Loftus History
Sword Dancers
**Recent additions**
Sword dancing in pictures
School Days
Newspaper Cuttings
WW2
Loftus People
Scrap Book by Noel Agar
Weddings
Paddy Waddells Railway
Duties of a Country Policeman
Derick Pearson Collection
Sporting events
Notices
General Photographs of Loftus
Skinningrove
Mining
Liverton
Entertainment
Liverton 1891 Census
More recent photographs of Loftus
Ralph Jackson's Diaries
For King & Country
Tracing Family History
Deaths & Memorials
1891 census Individual houses & farms
Zetland Terrace
Zetland Road
Westfield Terrace
West Road
Cliff Crescent
High Row (West Lofthouse)
Hartington Street
St Hilda's Terrace
Duncan Place
High Street
Arlington Street
East Crescent
Spring Head
Cleveland Street
North Road
John Street
East Street
Gladstone Street
Seymour Hill Terrace
Park Terrace
North Terrace
Street Houses
Arthur Fields
Upton
Micklehow Road
Whitecliffe Mines Houses
Railway Terrace
Dundas Street
Church Row
Dam Street
South Loftus
Station Road
Liverton Road
St Hildas Place
Westry Terrace
Rowland Terrace
Tees Street
Whitby Road
Tyne Street
Sword Dancers from the area
Tweed Street
Jackson Street
Easington Road
Waupley
Away Days & Holidays
Loftus District Olde Tyme Dance Club
Cinemas and entertainment
Loftus Fire Station
Churches
Loftus British Legion
Loftus and District Arts Club
Loftus Youth Club
Coronation Programme 1937
Improvements to Liverton Mines
Links for Loftus History
Message Board
Guestbook
Mail Form
|
Sword Dancing
 | This page is dedicated to Loftus Sword dancers.
Sword Dancing is performed in many countries. The dance performed by the Loftus dancers is a variation of that performed by the Goathland Plough Stots.
All photographs copyright @ Maud Snowdon
and the contributer to this site
|
|
Music
 | At one time all the moorland villages danced on village greens to the traditional tunes, such as 'Cock of the North', 'Lass o' Dallogill', 'Oyster Girl' and 'Keel Row'.
|
|
The Dance Team
 | The dance the loftus team danced was the North Skelton Dance, the steps were revivied by a Mr Featherstone of Loftus, whose family formed teams in North Skelton, Lingdale and Boosbeck
(see Lingdale Primrose sword dancers using link below).
|
|
History of the Dance
 | The history of the dance is well documented at the home of 'The English Folk and Song Society' at Celia Sharp House, 2 Regents Park Road, London, NW1.
|
|
Mr H Norminton
 | Mr H Norminton, headmaster of Loftus county modern school revived the dance at Loftus in 1950 and with help from Mr Arthur Marshall of Guisborough, (himself a former dancer)who was an expert self taught player of the melodeon.
|
|
The Team
 | photograph above taken in 1851 shows the No 1 team practicing in Coronation Park, Loftus,
Back row L-R:
Mr. Harold Norminton, Terry Boyes, Eric Tyreman, William Kitchener, Colin Beedle and Mr. Arthur Marshall.
Front row L-R: Kenneth Taylor and Maurice Wright holding the Lock
The team was an immediate success entering local competitions and in 1953 winning at the Llangollen Eisteddford.
The dancers then were Maurice Wright and Kenneth Taylor both of Moorsholm, Colin Beedle, William Kitchener, Eric Tyreman and Terry Boyes.
Other well known dancers were John Hill (the historian, he was a dancer from 1950 until the end), Jimmy Fishlock, Harry and his brother Derek Cuthbert, Sid Robson, David Robinson, William Morrish, Peter Dobson, Michael Pearson, Eric Lancaster, Brian Snowdon and many others over the years.
In 1958 Loftus was admitted into the Morris Ring by Dr Fisher Cassie, Squire of the Morris Rings, he said a very high standard had to be reached before admittance. When Loftus was accepted, 3 others were turned down.
He presented souvenirs to dancers at a supper held, at which 80 persons were present, Dr Casie paid a particular tribute to Artur Marshall, he said he was acknowledged as one of the finest sword dancers in the country.
In 1961 the team was invited to Dijon in France to celebrate the 'Festival of the Grape', they represented the City of York, a twin town with Dijon, they won a silver cup and an illuminated scroll.
1963 saw a visit to Norway, to Stavanger and Hougasand.
|
|
Llangollen Eisteddfod
 | 1953. Loftus Sword dancers proudly showing the trophy won by them at Llangollen Eisteddfod.
