Holly Holy Day

 The exhibition room in Nantwich museum was full and people danced and asked about John's Hurdy Gurdy.

Then when they'd wandered off to see what else was going on we stayed and played more tunes.

Elsewhere in the town

 Plough Witches

Domesday Morris 

What's happening on Jan 21st in Nantwich?

 As usual (but after a 2 year gap) the town and the Sealed Knot are celebrating Holly Holy Day re-enacting the Battle of Nantwich.

The day starts in Acton with a talk and tour of the battlefield. 

There will be military displays, as well as Morris dancers and other entertainment*

Then a parade and a noisy battle re-enactment (i.a.o charity)

I will be there with the Forlorn Hope - a group of musicians playing interesting instruments like Hurdy Gurdy and Crumhorns, as well as the more usual fiddles and recorders. I shall call a few easy dances based on some published around the time of the Civil War. Nantwich Museum 11.45 - 12.45. *NB not the time posted on the out of date flyer. This one is up to date. https://www.facebook.com/battleofnantwich

New Year's Eve with Cuckoo's Nest

Victoria Berringer organised a ceilidh and we shared the calling.  I think we managed to keep the dancers going till 2023. (though some seemed to be flagging by 11.30)

Folk had fun, saw the NewYear in and raised some funds for a food bank.

A world of its own

 

Folk music and dance is a world of its own. Almost an extended family.

There are people you meet every week at clubs, and people you only know by sight who you dance or play with at Folk Festivals.

And sharing your interest on the internet discussion groups widens the circle across the globe. Zoom sessions during lockdown meant dancing or playing along (muted) with others worldwide.

I was lucky to meet one of my internet friends last week. Ann has just moved back to the Wirral where she grew up. I’d heard her lecture on dance history during lockdown, we've discussed dances online, and I discovered that she ‘had Maypole, would travel’ when I had a party request that I couldn’t help with. Last week I found that she is also a talented band leader, an adaptable caller, and more – in her words - 

“I had a rich upbringing with folk dance clubs, morris, pub sessions, calling with ceilidh bands. Teaching jobs:  foreign parts including southern England where folk music took me in two directions: researching historical dance and making music with disabled people. Those became full-time work for the last 20 years. I've loved working with heritage organisations like National Trust, and with care homes and day centres, and plan to re-start all that here. Being back on Merseyside is a wonderful chance to reconnect with fine musicians and dancers round here. “

She is updating her website and can be contacted on thedancingmaster@outlook.com; m phone 07780 799 613. 

 

 

Christmas party time with the u3a country dance group

 For our last dance of the season we had decided to bring a festive nibbles to share. Then I had a generous offer from Ann Hinchcliffe (see next post) to come and play some Carols for us to dance to. A couple of Kelsall musicians agreed to join us. 

A car-load of dancers from Stockton Heath Folk Dance Club joined us making it a fun afternoon.

Ann played a tune that is now a carol but was published in 1589 as a dance.

She led us in her version, We were glad it wasn't as energetic as these re-enactors' version Official Bransle

We danced two dances published by Playford in the 17th century,  and dances from the 20th century and earlier.

Two of our members each called a dance 

Photos copyright Sue Sinclair & Kathryn Dahill. Pleasedo not share without permission

High Jinks and Riots.

 I have enjoyed calling with High Jinks for several years. Last year the Riot Band (theriotband.co.uk) needed a new caller and I agreed to call some of their Cheshire  gigs. So since last October I have called with them for an anniversary, a birthday, a St Patricks night, a wedding and a handfasting. Something magical about the last event, dancing on grass with dancers in costumes that seemed to come from another age. The band was on a trailer. Earlier in the month there was a wedding with High Jinks. Energetic simple dances on a crowded floor for that event, some of my more interesting dances at the handfasting, the variety is what makes calling such fun. 

A new venture

 I am a member of Tarporley u3a and our secretary suggested that I start an Interest Group to teach Country Dancing.

So we started in September, meeting twice a month. I have had to be flexible in my choice of dances as our numbers were low. Although Utkinton Village hall is spacious  and we opened windows and doors for extra ventilation some potential members were still cautious, and during Covid surges we cancelled meetings. But we learnt some dances.

I had hoped to find musicians among the membership but for now we are making do with recorded music. We have booked the Time Bandits for a family ceilidh on Fri Oct 28th in Tarporley community, which should be fun.