Tradition Characteristics

Starting Foot

Right footed tradition

Set Size

8 men to a set

Hanky

Hankies held by one corner

Stick

20 to 22 inch

Held in right hand vertical by hip

By butt or middle (depending on dance)

Steps

Single Step (SS)

see Stepping with Arms in Arm Animations

ANIMATED FIGURES and ARMS

Feet

1, Hop

i.e. R R or L L

The knee of the leg not being stepped on is brought up in front

This is higher than is usual in a Cotswold morris SS

There is debate on whether the foot of this leg is swung across in front of the leg being stepped on or not

Arms Hanky

There are two distinct arm Movements

Wave

see Wave under Arms Hanky in Arm Animations

ANIMATED FIGURES and ARMS

The hands inscribe a circular path in the horizontal plane above head hight

The hands starting at the outer most points to left and right

Traveling forward then inward

one complete circle per SS

This arm movement is only used when Dancing on the spot (i.e. not travelling)

Swing

see Swing under Arms Hanky in Arm Animations

ANIMATED FIGURES and ARMS

Straight but relaxed arms swung Alternately

Swing from down below and behind the waist forward and up to high above head

returning by the reverse track

Right hand swung up on right footed SS

to be at highest while in the air between the 1 and hop.

Left hand swung up on left footed SS

to be at highest while in the air between the 1 and hop.

This arm movement is only used when travelling.

Stick

Held in right hand vertical by hip

by butt or middle (depending on dance)

Feet together (FT)

Feet

1,together replaces a 1,hop at the end of the dance.

(together means both feet on floor with feet side by side.)

Arms Hanky

Both hands brought to vertically above shoulders with arms straight

Stick

Clashed on together

remaining in contact until lowered for walk off.

Stepping

SS throughout dance

8 SS in each half figure.

dance finishing with FT (unless danced off)

Stick Clashing

Sticks are clashed at the end of all figures except

Dance off.

Diamonds

Wheel

Sticks are clashed at half way Point in the Following figures

Arming

Back to Back

Bottoms Cast

Cross Over (with a shout)

Dash (3456 only)

Half Rounds

Long Corners

Mad Dash

Short Corners

see End of Figure under Stick Clashing in Arm Animations

ANIMATED FIGURES and ARMS

In each half figure the stick is swung as follows

The stick is held vertical by hip during steps 1 to 4

brought up in front to lower chest hight on step 5

swung down and back on step 6

swung up and forward to shoulder to head high on step 7

brought forward to clash forehanded with partner on step 8

Figures

Figures are 8 SS or 16 SS long.

An animations of the figures can be seen

The figures can be viewed step by step

Via the following link.

ANIMATED FIGURES and ARMS

A brief description of each figure follows

The following notation is used to describe the figures

Number is used to indicate the dancers original position at the start of the figure

The Dancer retains his number though out each figures description

Position is used to indicate the positions that were occupied by the dancers at the start of the figure.

Widdershins

This is an old word meaning Anti-clockwise

The Rounds can be Suffixed with Widdershins to indicate that they are Danced Anti-clockwise

The Half Rounds can be Suffixed with Widdershins to indicate that they Start Danced Anti-clockwise

Hanky Figures

Bottoms Up

Bottom Wave

Face Across

Half Bottom Hey

Half Cross over

Stick Figures

Apples

Apples & Pears

Apples & Pears 2 (Alternate version)

Arming

Back to Back

Bottom Hey

Bottoms Cast

Cross over

Dance off

Dash

Diamonds

Half Cross over

Half Rounds

Long corners

Longing Shank

Mad Dash

Pears

Rounds

Stars

Short corners

Three times round me Dad

Three times round me Son

Top Hey

Wheel

Zig Zag

Apples

Start facing front

Simultaneously

Numbers 2,4,5 and 7 dance on spot

Number 1 dances 3 times clockwise round number 5 reversing into position 6

Number 3 dances 3 times clockwise round number 7 reversing into position 8

Number 8 dances 3 times clockwise round number 4 reversing into position 3

Number 6 dances 3 times clockwise round number 2 reversing into position 1

Finnish facing front

Apples and Pears

Start facing front

Simultaneously

Number 1 dances 3 times clockwise round with 5 then reverses back to place

Number 2 dances 3 times clockwise round with 6 then reverses back to place

Number 3 dances 3 times clockwise round with 7 then reverses back to place

Number 4 dances 3 times clockwise round with 8 then reverses back to place

Number 5 dances 3 times clockwise round with 1 then reverses back to place

Number 6 dances 3 times clockwise round with 2 then reverses back to place

Number 7 dances 3 times clockwise round with 3 then reverses back to place

Number 8 dances 3 times clockwise round with 4 then reverses back to place

Finnish facing front

Apples and Pears 2 (Alternate version)

