Highside Longsword Logbook 2012
HUNDRED and THIRD PUBLIC PERFORMANCE 15th January 2012
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 went off more or less as usual. The church was less than half full though. There wasn't a visiting vicar so David Cleeves took the sermon which was very agriculturally based and to the point.
The dance went ok, Geoff nearly didn't get his leg over in the Over Your Own Sword. Ray played quite fast which seemed better to me.
The usual sausages and mulled wine afterwards and then to the White Bear for a beer or two.
HUNDRED and FOURTH PUBLIC PERFORMANCE 22nd January 2012
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
Very windy day but dry and a packed church for the St Andrew's Plough Blessing. Father Robert had left the parish during the year so we were treated the Arch Deacon, Janet ?? who has 160 churches in the Diocese to look after. A new vicar (Caroline) has just been appointed.
The service went as normal with great hymns and a good address about the hardships of farming.
Peter's voice started slightly croaky but soon got going. We danced very well, Ray playing a blinder, quite good lock too.
Coffee afterwards but we stayed inside for the pictures as it was so windy. The Arch Deacon's husband took several photographs. She was beheaded in the usual fashion with the Mayor of Harrogate, Les Ellington following suit. He was there with the Lady Mayoress.
Afterwards we went for a carvery meal at the Water Rat in Ripon. An excellent day.
HUNDRED and FIFTH PUBLIC PERFORMANCE 26th December 2012
PERFORMERS :-
Musician – Ray Waite
Captain – Peter Meese
1 Ted Dodsworth
2 Roy Waite
3 Keith Worden
4 Geoff Hyde
5 Rob Thew
6 Paul Freeman
Started at the Queen's Head again. Not so many people watching this time. The weather was very mild and we danced quite well. We beheaded Mrs Stanley from Grantley who had been waiting a while to see us.
After another drink in the pub we went down to the Green and danced for Joan Clark and family. They were very appreciative and we collected £30 and 2 boxes of chocolates. We beheaded Hettie Stoodley, 7 years old, Joan's great granddaughter who watched the whole dance seemingly entranced. I later gave her a couple of photos which she said she would take to show and tell at school.
We then went up to the triangle at the Ringbeck end of the village and danced to quite a large crowd that came out of the houses. We collected another £8.50 and beheaded a lady who said she'd been done before! Didn't seem very happy.
Then on the Drovers which was heaving. 30 + people came out to watch us and the Beagles hadn't returned to swell the numbers. The dance went very well and we beheaded Patrice Lythe from Dallowgill. Steve, the landlord, thought the pub was so full because there were a few family reunions. Soup and a roll finished off a very pleasant and relaxed Boxing Day.