country dancing]] between 1963 and 2007.


== Family and Background ==
== Family and background ==


Born in [[Edinburgh]] on 27 May 1921 to Alexander and Charlotte Watson, Margaret Watson was the youngest of five children. She chose to join the [[British Army|army]] rather than stay at home as a [[Land Girl|'land girl']]. Though she gained several promotions, her high spirits frequently got her into trouble and earned her several demotions. Some of her stories from the war days include: hitching a ride over the border to pinch sugar from the Americans and to invite them to parties; making a smart overcoat from a services issue blanket; being late for flights; and getting up six hours too early in Cairo for a van ride.  She also used to take stripes from other people's jackets so that she could sneak into senior officers’ parties.
Born in [[Edinburgh]] on 27 May 1921 to Alexander and Charlotte Watson, Margaret was the youngest of five children.


Margaret's zest for life led her to join the [[British Army|army]] rather than stay at home as a [[Land Girl|'land girl']]. Though she gained several promotions, her high spirits frequently got her into trouble and several demotions. Some of her stories from the war days include: hitching a ride over the border to pinch sugar from the Americans and to invite them to parties; making a smart overcoat from a services issue blanket (after all, her father was a tailor); being late for flights; and getting up 6 hours too early in Cairo for a van ride.  She also used to pinch stripes from other people's jackets so that she could sneak into senior officers’ parties. Based in Europe during the war, she once took a weekend’s leave but missed her return flight. The plane was shot down! Unable to make easy alternative flight arrangements, she was forced to return by a convoluted route, arriving back at base seven days late. By the time of her return - unaware of her narrow escape, and expecting to be put on a charge - she had been presumed dead by her comrades.
Based in Europe during [[World War II]], she once missed her return flight from a weekend's leave. Unable to make easy alternative flight arrangements, she was forced to return by a convoluted route, arriving back at base seven days late. By the time of her return, the plane she had originally been intended to take had been shot down, and she had been presumed dead by her comrades.


Margaret married George [[Henderson (surname)|Henderson]] in [[Edinburgh Cathedral]]{{dn}} on the 9th August 1947 and shortly after they moved to London. She became a fierce Henderson with a zeal which matched her fierce Scottishness. Living initially in [[Barnet]], they moved into One Hall Road in 1951. Margaret became a dedicated mother to Robin (born 1950) and Pamela (born 1957). She excelled at baking, baking cakes for the family and events such as school [[Jumble sale|bring-and-buy sales]]. In due time she became a grandmother to Lorna (born 1974), Michael (born 1976) and Elizabeth (born 1981).
She married George [[Henderson (surname)|Henderson]] in [[Edinburgh Cathedral]]{{dn}} on the 9th August 1947, and shortly after they moved to London. Living initially in [[Barnet]], the couple moved into One Hall Road in 1951. Henderson gave birth to two children, Robin (born 1950) and Pamela (born 1957). She excelled at baking cakes for her family and for events such as school [[Jumble sale|bring-and-buy sales]]. In due time she became a grandmother to Lorna (born 1974), Michael (born 1976), and Elizabeth (born 1981).


Margeret's pride in her Scottish identity increased with age. In later years, presents wrapped in tartan wrapping paper or items adorned with a piece of tartan ribbon would be the things more likely to gain her approval. Even though not particularly interested in [[Rugby union|rugby]], when on her hospital bed suffering with that massive stroke, being told that Scotland had recently beaten Wales brought about a response.
Henderson's pride in her Scottish identity increased with age. In later years, presents wrapped in tartan wrapping paper or items adorned with a piece of tartan ribbon would be the things most likely to gain her approval. Even though not particularly interested in [[Rugby union|rugby]], while suffering from her fatal stroke, being told that Scotland had recently beaten Wales brought about a response.