Start facing front

Simultaneously

Number 1 dances 3 times clockwise round with 5 then reverses back into position 6

Number 2 dances 3 times clockwise round with 6 then reverses back into position 5

Number 3 dances 3 times clockwise round with 7 then reverses back into position 8

Number 4 dances 3 times clockwise round with 8 then reverses back into position 7

Number 5 dances 3 times clockwise round with 1 then reverses back into position 2

Number 6 dances 3 times clockwise round with 2 then reverses back into position 1

Number 7 dances 3 times clockwise round with 3 then reverses back into position 4

Number 8 dances 3 times clockwise round with 4 then reverses back into position 3

Finnish facing front

Arming

Start facing front

All Simultaneously

Transfer stick to left hand and hold in usual position.

Dance clockwise one and a half times round while holding partners

right arm

Release hands and transfer stick back to right hand and clash sticks

Dance anti-clockwise one and a half times round while holding partners

left arm

release hands and clash sticks on return to place.

Finnish facing front

Back to Back

Start facing front

All Simultaneously

Dance forward to partners place passing right shouldered to 2 SS

dance to right still facing forward to 2 SS

reverse to place to 4 SS

Dance forward to partners place passing left shouldered to 2 SS

dance to left still facing forward to 2 SS

reverse to place to 4 SS

Finnish facing front

Bottoms Cast

This is a 8 SS Figure

Start facing front

Bottom 2 men

cast out of set and dance to 8 SS to Finnish at top of set

Rest of men in set

Form a line down centre of set to 2 SS

Right shoulder to partners right shoulder

Then move one place down the set to 4 SS

Reverse to reform a set to 2 SS

clashing on second of these SS

Finnish facing front

Bottoms Up

This is a 8 SS Figure

Start facing front

Bottom 2 men

cast out of set and dance to 6 SS

to be Right shoulder to partners right shoulder

in line with the rest of men down the centre of the set

Reverse to reform a set to 2 SS

Rest of men in set

Form a line down centre of set to 2 SS

Right shoulder to partners right shoulder

Then move one place down the set to 4 SS

Reverse to reform a set to 2 SS

Finnish facing front

Bottom Hey

(Pershore men called this figure Bicycle up)

Numbers 7 and 8 turn to face up

rest of set turn to face down

dance normal track of a reel starting with numbers 7&8 passing numbers 5&6 right shoulders

others dance on spot until involved by numbers 7&8

2 SS for each pass or turn

Finnish

Facing front

Numbers 5678 in place

Numbers 1 in position 3

Numbers 2 in position 4

Numbers 3 in position 1

Numbers 4 in position 2

Bottoms Wave

This is a 8 SS Figure

Start facing front

Bottom 2 men

Do the Swing arm Motion

Cast out of set and dance to 8 SS to Finnish at top of set

Rest of men in set

Do the Wave arm Motion

Move one place down the set to 8 SS

Although these men move down the set the movement is so small it is classed as Dancing on the spot hence the wave arm motion

Cross Over

Start facing front

All Simultaneously

Dance across and out of the set passing right shoulder with partners to 4SS

Turn right 180 degrees to 2SS to face front

Dance as if to pass partner by right shoulder forward to 2SS

shout "Hoi" and clash on second of these SS as you pass

Dance across and out of the set passing right shoulder with partners to 4SS

Turn right 180 degrees to 2SS to face front

Dance as if to pass partner by right shoulder forward to 2SS

Dance to face partner forward to 2SS

clashing on second of these SS in place

Finnish facing front

Dance off

All set follows number 1 off

Start dancing in clockwise circle as in the start of half rounds

Then follow where number 1 leads until out of sight.

Dash

Start facing front

Odds dance on spot throughout

Evens dance on spot when not moving as bellow

Number 2 dances to between positions 7&8 facing position 7 to 4 SS then

Number 8 dances to face position 1 in line with number 2 to 4 SS then

Numbers 3456 clash with partners at this the half figure point

Number 4 dances to between positions 5&6 facing position 5 to 2 SS then

Number 6 dances to face position 5 and complete the new line to 2 SS then

All evens reverse to 2 SS to reform set

All set clashes

Finnish facing front

Diamonds

Start facing front

Simultaneously

Numbers 2&7 dance on spot

Number 3&6 Reverse out of set to form Diamond shape to first 2 SS returning to place to last 2 SS

