Formation
Camberley Reel Club was formed at a meeting held on 20th September, 1960. A Major Rutherford and Mr. and Mrs. Brown-Hovelt had met Scottish Country Dancing while in Germany with the British Army of the Rhine, and on return to the Camberley area were disappointed to find that there was no local club they could join. They decided to rectify the situation and placed a joint notice in the Camberley News inviting all interested parties to attend a meeting in the Hawley Hotel, (now long gone and replaced by a housing estate). Twenty-three people turned up and the Club was born. Major Rutherford became Chairman and Instructor, Mrs. Brown-Hovelt Secretary, and Mr. Brown-Hovelt Treasurer. It was agreed to hire the ballroom of the Hotel every Tuesday evening at 10/6d per evening, and to alternate Instruction and Social Dancing organised by volunteer club members. There would be three special events in the year: St. Andrew's Night, Burns' Night and an end of season Ball with live music, all to be held in the hotel.

Early Years
After a successful first year Maj. Rutherford was replaced by Mrs. Brown-Hovelt as chairman, and Ian and Nora Hunter became joint secretaries. Major Rutherford left in 1963 and was replaced as Instructor by Dennis Hughes of Guildford. Being, to use modern politically correct speech, 'vertically challenged', he conducted his instruction standing on a chair, but it was no less valuable for that. As space in the hotel ballroom was limited, 1963 saw a move to the Agincourt Hall for the Spring Ball - the highlight of the year - with music by Mike MacNeil's band.

In 1965 a disagreement with the new owners of the Hawley Hotel over a 300% rise in hall fees led to a temporary move to the hall of the old St. George's Church in Obelisk Street, Camberley, and then a permanent move to the hall which has been our home ever since, St. Paul's. Ken Milnes replaced Dennis Hughes about this time, and was our instructor for the next 12 years. Since 1961 the club had organised a one day school each year. These were successful at first, but as more clubs were formed in the area, and each put on a school, numbers fell to an uneconomic level. They were discontinued in 1969, to be replaced a number of years later, after the formation of the Borders Branch, by Branch organised events.

Spring Ball
The highlight, and end, of the dancing year was the Spring Ball. In 1965 McBains band was engaged for the first time, and in 1966 the Ball moved to the restaurant/ballroom of Harveys (now Army & Navy), followed by a further move to the brand new Camberley Civic Hall in 1970, to remain there until 1978. Frank Reid first played for us in 1975. That year also saw a change in the day. Up until then big dances had been held on Friday evenings, ending at 1.00 am, but, partly to offset rising costs, and partly to meet changes in social habits, the day was changed to Saturday, and the finish time to just before midnight. Rising hall fees, and the imposition of a requirement to use the hall contract caterers, who were much more expensive than those normally used, led to a move to various school halls, after trying for a year or two to get by without providing a supper (dancers brought their own). For the last few years we have used the hall of Yateley Manor School. The floor is not ideal, but the hall is spacious and can comfortably accommodate 140 dancers. A better location has so far proved elusive.

Membership
Our membership has varied over the years, rising steadily to a peak of 76 in 1971, and falling gradually to 29 in 1981, similar drops being suffered by other clubs in the area. However, numbers have risen again, and although not up to 1971 levels, most evenings we have four or more sets of keen and enthusiastic dancers. The original formula of alternating Instruction and Social Dancing has proved successful and is in use to this day.

Special Events
Burns' Night has been a feature of the Club's activities since its inception. At first the hotel did the catering, but since moving to St. Paul's the ladies of the club have done sterling work producing the traditional haggis supper. Since 1986 the serving Mayor and Mayoress of Surrey Heath have been guests of honour, and have been presented with a cheque for the current Mayor's Charity. Hugh MacKay has been our piper since 1974, and, as well as piping in the haggis, plays for dancing and the Grand March at the Spring Ball.

In 1993 the Club organised the first of what has become a successful series of Charity Dances. Held on a Friday and with live music, so far a total of approximately £900 has been raised for the Camberley Open Mind Association.

The Club celebrated its Ruby Anniversary with a 40th Anniversary Ball in September 2000.