== Scottish Country Dancing ==
== Scottish country dancing ==


Margaret excelled at Scottish Country Dancing. Many dances she invented won prizes. The teams she entered for competitions won prizes. No-one she entered for a medal ever failed. "Highly commended" was usually the phrase mentioned on the certificates!
Henderson excelled at Scottish country dancing, and invented many dances that subsequently won prizes. No-one she entered for a medal ever failed{{cn|date=May 2011}}.


She qualified as a dancing teacher in 1963, but by 1967 she was already attracting attention, meriting a full page article as personality of the month in the ''[[Middlesex Chronicle]]'' under the headline of “She keeps the Scots dancing”. The article ended with the words “Scottish Dancing is not merely a hobby, it is a way of life”.
She qualified as a dancing teacher in 1963, and by 1967 she was already attracting attention, meriting a full page article as personality of the month in the ''[[Middlesex Chronicle]]'' under the headline of “She keeps the Scots dancing”.


Her influence on the style of Scottish Country Dancing was dramatic. Prior to her involvement, [[Competitive dance|competition dance]] sets had become rather narrow, squashed and cramped - a bit like the conditions that would exist in a crowded ceilidh. But Margaret would try to make the best use of the space available for her sets and deliberately left a large space between the opposing lines of ladies and gentlemen, creating a square set with plenty of room to dance within, rather than being cramped. This approach brought her success in local dance competitions and she soon began to clear up the trophies, often winning in all competition classes and, on more than one occasion, taking first, second and third in one or more classes. This approach also helped to deliver success in dance examinations. Unsurprisingly, her style caught on with other dance groups and became commonplace. However, there was more substance to her teaching than just the layout of her sets and her successes continued because of her attention to the basics such as correct footwork, timing, posture and the like.
Her influence on the style of Scottish country dancing was dramatic. Prior to her involvement, [[Competitive dance|competition dance]] sets had become rather narrow, squashed and cramped, based on the conditions in a crowded [[ceilidh]]. Henderson tried to make the best use of the space available for her sets and deliberately left a large space between the opposing lines, creating a square set with plenty of room to dance. This approach brought her success in local dance competitions and examinations. Her style caught on with other dance groups and became commonplace. However, there was more substance to her teaching than just the layout of her sets and her successes continued because of her attention to the basics such as correct footwork, timing, posture and the like.


Margaret wrote many dances but chose only to publish the better ones such as: ''The Changing of the Guard''<ref>http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/1150/</ref>; ''Donald MacNeil''<ref>http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/12189/</ref>; ''Doon the Watter''<ref>http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/1690/</ref>; ''Kith and Kin''<ref>http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/3536/</ref>; ''The Longhope Strathspey''<ref>http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/3920/</ref>; ''River Orchey''<ref>http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/5594/</ref>; ''Sandy Watson''<ref>http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/7936/</ref>; ''Scotch on the Rocks''<ref>http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/5928/</ref>; ''The Travelling Tinker''<ref>http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/6685/</ref>; ''Welcome to Feltham''<ref>http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/12419/</ref>;<ref>http://my.strathspey.org/dd/person/179/</ref>. In 1973 and 1979 she won the Jack McConachie Memoral Sword Competition, an annual competition for the composition of Scottish Country Dances, run by the ISTD ([[Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing]]). The winner in 1973 was ''The Brig O' Bogendreep'' <ref>http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/803/</ref> and in 1979 the winner was ''Crystal Jig'' <ref>http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/1461/</ref>.
Margaret wrote many dances but chose only to publish the better ones such as: ''The Changing of the Guard''<ref>http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/1150/</ref>; ''Donald MacNeil''<ref>http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/12189/</ref>; ''Doon the Watter''<ref>http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/1690/</ref>; ''Kith and Kin''<ref>http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/3536/</ref>; ''The Longhope Strathspey''<ref>http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/3920/</ref>; ''River Orchey''<ref>http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/5594/</ref>; ''Sandy Watson''<ref>http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/7936/</ref>; ''Scotch on the Rocks''<ref>http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/5928/</ref>; ''The Travelling Tinker''<ref>http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/6685/</ref>; ''Welcome to Feltham''<ref>http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/12419/</ref>;<ref>http://my.strathspey.org/dd/person/179/</ref>. In 1973 and 1979 she won the Jack McConachie Memoral Sword Competition, an annual competition for the composition of Scottish country dances, run by the ISTD ([[Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing]]). The winner in 1973 was ''The Brig O' Bogendreep'' <ref>http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/803/</ref> and in 1979 was ''Crystal Jig'' <ref>http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/1461/</ref>.