Number 1 dances 3 times clockwise round number 2 reversing to place

Number 4 dances 3 times clockwise round number 6 reversing to place

Number 8 dances 3 times clockwise round number 7 reversing to place

Number 5 dances 3 times clockwise round number 3 reversing to place

Finnish facing front

Face Across

This is a 8 SS Figure

Start facing front

All Dance 8 SS on Spot

doing the Wave arm Motion

Half Bottom Hey

(Pershore men called this figure Half Bicycle up)

This is a 8 SS Figure

Numbers 7 and 8 turn to face up

rest of set turn to face down

dance normal track of a reel starting with numbers 7&8 passing numbers 5&6 right shoulders

others dance on spot until involved by numbers 7&8

2 SS for each pass or turn

Finnish

Facing front

Numbers 1 in position 5

Numbers 2 in position 6

Numbers 3 in position 7

Numbers 4 in position 8

Numbers 5 in position 3

Numbers 6 in position 4

Numbers 7 in position 1

Numbers 8 in position 2

Half Cross Over

This is a 8 SS Figure

Start facing front

All Simultaneously

Dance across and out of the set passing right shoulder with partners to 4SS

Turn right 180 degrees to 2SS to face front

Dance to face partner forward to 2SS

clashing on second of these SS in place if a Stick dance

Finnish facing front

Half Rounds

Start facing front

All turn easy way to face in a clockwise circle.

Dance around reforming a set when set has revolved through 180 degrees

Facing front to 8 SS.

All turn easy way to face in an anti-clockwise circle.

Dance around reforming set in starting positions

Facing front to 8 SS.

Long corners

Start facing front

All dance on spot when not moving as bellow

Numbers 1&8 swap places to 4 SS passing right shoulders

Numbers 2&7 swap places to 4 SS passing right shoulders

all set clash with partners

Numbers 1&8 swap places to 4 SS passing right shoulders

Numbers 2&7 swap places to 4 SS passing right shoulders

All set clash with partners

Finnish facing front

Longing Shank

Start facing front

Number 7 dances improvising stepping (showing off)

Up the outside of the set returning down the middle of set

to Finnish the figure in position 5

While the rest of the set swap places as bellow

1. Number 5 dances half way towards position 4 to 1 SS

2. Number 5 dances 1 SS on spot turning to face position 6

3. Number 3 dances half way towards position 2 while
   Number 5 reverses into position 3 to 1 SS

4. Number 3 dances 1 SS on spot turning to face position 4

5. Number 1 dances half way towards an imaginary man to the left of position 2 while
   Number 3 reverses into position 1 to 1 SS

6. Number 1 dances 1 SS on spot turning his back on position 2

7. Number 2 dances half way towards position 3 while
   Number 1 reverses into position 2 to 1 SS

8. Number 2 dances 1 SS on spot turning to face position 1

9. Number 4 dances half way towards position 5 while
   Number 2 reverses into position 4 to 1 SS

10. Number 4 dances 1 SS on spot turning to face position 3

11. Number 6 dances half way towards position 7 while
    Number 4 reverses into position 6 to 1 SS

12. Number 6 dances 1 SS on spot turning to face position 5

13. Number 8 dances half way towards an imaginary man to the left of position 7 while
    Number 6 reverses into position 8 to 1 SS

14. Number 8 dances 1 SS on spot turning his back on position 7

15. Number 8 reverses into position 7 to 1 SS

16. All set finish facing front having moved 1 place around the set

Mad Dash

Start facing front

First half of figure

Odds dance on spot throughout

Evens dance on spot when not moving as bellow

Number 2 dances to between positions 7&8 facing position 7 to 4 SS

When Number 2 has danced his first 2 SS

Number 8 dances to face position 1 in line with number 2 to 4 SS

When Number 8 has danced his first 2 SS

Number 4 dances to between positions 5&6 facing position 5 to 2 SS

When Number 4 has danced his 2 SS

Number 6 dances to position 5 while numbers 2,4 and 8 reverse to 2 SS to reform set

All set clashes

Second half of figure

Evens dance on spot throughout

Odds dance on spot when not moving as bellow

Number 1 dances to between positions 7&8 facing position 8 to 4 SS

When Number 1 has danced his first 2 SS

Number 7 dances to face position 2 in line with number 1 to 4 SS

When Number 7 has danced his first 2 SS

Number 3 dances to between positions 5&6 facing position 6 to 2 SS

When Number 3 has danced his 2 SS

Number 5 dances to position 6 while numbers 1,3 and 7 reverse to 2 SS to reform set

All set clashes

Finnish facing front

Pears

Start facing front

Simultaneously

Numbers 1,3,6 and 8 dance on spot

Number 2 dances 3 times clockwise round number 6 reversing into position 5

Number 4 dances 3 times clockwise round number 8 reversing into position 7

Number 7 dances 3 times clockwise round number 3 reversing into position 4

Number 5 dances 3 times clockwise round number 1 reversing into position 2

Finnish facing front

Rounds

Start facing front

All turn easy way to face in a clockwise circle.

