Tune Req: North Skelton Sword Dance

Subject: North Skelton Sword Dance
From: Dave Hunt
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 10:30 AM

I'm looking for the notation to the North Skelton Sword dance - I used to dance at least four figures of it - but that was over 40 years ago and the old memory ain't what it used to be! - I have taught part of it in schools but would like the notation for the complete dance if possible - Any offers?? or anyone point me in the right direction for info please.

Subject: RE: North Skelton Sword Dance
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 10:58 AM

Hi Dave,

Longsword Dances by Ivor Allsopp has a detailed description of the North Skelton dance, with what I presume is the dance notation. There's diagrams and instructions for all the different figures at any rate.

The easiest thing, I think, would be to send you a snail mail set of photocopies. Can you PM me with a reminder of your address?

Cheers,

Fred.

Subject: RE: North Skelton Sword Dance
From: nutty
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 11:31 AM

Hi Dave

I've sent a PM. Hope it helps

Subject: RE: North Skelton Sword Dance
From: Folkiedave
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 11:51 AM

I am pretty sure the book is still available from Ivor.

PM me for his email.

Dave

Subject: RE: North Skelton Sword Dance
From: GUEST,Geoff Charlton
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 10:04 PM

Hi Dave Geoff Charlton Here, I Dance with the Southport Swords and our main Sword Dance is The North Skelton Sword Dance. We have been dancing North Skelton for the past 40 years. I have the notes of the way we dance North Skelton all 5 figures and what we call figure 6, this is an additional figure that is based on North Skelton but ends with a triangular lock. If you would like a copy of our version of North Skelton just email me your address and I will post you a copy.
                Regards Geoff Charlton.

Subject: RE: North Skelton Sword Dance
From: GUEST,George Clapton
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 06:00 AM

Hi George Clapton, Manchester Morris Men here.

I have been teaching North Skelton to MMM in recent months, I used to dance it with Jockey MM many years ago. So far we have concentrated on Fig 1 but I now want to move on to FIg 2 and others.

Like Dave Hunt my memory isn't what it used to be and the Sword Books I have don't include North Skelton so I was very interested in this thread.

I would very much appreciate any info Geoff could provide us with

Hope to hear more soon

Best wishes

George Clapton

Subject: RE: North Skelton Sword Dance
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 06:20 AM

Isn't this in the Sharp book, The Sword Dance of Northern England? I believe that's available on line.

Subject: RE: North Skelton Sword Dance
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 07:35 AM

Sharp didn't collect north Skelton - it was collected by Douglas Kennedy IIRC.
Derek

Subject: RE: North Skelton Sword Dance
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 09:00 AM

Yup, it's not in there. If anyone is interested the on-line version is at http://www.archive.org/details/sworddancesofnor03shar

Subject: RE: North Skelton Sword Dance
From: GUEST,Rich A
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 09:51 AM

Dave, you could come and watch Jockey do it on the 3rd Oct on their 60th Anniversary tour.

Speaking of sword collecting, it's 100 years next year since Sharp collected the dances for 'Sword Dances of Northern England, Book 1'. There will be lots of events in Grenoside to celebrate it. The Sword Dance Union competition will be in Grenoside in Oct 2010. Look out for the publicity.

Rich A

Subject: RE: North Skelton Sword Dance
From: Paul Davenport
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 02:34 PM

It's interesting to note the sword dances collected since Sharp. If you look at his Cotswold notes by comparison it's easy to see; a) where his interest lay and b) where he lived.
Paul

Subject: RE: North Skelton Sword Dance
From: Folkiedave
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 02:42 PM

And the Sword Dance Union Day will also take place in South Yorkshire this year.

http://www.sworddance.co.uk/Home_files/SDU%20Invitation.pdf

Subject: RE: North Skelton Sword Dance
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 24 Sep 09 - 05:23 AM

More likely to have more to do with where he lived. A trip to rural Yorkshire was a major expedition compared with a trip to the relatively close and accessible Cotswolds for a London based amateur whose only transport was train and bicycle.

Subject: RE: North Skelton Sword Dance
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Sep 09 - 07:06 AM

Sharp collected the Grenoside dance 'very differently' from how it was performed. I don't think it was down to geography.