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Aughton and Ormskirk

2024 Country Dancing

June Country Dances

  • Bonny lad & Bonny lass a longways dance by the Neal brothers 1726
  • The Rational Reel a longways dance
  • St. David’s Waltz another longways dance by Peggy Hazell
  • A school for scandal a 3 couple dance pub. Thompson 1778
  • Delia a 3 couple dance by Ellen Taylor 1977
  • 14.06
  • Peggy’s Jig a 4 couple dance
  • Mr. Isaac’s Maggot a longways dance pub Playford 1695
  • The New Longroom at Scarborough a longways dance by Andrew Shaw 2019
  • St. David’s Waltz see last week
  • Trip to Bavaria a Scottish 4 couple dance
  • Lord Caernarfon’s Jig
  • 21.06
  • No name yet! A June Jones dance under construction…4 couple.
  • Clopton Bridge (Hornpipe) for 4 couples.
  • Lovely Nancy a longways dance, waltz time.
  • Friday square, not surprisingly in a square formation
  • Shandy Hall a longways dance by George Middleton 1977.

May Country Dances

3.05.24 Live music from Change of Key, Frank – lead violin, Brian – melodeon, Ian – violin/fiddle and Steve – guitar.

  • The Waggoner a 3 couple dance pub. Thompson 1783.
  • Welcome in the May an appropriate dance for May. A contemporary longways dance by Sharon Green 2018.
  • Mardigras Minnesota another longways dance.
  • Chestnut a 3 couple dance from Dancing Master 1651- 1796, interpreted by Cecil Sharpe 1912 x2
  • Barn Dance Reel a 4 couple dance x2.
  • Christina a Naomi Alexander longways dance from 1992.
  • Mendocino Redwood a longways dance by Margaret Devlin, Bob Fraley and Elizabeth Zekley 2005. Music- Woodlands Walk by Jonathan Jensen.

Thanks to the Band for a very enjoyable session.

10.05.24 ** Elfrida birthday requests, * other requests.

  • ** Guildhall a longways dance.
  • * Spanking Jack a 1726 longways John & William Neal dance from Margaret McFarlane’s collection of dances.
  • ** Sam’s Maggot a 5 couple dance choreography & music Walsh c1728 reconstructed by Andrew Shaw. Fast becoming a favourite dance.
  • Diversions an Ellen Taylor longways dance 1989.
  • ** Christmas Stars a 3 couple dance.
  • Princess Royal a longways dance , choreography and music Pat Shaw.

17.05.24 Elfrida recording the dances including some more of her birthday choices.

  • Which Way Now a 4 couple dance x2. A June Jones dance involving diagonals and stars.
  • Rostillion a longways dance.
  • a 5 couple dance Nan’s Ring in circle formation by Elsie Wilson?
  • Longways St. Crispins Eve 
  • Lord Caernarfon’s Jig a 4 couple dance

24.05.24 ** more of Elfrida’s birthday choices.

  • Morrison’s Reel a 5 couple dance x2
  • Blythe Company a 3 couple dance by Brooke Friendly & Chris Sackett 2012.
  • The Italian Disappointment by John & William Neal 1726.
  • ** April’s Lady a waltz for 3 couple in circular formation.
  • Hoffedd Miss Hughes a Welsh dance by Ian Hughes. “Hoffedd” translates as “Lovely”
  • Picking up Sticks a traditional Playford dance 1651 for 3 couples.

31.05.24 ** and a few more of Elfrida’s birthday choices.

  • The Spaniard a longways Playford dance from 1777.
  • ** Six for Gold a June Jones 3 couple dance x2
  • ** Sam’s Maggot (see 10.05)
  • Bonny Cuckoo a 4 couple dance by Gail Tichner 1986.
  • St.Katherine’s a John & William Neal longways dance 1726.
  • Gasconne a longways dance from 1710 interpreted by Pat Shaw.

A full and enjoyable dancing month. Our thanks to all who contributed.

April Country Dances

  • The Maid peeked out the window a 4 couple dance.
  • (The) King of Poland a 4 couple dance. Choreography & music Playford 1698.
  • Wibsey Roundabout a 5 couple circular dance by Gary Roodman 1996. As requested by Pat & John & loved by us all. The tune Hugh O’Donnell by Carolan.
  • St. Andrew’s gardens a longways dance with a choreographer much closer to home, our own June Jones.
  • Turning by Threes another Gary Roodman dance for 3 couples from 2003.
  • Cobbler’s Hornpipe another 3 couple dance in triple time, by Jenny Beer 1701, the tune Tourner a Trois by Paul Machlis.

several danced twice.

12.04.24

  • Minnesota Mardi Gras a longways dance.
  • Greenwich Park a longways dance adapted by Cecil Sharp 1922 from the 1698 dance.
  • Karla’s Waltz a longways dance.
  • Chestnut a 3 couple dance from The Dancing Master 1651-1796. adapted by Cecil Sharp 1912.
  • My Lady Winwood’s Maggot a 3 couple dance from Dancing Master 1728. One of June’s favourite dances.
  • Top and Bottom a longways dance by Bernard Bentley 1971. All danced several times.

No dances recorded from 19th.

26.04.24 Elfrida calling the dances today.

  • Robert’s Reel a 3 couple dance x2.
  • Dover Pier a longways dance by Preston 1791.
  • Spanish Jig another longways dance from Dancing Master 1721.
  • My Lord Byron’s Maggot a longways Playford dance from 1701 with clapping.
  • Guildhall a longways dance.
  • Alabama a 4 couple dance in a square formation.
  • Birthday Reel a 4 couple dance.