Dance around reforming a set when set has revolved through 360 degrees

Facing front to 16 SS.

Stars

(Pershore men called this figure Three Hands Round)

This Figure is only 8 SS

Start facing front

Simultaneously

Numbers 1,2 and 3 form a right hand star at top of set

Circle one and a third times clockwise

Numbers 6,7 and 8 form a right hand star at Bottom of set

Circle one and a third times clockwise

Numbers 4 and 5 clasp right hands in centre of set

Circle one and a third times clockwise

Then all finish one place around set clockwise as bellow

Number 1 finishes in position 2

Number 2 finishes in position 4

Number 3 finishes in position 1

Number 4 finishes in position 6

Number 5 finishes in position 3

Number 6 finishes in position 8

Number 7 finishes in position 5

Number 8 finishes in position 7

Finnish facing front

Short corners

(also known as long and short corners)

Start facing front

All dance on spot when not moving as bellow

Numbers 1&8 swap places to 4 SS passing right shoulders

Numbers 2&7 swap places to 4 SS passing right shoulders

all set clash with partners

Numbers 3&6 swap places to 4 SS passing right shoulders

Numbers 4&5 swap places to 4 SS passing right shoulders

All set clash with partners

Finnish facing front

Three times round me Dad

Start facing front

Evens dance on the spot

Odds dance 3 times round them as bellow

Odds dance to be in line and to the right of your partner to 2 SS

Then circle clockwise around partner 90 degrees to each SS for 10ss

When you should be facing your own place in line with your partner

Dance turning right to be in place facing front to 4 SS

Three times round me Son

Start facing front

Odds dance on the spot

Evens dance 3 times round them as bellow

Evens dance to be in line and to the right of your partner to 2 SS

Then circle clockwise around partner 90 degrees to each SS for 10ss

When you should be facing your own place in line with your partner

Dance turning right to be in place facing front to 4 SS

Top Hey

(Pershore men called this figure Bicycle Down)

Numbers 1 and 2 turn to face down

Rest of set turn to face up

Dance normal track of a reel starting with numbers 1&2 passing numbers 3&4 right shoulders

Others dance on spot until involved by numbers 1&2

2 SS for each pass or turn

Finnish

Facing front

Numbers 1234 in place

Numbers 5 in position 7

Numbers 7 in position 5

Numbers 6 in position 8

Numbers 8 in position 6

Wheel

Start facing front

The whole set revolves through 360 degrees

While clashing as in the Chorus of the Dance

Finnish facing front

Zig Zag

Start facing front

All dance on spot facing front unless involved in moving as bellow

1. Number 1 dances half way towards position 4 to 1 SS

2. Number 1 dances 1 SS on spot

3. Number 4 dances half way towards position 5 while Number 1 dances into position 4 to 1 SS

4. Number 4 dances 1 SS on spot

5. Number 5 dances half way towards position 8 while Number 4 dances into position 5 to 1 SS

6. Number 5 dances 1 SS on spot

7. Number 8 dances half way towards position 7 while Number 5 dances into position 8 to 1 SS

8. Number 8 dances 1 SS on spot

9. Number 7 dances half way towards position 6 while Number 8 dances into position 7 to 1 SS

10. Number 7 dances 1 SS on spot

11. Number 6 dances half way towards position 3 while Number 7 dances into position 6 to 1 SS

12. Number 6 dances 1 SS on spot

13. Number 3 dances half way towards position 2 while Number 6 dances into position 3 to 1 SS

14. Number 3 dances 1 SS on spot

15. Number 2 dances half way towards position 1 while Number 3 dances into position 2 to 1 SS

16. Number 2 dances into position 1 to 1 SS

All set finishes facing front

All Front

This is the usual Finnish of the dance the last SS replaced with FT

all set Finnish facing front.

Dances

Stick

The Ash Grove

Black boy (Not for Joe)

College Hornpipe

Girl with the Blue Dress On

John Peel

Monkey cocked his tail up

Sailors Polka

Hanky

Handkerchief Dance (Vancouver's Version)

Handkerchief Dance (Lord Conyers Version)