== Retirement Years ==
== Retirement ==


At the age of 60 Margaret retired from paid employment as a dancing teacher, but continued teaching as a hobby, enjoying many happy years with The Feltham and District Scottish Association.<ref>http://www.felthamscottish.fsnet.co.uk/</ref> Always in demand, she was, at age 85, asked if she could take the classes at another local Scottish society. In her 60s Margaret took up [[pottery]] and produced some fine pieces. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.
Henderson retired from paid employment as a dancing teacher at the age of 60, but continued teaching as a hobby, enjoying many happy years with The Feltham and District Scottish Association.<ref>http://www.felthamscottish.fsnet.co.uk/</ref> Always in demand, she was, at age 85, asked if she could take the classes at another local Scottish society. In her sixties she took up [[pottery]] and produced some fine pieces. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.


Margaret was reluctant to throw anything away, especially after George died in 1989 and so was always surrounded by her memories as the rooms at One Hall Road became more and more full. She was never wasteful, perhaps the result of a poor childhood when chip soup was sometimes on the menu.
Henderson was reluctant to throw anything away, especially after George died in 1989 and so was always surrounded by her memories as the rooms at One Hall Road became more and more full. She was never wasteful, perhaps the result of a poor childhood when chip soup was sometimes on the menu.


⚫
Her death was quick and unexpected. Though healthy in lifestyle - a nonsmoker, not overweight, taking plenty of exercise, and so on - she suffered a huge stroke and spent barely a week in [[West Middlesex Hospital]] before she died on Tuesday 13 February 2007 at 3:40pm. Her funeral took place at Hanworth Crematorium on Wednesday 28 February 2007. She was wearing her white dancing dress and tartan sash. Her ashes were scattered in the grounds of Hanworth Crematorium on Friday 9 March 2007 at the same spot as those of her late husband, George.
== Final Days ==

⚫
Margaret's death was quick and unexpected. Though healthy in lifestyle - a nonsmoker, not overweight, with [[Hypotension|low blood pressure]], taking plenty of exercise, with a [[healthy diet]], and so on - she suffered a huge stroke and spent barely a week in [[West Middlesex Hospital]] before she died on Tuesday 13 February 2007 at 3:40pm. Her [[Funeral|funeral service]] took place at Hanworth Crematorium on Wednesday 28 February 2007. She was wearing her white dancing dress and tartan sash. Her ashes were scattered in the grounds of Hanworth Crematorium on Friday 9 March 2007 at the same spot as those of her late husband, George.


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 20:44, 8 May 2011

Margaret Henderson née Watson (27 May 1921 – 13 February 2007) was a Scottish dancer who made a significant contribution to Scottish country dancing between 1963 and 2007.

Family and background

Born in Edinburgh on 27 May 1921 to Alexander and Charlotte Watson, Margaret Watson was the youngest of five children. She chose to join the army rather than stay at home as a 'land girl'. Though she gained several promotions, her high spirits frequently got her into trouble and earned her several demotions. Some of her stories from the war days include: hitching a ride over the border to pinch sugar from the Americans and to invite them to parties; making a smart overcoat from a services issue blanket; being late for flights; and getting up six hours too early in Cairo for a van ride.  She also used to take stripes from other people's jackets so that she could sneak into senior officers’ parties.

Based in Europe during World War II, she once missed her return flight from a weekend's leave. Unable to make easy alternative flight arrangements, she was forced to return by a convoluted route, arriving back at base seven days late. By the time of her return, the plane she had originally been intended to take had been shot down, and she had been presumed dead by her comrades.

