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Handsworth

Traditional Sword Dancers

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The Handsworth Sword Dance

“The dancers wear dragoon-type uniforms and carry long-swords of inflexible steel about one metre in length. Shortly after the beginning of the ten-minute dance, they join to form a complete ring, and perform a series of complex ‘figures’, ending with a ‘lock’ of enmeshed swords, which can be carried aloft by one man…”

“…it is certainly one of the best and most inspiriting of the dances that still survive in Yorkshire.”

Cecil J. Sharp, The Sword Dances of Northern England, 3 pt. (London: Novello, 1911-13), III, page 37

Have a go at sword dancing

The team practices weekly and welcomes anyone who wants to have a go at longsword dancing.

Venue: Burton Street Foundation, Hillsborough
Times: Wednesday evenings 8-10pm

Get in touch or just turn up if you’d like to join a session.

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