I started this thread because I was astounded by the lack of dancing as portrayed in this book which in other traditions, at first sight, seems quite well researched.

Although I didn't quote it she does mention religious processional dances from about 800-900 years earlier and, without suppling the actual dates I inferred that the puritan and post-puritan era did for the traditional dances.

Sian's quote about the complexity of a dance witnessed by some English man fits in with here brief description of the Llanover Reel as being "fifteen figures of an intricate character". She also states that "There has been a vigorous movement to revive what is believed to have been Welsh clog dancing, which resembles Irish step dancing and is quite expressionless".

The next paragraph goes on:

"The Welsh are, however, largely a mountain people and this suggests that their movement would have the gaiety and vitality of the Scots and Irish if they would only let themselves go."

The final few paragraphs concerns a story, told by Mrs Hyllarie Johnstone, a great student of Welsh dance:

After explaining that every booklet on Welsh dance mentions the Wood family of Bala, she continues--

Now Jim Wood is a gipsy and a very good friend mine... perhaps the following conversation which I held with him at the local inn may be of interest.
"Where did you learn your dances, Jim?"
"Well they've been handed down like from my family - in the family for generations, like"
"Jim your dances are of Irish origin, aren't they?"
"Yes ma'am. They is more Irish than anything else."
"Then, you old bandit, why have you let these writers, etc., quote you as an example of old Welsh dance?"
"Well ma'am (with a very sheepish grin) none of them has had the education to see as they wasn't Welsh, and I never told them as they was - people just takes it for granted that because I lives in Bala, the dances must be Welsh, and why should I tell them as they are not?"

Typing this out though it does sound to me a bit like he could be trying compliment her wisdom by agreeing with her (there's a better way to explain this but the words haven't come yet).

I wonder if this Jim Wood (and his brother Llewellyn also danced) is/was known to Hywel Woods as mentioned by Sian.