Highside Longsword Logbook 2011
NINETY NINTH PUBLIC PERFORMANCE 16th January 2011
PERFORMERS :-
Musician - Ray Waite
Captain - Peter Meese
1 Ted Dodsworth
2 Roy Waite
3 Rob Thew
4 Geoff Hyde
5 Jim Coulson
6 Paul Freeman
Masham Plough Blessing was on a different day to Kirkby this year (Kirkby moved). Quite a normal event, the ‘sermon' was given by a lady from the Farm Crisis Network a charity helpline for farmers (and gamekeepers). It was very well given and to the point.
The dance had two incidents, Geoff accidentally slipped off the podium but recovered so that no one noticed. Later, I called double under but Geoff and Rob's sword went down instead of up, so we did double over.
Otherwise uneventful, sausages and mulled wine after followed by a pint or two in the White Bear.
HUNDRETH PUBLIC PERFORMANCE 23rd January 2011
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
Kirkby Malzeard's Plough Blessing delayed a week this year because of the Atkinson family being on holiday.
St Andrew's Church was packed as usual. The Dean of Ripon, Keith Jukes, gave the sermon which was short and witty.
The dance went particularly well, loads of applause. We were interviewed by Helen Johnson, writing an article for the Dalesman magazine. Roy was also going to see Ian Caufield the following day regarding a book he is writing on the history of Kirkby.
We had a meal afterwards at the Staveley Arms in North Stainley.
HUNDRED and FIRST PUBLIC PERFORMANCE 21st May 2011
PERFORMERS :-
Musicians – Ted Dodsworth, Hazel Waite
Captain -
1 Iain Thew
2 Roy Waite
3 Keith Worden
4 Rob Thew
5 Jim Coulson
6 Andy West
Kirkby Malzeard May Fair in the school. We had taught the dance to Rob's younger son Iain earlier in the month and had another practice at their house on Ure Bank in the morning. Hazel and I decided to play T'Old Lass of Dallowgill as we were more familiar with it.
The dance went very well in the school yard. Big crowd. It was quite windy and unfortunately the video taken has a lot of wind noise on it. We were given tickets for lunch.
We danced again on the field after the May Queen was crowned. Quite a big crowd including some children who danced alongside with toy swords.
Had a drink afterwards in the Queen's Head
HUNDRED and SECOND PUBLIC PERFORMANCE 26th December 2011
PERFORMERS :-
Musician – Ray Waite
Captain – Peter Meese
1 Ted Dodsworth, Iain
Thew
2 Roy Waite
3 Keith Worden
4 Geoff Hyde
5 Rob Thew
6 Paul Freeman
We decided not to go to Grantley pub as they were less than friendly there in previous years. So we met at the Queen's Head in Kirkby Malzeard. Due to the article in The Dalesman (Jan 2012 edition) there was a crowd of around 50 people at the cross. I danced in for this dance. It wasn't our best performance! The weather was mild and the crowd very appreciative.
We then ran Iain through the dance in the pub car park.
We went to the Ringbeck end of the village and danced there with Iain in number one. We beheaded my Grandson Finlay MacNair, who didn't cry this year! Smallish crowd but appreciative.
We then went on to the Green and danced in front of number 11 where Joan Clark and several generations of her family were. We did the short version, with Iain and beheaded Joan. Took a collection of £22 and a box of After Eights. Then back to the pub for a free drink on the Landlord.
Then up to the Drover's at Dallowgill. It was quite cold and windy by this time. The Beagles, who were usually here, had gone early because of the wind. There was still a reasonable crowd. We beheaded a 'virgin' and then had some soup to warm up.