L-R Mr Harold Norminton holds the trophy and a very proud team consisting of, in the centre Kenneth Taylor and Maurice Wright holding the lock, Colin Beedle, William Kitchener, Eric Tyreman, Terry Boyes and musician Arthur Marshall.
|
|
Royal Albert Hall
 | Taken in Trafalgar Square, London.
The first visit to the Royal Albert Hall. A great honour to be invited, each recieved a Silver badge of the English Folk Song Society.
|
|
The Crowds
| Dancing in front of admiring crowds, note the amount of people watching the Loftus Sword dancers, they are lining up on the roadside to get a view.
|
|
London again
 | This photograph was taken on a later visit to Royal Albert Hall in London.
|
|
Manley Morris Men
 | Manley Morris men from Cheshire, who teamed up with Loftus Sword dancers on their trip to Dijon.
|
|
Music 1
 | Traditionally all sword dance groups used the same music here are example of three of them.
1.
|
|
Music
 | | 2. |
|
Music
 | | 3. |
|
Ladies Team 1952
 | Taken in 1952, Ladies Loftus Sword dancers team.
L-R back row
Alice Partlett, Jean Pearson, Doreen Scott, Gladys Whitlock.
L-R front row
Mabel Jefferson, Arthur Marshall, June Morrison
Photograph and names kindly contributed by John Hill.
|
|
1960 Dijon Trip
 | names:
Harry Cuthbert, Laurie Snowdon, Sid Robson, Eric Lancaster, Maud Snowdon, Maurice Wright, Jimmy Fishpool and John Hill
Other names would be most welcome.
Kindly contributed by John Hill.
|
|
Year Unknown
 | Help with any of the names would be most welcome
Kindly contributed by John Hill. |
|
1892
 | In the early 1890's much distress was caused in the area by a strike in the Durham coalfield, many people then moved to Derbyshire, to a new town called Poolsbrook. Amongst these men were men from Loftus and the whole of the Featherstone family who had revived the Sword dancing in Loftus. Soon they were dancing again, this photograph was taken in 1892 and shows the following.
Matthew Seymour, William Martin, George Featherstone, George Derby, (a local man who filled in for Tom Martin), John Watts, Joe Winspear, Charlie Mays, Robert Featherstone, with Tom Shaw and Tom Gilbert clowns.
After a few years away the men returned home, Joe Winspear settled in North Skelton where he taught the famous North Skelton White Rose team of Sword Dancers and George Featherstone moved to Lingdale and taught the Lingdale Primrose
Sword Dancers which included his three sons.
Another team was formed in Loftus which continued until after the first world war, its last performance being about 1931. Joe Winspear the musician, Jack Legg, Jim Taylor, A Henwood, Dick Magor, Paddy Hodgson, R. Jackson and J. Garner. They gave benefit concerts in aid of unfortunate friends who were ill or unemployed in the absence of the help we receive today.
The Loftus Sword Dancer team, led by Mr Harold Norminton, Headmaster of the County Modern School, tried to recapture the spirit and enthusiasm of the early pioneers. This they certainly did, gaining World Wide recognition dancing seven times in the Royal Albert Hall, and eight times at Llangollen International Eisteddfod. Also being invited and dancing in France, Holland, Austria, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Spain and Virginia in America, as well as all over the UK.
New dancers joined the group over the years, but John Hill a reserve in the first team was still there in the end, dancing No 1, he tried to keep the tradition going but sadly failed. The last musician was John Waite, affectionally known as Pop. The last leader was Mr Malcolm Gratton.
Information and photograph kindly contributed by John Hill.
The following is taken directly from a publication: Loftus Urban District Council Souvenir Coronation Year Book, published 2nd June, 1953.
For the following section, the writers of the booklet relied heavily on interviews with Mary Elizabeth Martin (nee Featherstone) sister to my Grandmother, Hannah Jane Hogben Layen (nee Featherstone.)
Contributed by: Roy Hogben, Ithaca NY USA (RoyHogben@aol.com) Grandson, Hannah Jane Featherstone Hogben Layen, Grand Nephew, Elizabeth Featherstone Martin of whom much of this narrative is credited.
NOTE: John Featherstone died December 5, 1899 in a Lingdale Mine Accident.
George Featherstone died January 21, 1937 (unconfirmed)
"Sword dancing was encouraged and taught by Mr. John Featherstone of Hartington Street in about 1890. He learned the figures and three traditional tunes from an old Goathland Plough Stot called Ventress living near, who, it is said, was not much of a dancer himself. The latter was an ironstone miner but left here to become a publican in Egton.
