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Highside Longsword Logbook
HUNDRED and FIFTY SECOND PUBLIC PERFORMANCE 12th January 2025
PERFORMERS :- Musicians – Ted Dodsworth, Janice Hopkinson
Captain – Peter Meese
1 Rob Thew
2 Iain Thew
3 Colin Fine
4 Keith Worden
5 Jim Coulson
6 Andrew Bodey
Plough Blessing at St Andrew's, Kirkby Malzeard. Always the most anticipated dance out of the year. It's great to be part of the service. Colin had offered to feed us afterwards but the Church actually put on a spread for everyone . The service went well, part of the sermon theme was the Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Rev Ian Kitchen using us an example!
The dance went very well indeed, great singing from Peter and great dancing from everyone. There were less farmers than usual, only 5, not sure if this was because of the vast amounts of snow we had or just hard times!
We didn't behead anyone this year, it just didn't seem appropriate. Keith signed the visitors book as we always have.
No Cathedral this year, despite being asked, as we still feel grieved at last year's treatment. They still advertised us in the Yorkshire Post as dancing outside, which we never have!
HUNDRED and FIFTY THIRD PUBLIC PERFORMANCE 15th March 2025
PERFORMERS :- Musicians – Ted Dodsworth, Janice Hopkinson
Captain – Peter Meese
1 Rob Thew
2 Iain Thew
3 Colin Fine
4 Andrew Bodey
5 Harry Walkeden
6 Anita Roy
Kirkby Malzeard Green Fair was held in the Mechanic's Institute and we thought it would be an ideal dance out for our newest dancer, Harry. It turned out to be a really nice event with the hall being filled with stalls. This meant we had to dance in the space outside the side doors. The dance went really well with Harry performing brilliantly. Much appreciated by the audience. We then went to the Bull at West Tanfield and had another successful dance and beheaded Phil, the landlord.
HUNDRED and FIFTY FORTH PUBLIC PERFORMANCE 26th March 2025
PERFORMERS :- Musicians – Ted Dodsworth, Janice Hopkinson
Captain – Peter Meese
1 Rob
Thew
2 Iain Thew
3 Colin Fine
4 Andrew Bodey
5 Jim Coulson
6 Anita Roy
This was the filming of Susan Calman's Grand Day Out in the Yorkshire Dales. We had done quite a bit of preparation before hand, meeting up with the producers and practicing to make sure we were good on the day. The weather was glorious and we did a little bit of the dance so that Susan could 'accidentaly' come across us. I was then interviewed by Susan, who was very professional. We had to stop if there was any noise and, of course, there were dozens of tractors, aeroplanes and even a convoy of vintage scooters. We then did the whole dance with Susan watching on intently. Then we obviously had to behead her. She was so professional with it all. We then did part of the dance again with cameras on each individual, to be edited in. They then filmed 'Helen Mirren' being driven in and out of Kirkby (not by Susan). We hope to see the finished episode some time in the autumn 2025. We thought we might go to the newly opened Crown Inn at Grewelthorpe but it was shut! So we went for a drink at the Water Rat in Ripon. A great experience.
HUNDRED and FIFTY FIFTH PUBLIC PERFORMANCE 8th June 2025
PERFORMERS :- Musicians – Ted Dodsworth, Janice Hopkinson
Captain – Peter Meese
1 Rob Thew
2 Harry Walkeden
3 Colin Fine
4 Andrew Bodey
5 Jim Coulson
6 Peter Meese
Kirkby Gala! We met at Andrew's house and practiced in his garden then wandered onto the playing field where a very noisy band were on the 'stage'. Their sound engineer was one Charlie Brown! (see 14th January 2024). We performed well and beheaded our friend Suzie Rice from Devon. There was quite a large, appreciative audience. Dancing on grass isn't ideal but it meant the crowd could sit on the surrounding straw bales.
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HUNDRED and FIFTY SIXTH PUBLIC PERFORMANCE 8th June 2025
PERFORMERS :-
Musicians – Ted Dodsworth, Janice Hopkinson
Captain – Peter Meese
1 Rob Thew
2 Harry Walkeden
3 Colin Fine
4 Andrew Bodey
5 Jim Coulson
6 Peter Meese
Ripon City Morris Dancers had been involved in the filming of a documentary about the restoration of an old Victorian shop in Masham called Peacock and Verity's. The first episode was transmitted on Channel 4 and a special screening as held in Masham Town Hall where the 'stars' were in attendance. We were asked by Emily, the producer, to perform before the start and 'behead' the main 'star', Ian Johnson, a well known character in Masham. We had a good audience and the dance went very well, if a little slow. Beheading Ian turned out to be a bit tricky as he is very tall! It was a very enjoyable evening, the show being very entertaining. There is a write up, with pictures, in the following week's Darlington and Stockton Times. Thanks to Andrew Burns for the photo.
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HUNDRED and FIFTY SEVENTH PUBLIC PERFORMANCE 1st August 2025
PERFORMERS :-
Musician – Ted Dodsworth
Captain – John Creedon
1 Rob Thew
2 Iain Thew
3 Colin Fine
4 Harry Walkeden
5 Jim Coulson, Anita Roy
6 Keith Worden
We'd been asked by Rachel Mountain, organiser of Masham Church's Yorkshire Day celebration, to dance at this event. We arrived to dance at 3pm as the event was winding down but still a goodly sized crowd. John's first outing as singer of the the Captain's Song. He had to have the words on his phone to remind him! We beheaded Rachel!
After tea and cake in the Church we went to the White Bear for another performance, unfortunately Harry hadn't picked up on the message but did catch us up in time. The staff were very keen for us to perform and again there was a good crowd. As John had gone home, Jim sang and Anita danced in. We beheaded a young lady from the audience, who's partner didn't seem to care and had to be cajoled into taking a picture!
A nice Friday afternoon out. Thanks again to Andy Burn for the photograph.
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HUNDRED and FIFTY EIGHTH PUBLIC PERFORMANCE 22nd December 2025
PERFORMERS :- Musicians – Ted Dodsworth, Janice Hopkinson
Captain – Peter Meese
1 Rob Thew
2 Iain Thew
3 Colin Fine
4 Anita Roy
5 Jim Coulson
6 Peter Meese
Fine, cold Boxing Day. Met at the Queens Head, 1pm as usual. Very few people about. First dance went very well but only half a dozen people watching some of whom left half way through! Back into the pub for a swift half, no freebie this year. Beheaded one of the organisers of Masham Plough Blessing.
Then up to the Ringbeck end and dance for quite a few people.
Then on to the Green to dance for Louise Morrison, who has 2 of the old swords and looking to find 2 more.
We then went to the newly refurbished Crown Inn at Grewelthorpe for a dance in the lounge and a few tunes. Probably the quietest Boxing Day we've done but thanks to the nice weather and the friendliness on the Crown, a very pleasant day.