March Country Dances

1.03.24

  • Jack’s Maggot a longways dance from 1702 published by Playford.
  • Morris On see last week. Still needing more practise!
  • Yellow Crocus also from last week, a June Jones, longways dance, adapted slightly from last week x2.
  • No Taxes a 3 couple dance x2 from 1791.
  • Sadler’s Wells a 3 couple dance from 1728

8.03.24

  • Jamaica (the original longways format) Pub. Playford 1670.
  • Double Duet a Gary Roodman longways dance from 1999.
  • Gathering Hay (whist the sun shines) a 3 couple dance with’ heys’.
  • I care not for these ladies a circular formation, choreography and music by Katherine Creelman Skrobela 1969
  • (A) trip to Amsterdam a longways dance by Philippe Callens.
  • Grimstock a 3 couple Playford dance from 1652 including 3 different ‘heys’. Grimstock, Arches and Circular.

15.03.24 June recorded the dances. Two new dancers join us.

22.03.24

  • Bonnet’s so Blue a longways dance.
  • Ladies of London from the Walsh collection 1740.
  • Which way now a June Jones 4 couple dance with diagonals and stars x2.
  • The Bonny Cuckoo by Gail Tichnor 1986, to the tune Sheebeg & Sheemore (or Si Beag Si Mhor) by Turloch O’Carolan. x2.
  • Nampwich Fair a longways Playford dance from 1726.
  • Upon a Summer’s Day a 3 couple dance from 1651.
  • The Magpie a longways dance.
  • My Lady Anne a 3 couple dance.
  • Pilgarlic  a another 3 couple dance from 1751.
  • Delia & another 3 couple dance,  choreography by Ellen Taylor 1997.
  • ?  A starter dance.

February dances on the fabulous new floor.

There was no dancing on 2nd. February as a new floor was being laid at the Village Hall.

9.02.24 The floor has been completed and looks amazing, we’re almost afraid to dance on it but of course we do. Some of John’s birthday choices* & some of Liz’s **

  • *De’il tak the Warr a 3 couple set from 1721 reconstructed by Andrew Shaw 
  • **Mile of Smiles a longways dance by Joseph Pimentel, with the tune by Dave Wiesler.
  • **Young Phyllis of Wakefield a longways dance from ’24 Country Dances for the year 1715′ with interpretation by Andrew Shaw. From the Elephant Stairs CD 2007. On this track the jazzy piano is played by Rebecca King from California, includes clapping.
  • **Bar a Bar a longways dance  from The Walsh collection 1719
  • Drive the cold Winter away (we wish) a 3 couple dance from 1651 Dancing Master. x2.
  • The Queen’s Birthday a longways dance pub. Playford 1703.

A good session for longways dances as we had a good turn out, nearly a full compliment of dancers.

16.02.24

  • Jump Frogs Jump a 3 couple dance x2.
  • The Yellow Crocus a new longways June Jones dance still under construction.
  • Scotch Cap a 3 couple dance from The Dancing Master 1651.
  • Lord Fopp(ph)ington a longways Playford dance from 1701 with interpretation by Pat Shaw 1965. Lord Foppington was a character in the comic play The Relapse or Virtue in Danger!
  • She looked down her nose and sneered…a longways dance.

23.02.24 Elfrida recording the dances.

  • Fourpence halfpenny farthing L/w.
  • Yellow Crocus see last week. 
  • Morris On With Morris Heys, ‘we practised and practised until we got it right’.
  • Gold for the Matthews, one of Philippe Callens dances with Morris heys and gypsy moves, danced x2.
  • Forty bar jig, a good dance and not too challenging! L/w
  • Princess Royal also L/w.

January Dances for the New Year.

Wishing us all a Happy and Healthy New Year.

5.01.24 Still some of Geraldine’s Birthday requests to carry over from 2023. *

  • * Valentines Day a little out of season but a nice longways dance Pub. Playford 1679 interpreted by Pat Shaw 1966.
  • * Zig Zag Tuesday a longways dance, with zigzag moves.
  • * April’s Lady a waltz for 3 couples danced in a circle x2.
  • Morrison’s Reel  a Scottish country dance devised by Roy Goldring,  for 5 couples.
  • Queen’s Jig pub.Playford 1701 a longways dance.

12.01.24 and still some more of Geraldine’s choices.*

  • *Trip to Richmond a longways dance by Kath Riley 1956 x2.
  • *Sailor’s Wives a 3 couple dance x2.
  • *Trip to Bavaria a 4 couple Scottish country dance & all time favourite. Devised by James MacGregor Brown 1960.
  • Punch and Judy a longways dance.
  • Lord Caernarfon’s jig a 4 couple dance Playford 1651, reconstructed by Cecil Sharp 1910.

19.01.24 Some of John’s Birthday choices.*

  • * Marching to Praetorius a 2 couple Gary Roodman dance 1996 x2.
  • Bonnie Lads and Bonnie Lasses a 4 couple dance.
  • * Eastbourne Grove (rover) a 3 couple dance by Kevin Prigmore 2015.
  • On the Edge no.2 a 4 couple dance x2.
  • If all the World were Paper 1651 Playford, with re interpretations.
  • Triplicate danced in lines of 3. By Peggy Roe 2012.

26.01.24 some of Liz’s Birthday choices.*

  • The Maid Peeked out the Window a 4 couple dance.
  • * Mendocino Redwood a longways dance by Mary Devlin, Bob Fraley & Elizabeth Zekley 2005.
  • * Peace be with You a longways dance by Fried de Metz Herman 1986.
  • * Newcastle a traditional dance from 1651 danced in a square formation. Happy memories for one of our dancers, dancing this in her 20’s.
  • * Brighton le Sands in contrast, a contemporary a longways dance by our own June Jones.
  • Shandy Hall another contemporary dance from 1977, music & choreography by George Middleton.