She married George Henderson in Edinburgh Cathedral[disambiguation needed] on the 9th August 1947, and shortly after they moved to London. Living initially in Barnet, the couple moved into One Hall Road in 1951. Henderson gave birth to two children, Robin (born 1950) and Pamela (born 1957). She excelled at baking cakes for her family and for events such as school bring-and-buy sales. In due time she became a grandmother to Lorna (born 1974), Michael (born 1976), and Elizabeth (born 1981).

Henderson's pride in her Scottish identity increased with age. In later years, presents wrapped in tartan wrapping paper or items adorned with a piece of tartan ribbon would be the things most likely to gain her approval. Even though not particularly interested in rugby, while suffering from her fatal stroke, being told that Scotland had recently beaten Wales brought about a response.

Scottish country dancing

Henderson excelled at Scottish country dancing, and invented many dances that subsequently won prizes. No-one she entered for a medal ever failed[citation needed].

She qualified as a dancing teacher in 1963, and by 1967 she was already attracting attention, meriting a full page article as personality of the month in the Middlesex Chronicle under the headline of “She keeps the Scots dancing”.

Her influence on the style of Scottish country dancing was dramatic. Prior to her involvement, competition dance sets had become rather narrow, squashed and cramped, based on the conditions in a crowded ceilidh. Henderson tried to make the best use of the space available for her sets and deliberately left a large space between the opposing lines, creating a square set with plenty of room to dance. This approach brought her success in local dance competitions and examinations. Her style caught on with other dance groups and became commonplace. However, there was more substance to her teaching than just the layout of her sets and her successes continued because of her attention to the basics such as correct footwork, timing, posture and the like.

Margaret wrote many dances but chose only to publish the better ones such as: The Changing of the Guard[1]; Donald MacNeil[2]; Doon the Watter[3]; Kith and Kin[4]; The Longhope Strathspey[5]; River Orchey[6]; Sandy Watson[7]; Scotch on the Rocks[8]; The Travelling Tinker[9]; Welcome to Feltham[10];[11]. In 1973 and 1979 she won the Jack McConachie Memoral Sword Competition, an annual competition for the composition of Scottish country dances, run by the ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing). The winner in 1973 was The Brig O' Bogendreep [12] and in 1979 was Crystal Jig [13].

Retirement

Henderson retired from paid employment as a dancing teacher at the age of 60, but continued teaching as a hobby, enjoying many happy years with The Feltham and District Scottish Association.[14] Always in demand, she was, at age 85, asked if she could take the classes at another local Scottish society. In her sixties she took up pottery and produced some fine pieces. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.

Henderson was reluctant to throw anything away, especially after George died in 1989 and so was always surrounded by her memories as the rooms at One Hall Road became more and more full. She was never wasteful, perhaps the result of a poor childhood when chip soup was sometimes on the menu.

Her death was quick and unexpected. Though healthy in lifestyle - a nonsmoker, not overweight, taking plenty of exercise, and so on - she suffered a huge stroke and spent barely a week in West Middlesex Hospital before she died on Tuesday 13 February 2007 at 3:40pm. Her funeral took place at Hanworth Crematorium on Wednesday 28 February 2007. She was wearing her white dancing dress and tartan sash. Her ashes were scattered in the grounds of Hanworth Crematorium on Friday 9 March 2007 at the same spot as those of her late husband, George.

References

  1. ^ http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/1150/
  2. ^ http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/12189/
  3. ^ http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/1690/
  4. ^ http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/3536/
  5. ^ http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/3920/
  6. ^ http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/5594/
  7. ^ http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/7936/
  8. ^ http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/5928/
  9. ^ http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/6685/
  10. ^ http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/12419/
  11. ^ http://my.strathspey.org/dd/person/179/
  12. ^ http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/803/
  13. ^ http://my.strathspey.org/dd/dance/1461/
  14. ^ http://www.felthamscottish.fsnet.co.uk/
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