Highside Longsword Logbook 2000
FIFTY NINTH PUBLIC PERFORMANCE 16th January 2000
PERFORMERS :-
Musician - Ray Waite
Captain -
1 Ted Dodsworth
2 Roy Waite
3 Keith Worden
4 Geoff Hyde
5 Jim Coulson
6 Paul Freeman
Plough blessing service in Saint Andrew's Church in Kirkby Malzeard is always a special event for us and this turned out to be one of the best so far. Sadly, Paul's father had died the evening before and this seemed to put a more sombre tone on the event. Trevor Stone came along and videoed the dance and ‘local' historian John Richmond also videoed the service as part of the millennium celebrations. Roy sang the calling on song as sadly, again, Peter's mother had died earlier in the week. We danced very well, Ray played faultlessly, and the lock went in beautifully. The Rev Marshall's sermon had been very entertaining but we still ‘beheaded' him afterwards.
Bill Robson took our photographs together with the plough lads outside the church. One was printed in the Darlington & Stockton Times and one, the following week, in the Ripon Gazette. The D & S picture was seen by Mr Norman R Wood from Skeeby near Richmond. He danced in the team that his father Ralph started in the 1920's and 30's. After dancing, we went to Ray's house for food and drink and a very enjoyable afternoon.
SIXTIETH PUBLIC PERFORMANCE 23rd January 2000
PERFORMERS :-
Musician - Ray Waite
Captain - Peter Meese
1 Ted Dodsworth
2 Roy Waite
3 Keith Worden
4 Geoff Hyde
5 Jim Coulson
6 Rob Thew
Plough blessing service in Saint Mary's Church in Masham. We had been pestered by Brian Abel the vicar of Masham to dance at the plough blessing there. In the event he wasn't so keen on us dancing in the church and we ended up dancing in the freezing cold on Masham Market Place after the service. The Millennium beacon was lit but wasn't throwing off much heat! Peter sang brilliantly, Ray played as good as usual and the dance went seamlessly with Rob in Paul's usual place. The largish audience enjoyed mulled wine, but there was none left for us so we had to go the King's Head for a drink. Rather a mixed evening.
SIXTY FIRST PUBLIC PERFORMANCE 8th April 2000
PERFORMERS :-
Musician - Ray Waite
Captain - Peter Meese
1 Ted Dodsworth
2 Roy Waite
3 Keith Worden
4 Geoff Hyde
5 Jim Coulson
6 Rob Thew
After out last dance out, our picture appeared in the Darlington & Stockton Times where it was seen by Norman R Wood. Norman danced in the Kirkby team in 1925 and his father Ralph was instrumental in starting the team of that era. Norman now lives in Skeeby near Richmond. He was born in 1909.
We decided to meet in the Castle Arms in Snape as it is near Jim's house and is on the way to Richmond for the rest of us. We danced outside the pub, not very well it has to be said, including dropping a sword! Road works in Bedale meant that we were late for our meeting with Norman. This was unfortunate as he had planned the rest of the day with utmost precision. We danced for him and a hand full of people outside the newly refurbished Priory hospital. He was very complimentary about our dancing, he said we danced better than they ever did. His long term memory was excellent but he didn't remember the calling on song, he said he was the seventh man and was led round in the dance. And it was 75 years ago!
Norman had arranged for us to dance in Richmond Town Hall which had involved getting the caretaker there to open it. We thought that it would be better to dance outside as there was quite a crowd including several members of Slubbing Billys on a walking holiday. This we did, Norman didn't seem very pleased with this and wandered off into the market.
We then went to his house in Skeeby and danced in the road outside his bungalow where a large crowd of his relatives and neighbours had gathered even though the Grand National was being run. It was quite cold but we danced well and got a good round of applause especially when we ‘beheaded' Norman.
Peter and Elaine Gray and a helper laid on tea, sandwiches and cakes for us in Skeeby Village Hall which we consumed after dancing for them. Peter, who had been singing marvellously all day slightly fluffed his lines but otherwise the dancing was good. Ray claimed a button had stuck on his melodeon though. We thought it was just the cold weather.
We have had much further correspondence with Norman and with Norman Peacock who danced with Leeds Morris Men (amongst other teams) in the 1950's. They danced in Kirkby and met with Norman there. Trevor Stone was also with us and videoed Norman.
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SIXTY SECOND PUBLIC PERFORMANCE 26th December 2000
PERFORMERS :-
Musician - Ray Waite
Captain - Peter Meese
1 Ted Dodsworth
2 Roy Waite
3 Keith Worden
4 Geoff Hyde
5 Jim Coulson
6 Paul Freeman
As usual on Boxing Day we met at the Grantley Arms. It was a clear, bright, freezing cold day. The Ripon Sword Dancers contingent were a little late so it was 1.30pm before we danced. There were 10 or 15 people in the audience including Vince Rutland and well known Sword and Rapper dancer and John Brockbank from Ebor Morris Men from York. I accidentally missed out the Over Your Own Sword figure which made the dance slightly shorter.
We then moved to Kirkby and danced to quite a large crowd at the Market Cross. Bill Robson, the photographer was there to continue his series of pictures of Paul (now the Right Worshipful Mayor of Ripon). His camera wouldn't work! Fortunately there was another photographer from the Gazette.
As the Queen's seemed shut (apparently Vince managed to get a pint) we went to the Henry Jenkins and danced in the lounge to a reasonable audience. It was then up to the triangle at the top of the village to dance for 3 or 4 people including Ray's sister. During the dance a tractor with a trailer was determined to get passed. The smell from the trailer was appalling, it was our hen manure!
For the last dance we went to the Drover's at Dallowgill where we first danced out 13 years ago. There was quite a crowd because the Beagles were just returning from their day out and it was wonderful to have them running about our set. We were bought a drink by John Seamen. As it was so cold we performed the dance without the single unders.
We then returned to our house for food and drink.