In order to keep his children and their friends out of the public houses and off the streets at night, Mr. Featherstone and his wife encouraged them to play games like Fox and Geese and Merrils. The idea of sword dancing quickly caught their imagination and while John whistled the tunes the young men danced around the kitchen, using Hazel sticks for swords. The dancers included the brothers George and Robert Featherstone (now living at Great Ayton), Joe Winspear, Charles Mayes, Tom Martin and William Martin. The last named later married John Featherstone's daughter, who is living in Loftus. Mrs. Martin remembers well the interest taken in the young men by her parents, and her mother's forbearance at the regular sight of her furniture being moved around for the convenience of the dancers.
Later, George Featherstone learned to play the melodeon and became a most proficient performer, in constant demand for all kinds of folk dancing for teams in East Cleveland until his death.
Joe Winspear also became a musician and played many years later with North Skelton, but in the early days the musician was John Watts from Skinningrove.
There were always two extra members of the team in addition to the six dancers, who dressed in clown's clothes and had their faces blacked with soot. Alternatively one of these was dressed as an old woman and took part, with her husband, in some ritual which was traditionally part of the dance. They also took up a collection from the onlookers attracted by the music and dancing.
During the early 1890's much distress was caused in the district by a strike in the Durham coalfield and many miners, including most of the team, moved to Derbyshire, to a newly build town called Poolsbrook, near Chesterfield.
The whole Featherstone family, together with the Martins, Joe Winspear, Matt Seymour, John Watts and Charlie Mayes, settled here (in Derbyshire) for the next few years and it was not long before the sword dance team was in action (again).
After a few years in Derbyshire where, according to Mrs. Martin they never really felt at home, the Loftus people came back to Cleveland.
After the death of her husband , Mrs. Featherstone and her youngest son, John, took a smallholding at Moorsholm, where they were joined by George and Robert and their wives."
Many thanks to Roy for contributing this article.
|
|
Royal Albert Hall
 | Taken outside the Royal Albert Hall in London.
L-R: back row.
Keith Galilee, (leader) Malcolm Gratton, Harry Cuthbert, Colin Locker, John Waite (musician) Kevin Hullah.
L-R Front row.
Colin Galilee, Stephen Galilee and John Hill.
Photograph and information kindly contributed by John Hill.
Names correction from Kevin Hullah many thanks
|
|
Llangollen International Eisteddfod 1985
 | Taken with the Manley Morris Men at Llangollen International Eisteddfod in 1985.
Loftus men L-R:
Stephen Galilee, John Hill, Colin Locker, Kevin Hullah, Harry Cuthbert, Sid Robson, Colin Galilee and John Waite (musician).
Photograph and information kindly contributed by John Hill.
Names correction by Kevin Hullah many thanks.
|
|
Llangollen Trophy 1985
 | John Hill holding the Llangollen Trophy in 1985
Photograph kindly contributed by John Hill.
L-R:
Colin Locker, Colin Galiliee, John Hill, John Waite, Colin Chisholm.
Names kindly contributed by Kevin Hullah, many thanks
|
|
Llangollen International Eisteddfod
 | The Loftus team in action on stage at the Llangollen Eisteddfod in 1985.
Photograph kindly contributed by John Hill.
|
|
The Loftus Sword Dancers
 | Loftus is situated in the Cleveland area of Yorkshire which is renowned for its sword dance teams.
The Loftus dance is a traditional long sword dance. Its origins are not know and its manner of performance has been passed down from team to team.
The sword dance is something of a 'problem' folk dance. Some teams have felt that the swords have a military significance and have adopted military uniforms. The Loftus team tend to support the view that it is a social dance and the swords are links between the dancers. The movements of the dance are held to be symbolic and certainly the killing of an old woman at the end suggests the sacrifice of the old so that new life can continue. This idea of regeneration occurs in dances connected with fertility.
The dance itself calls for precise movements and correct performance is essential. There are six figures to the dance each beginning with an overhead clash and ending with a 'lock'.
The swords which are 36" long are made of spring steel which allows them to be woven into a lock.
The figures are performed to the traditional tunes "Oyster Girl", "Lass o' Dallogill", "Keel Row" and "Cock of the North" played on the melodeon.
All six members of the present team attended Loftus County Modern School where they learned to dance. They have danced together for many years and have competed and given exhibitions in many parts of Great Britian and the continent.
Highlights have been appearances at the Albert Hall and the Festival Hall, visits to Dijon Wine Festival and the Gateway to Britian Week in Norway and taking first place at the Llangollen and Teesside Eisteddfod's.
taken from a magazine cutting forwarded by John Hill.
|
|
This page has been visited  times. |
