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Out and About.
General policy and this years main events.
Throughout the year, regardless of the season, we go out as much as possible
to present the dance to the public.
In addition to bookings for events we aim to dance out at least once each month during the winter and on as many occasions as possible from May Day to August.
Rapper (sword) dances are perhaps best seen in the traditional venue; the public house. During winter months, evening tours taking in four or five locations are arranged at short notice.
We arrive, present a five or ten minute dance, pause for refreshment and press on to the next pub.
Hopefully our audiences contribute to the passing box. It sometimes takes a while to explain that contributions go towards rent on practice rooms,
group running expenses and new equipment. A set of spring-steel blades costs in the region of £150.00. If we break one the set are retired to practice.
If, at years end, we have covered all expenses and contingencies, we look to contribute to a charity.
This is often the Mayor of Durham's Appeal.
Beyond this we make it a point to dance at least one day each year in support of a chosen charity. During recent years our chosen charity event has invariably been the Marie Curie Trust Daffodil Day in March.
After May 1st we arrange tours at two or three locations to present Cotswold dances (outside) during the earlier part of the evening and Rapper (inside) as the night draws in.
It has become our habit to spend the nearest Saturday to May 1st dancing in the centre of Durham City, usually with the company of other local groups.
We also dance at a selection of booked events such as village fetes and fayres and attend one full meeting of the Morris Ring each year.
Taking on bookings usually depends on availability taking into account work, family and other commitments of the members of the side.
Look out for us during 2008 on:
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