Highside Longsword Logbook 2022
HUNDRED and THIRTY SIXTH PUBLIC PERFORMANCE 9th January 2022
PERFORMERS :-
Musician – Ted Dodsworth
Captain - Peter Meese
1 Rob Thew
2 John Creedon
3 Colin Fine
4 Andrew Bodey
5 Keith Worden
6 Jim Coulson
Masham Plough Blessing in St Mary's Church. This had been scheduled for the 15th but because Kirkby's plough blessing is that date they kindly moved it the 9th. Due to covid restrictions we were asked to dance in masks but at a practice in Studley it became obvious that we couldn't! We explained and they relented – we all had lateral flow tests and wore masks for the rest of the service. Anita made us matching masks, looked smart but strange. Ray Waite and his grandson Lucas came to watch making it even more stressful for me! Because of my concentration levels, I didn't watch but I understand it went reasonably well except for double sword down which had to be cut short. It's always a difficult spot to dance with the risk of falling off the 'stage' quite high. No sausages or mulled wine this year due to covid. After the service we went our separate ways to prepare for Ripon Cathedral.
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HUNDRED and THIRTY SEVENTH PUBLIC PERFORMANCE 9th January 2022
PERFORMERS :-
Musician – Ted Dodsworth
Captain - Peter Meese
1 Rob Thew
2 John Creedon
3 Colin Fine
4 Andrew Bodey
5 Iain Thew
6 Jim Coulson
Ripon Cathedral Plough Blessing – we arranged to meet at 2.30pm to dance before the 3.30 service. Iain here to replace Keith. With seven regular dancers we need someone to step out each time, thankfully everyone is helpful in this respect. A relatively small audience of about 30 people who didn't shut up for Peter's singing! The dance went very well (so they tell me)! Afterwards we posed for photos outside the Cathedral with the 5 furrow reversible plough one of which appeared in the following Thursday's Ripon Gazette.
HUNDRED and THIRTY EIGHTH PUBLIC PERFORMANCE 16th January 2022
PERFORMERS :-
Musician – Ted Dodsworth
Captain - Peter Meese
1 Rob Thew
2 Iain Thew
3 Colin Fine
4 Andrew Bodey
5 Keith Worden
6 Jim Coulson
Kirkby Malzeard 75th
anniversary Plough Blessing – we arranged to meet at 10pm at Colin's house
for a rehearsal. It was raining but cleared up enough for a double sword down
and lock practice on the patio. As we left to go to the Church, Jim decided to
go to the toilet and unfortunately we didn't notice as Colin locked up.
Luckily, Ray Waite was walking passed and saw Jim trying to get out and came
and told us as we were waiting by the plough in Church. Strange how we didn't
notice but as all our phones were on silent we didn't answer his frantic calls!
The service was very good as was our performance. The MP for Darlington, Peter
Gibson did a reading. The Archbishop of York gave an excellent address and was
full of praise for us, as least we think “I've never seen anything like
it” was praise. He was a good sport and allowed us to 'behead' him
afterwards. Posing with us, the farmers, Ray Waite, his daughter and grandson
and Hazel Waite by the plough.
The event was nicely finished off with lunch at Colin's.
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