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Traditional Sword Dance Weekend
Just to let you all know and keep you informed there will be a traditional sword dance weekend held this year on the 5th & 6th of May in Goathland. The teams attending are the only remaining traditional sword dance teams left in the British Isles dancing there own dance, they comprise of Hansworth, Grenoside, Flamborough, High Spen Blue Diamond, & PAPA STOUR. This will be the first time these teams have ever danced together in the same location I hope you will all be able to attend and show your support, as it should be a great weekend that may never be repeated. There will also be a guest apperance by Snark.
Day Of Dance 14.01.2012
The day started with the usual parade through the village to the shops where 4 teams danced before going off in different directions to dance out side all the houses in the village, this concluded with all teams dancing at Beckhole, The weather stayed in favour of the dancers and the spectators who enjoyed a full body of 24 dancing stots plus bursting at the seams of musicians. We would like to thank every one that supported us on the day with the usual festive drinks and food. The total of the collection was Box 1 (Dave Beeforth) £188.52p Box 2 (Keith Jackson) £204.66p & Box 3 (Keith Thompson) £81.22p.
This was followed in the evening with the Traditional Roast Beef Dinner in the Parish Room provided by Mrs Joan Flintoff & her helpers who we offer a massive “Thank You” for the service they provided.
Keith Thompson accepted the role of life long president to take over from the late Michael Atkinson MBE who sadly passed away in September.
The much sought after award of the pigs ear was greatly accepted by Mick Roberts who’s sash fell down leaving him in a state of undress, but it could have been easily won by our gallant treasurer who did not know when our Day of Dance is (quiz night at Whitby) even though it is around his birthday (life begins now Andy)
The first draw of the 50 + club took place after the dinner and the first prize of a £100 was won by Mr & Mrs I. Cox of Abbots House, the second prize of £75 was won by Mr I. Riches, third prize of £50 was won by Mr K. Thompson, with the fourth prize of £25 going to Mr L. Atkinson. The second draw will take place in June 2012.
Blessing Of The Plough 08.01.2012
The blessing of the plough service was held at St Mary Church where 2 teams danced in front of the alter after the plough had been blessed. This was a new experience to some of the congregation who had travelled to Goathland to witness this age-old village tradition.
Whitby Folk Week 26.08.2011
We had a team in Whitby all week again this year, although we were not on the programme till Tuesday (they forgot to send us an invite) we busked Sat. Sun & Monday. On Sunday it was one of those rare occasions when the 3 of the oldest dance teams were all together, Handsworth, Flamborough and the Goathland Plough Stots. The last time that happened was at the 2008 Sword Spectacular in York and it was as special on Sunday as it was 3 years ago.
We also had the pleasure of Paul Davenport playing for us through the week (who we are ever grateful too) having had the rules and regulations read to him by our resident musician Steve, We had a nice surprise as Eliza joined us for the Monday dance spots.
Friday was a wash out, as we arrived in Whitby to see a fire engine at the Station public house we feared the worst but it was pumping water from the cellar and the ale was not affected. We were down to carry the garland in the parade but it did not go ahead due to the rain, but the Plough Stots did the guard of honour at the final ceilidh at the Spa.
Goathland Flower & Veg Show 20.08.2011
We had 2 teams at the show; the juniors as always danced with gusto & enthusiasm (it is a pleasure teaching them the dance), and a mixed team of adults & intermediates, the weather stayed fine through out and I think the show had a very good day.
Whitby Folk Weekend 30.05.2011
This was another weekend when we had fine weather; we had 2 intermediates (Luke & Callum) dancing with the senior team and they did very well, by the end of the year I don’t think we will have an intermediate team as they are all growing and performing as adults now.
Malton & Norton Folk Weekend 19.03.2011
We had 3 teams out this weekend a senior team an intermediate & a junior team, we had girls dancing in the intermediate & juniors it seems so long ago but it was this festival in 2010 when our girls first danced out in Plough Stot colours.
This year we had good weather all day and it was enjoyed by all the teams that were dancing in the market square.
We have received an invite for next years Folk Weekend but it is a few weeks later than this year, it will be posted in our forth-coming events section 2012
Day Of Dance 15.01.2011
The day started as usual with the parade leaving the Reading Room and processing to the shops, but unlike any other year it was behind a JCB, not any old JCB but Malcolm Worley’s, driven by Tim Reeves (another old Plough Stot) carrying a memorial seat dedicated to the memory of Malcolm a devout villager that is going to be placed out side the shops. Keith said a few words (as few as Keith can get) before we started the dancing, we had 3 teams (2seniors & a Junior) who perambulated round the village collecting on their way (Keith Jackson Box 1 £161.66p, John Atkinson Box 2 £204.78p, Keith Thompson Box 3 £119.53p totalling £485.97p) ending up at Beckhole & dry as a bone this year (at least on the outside) where the juniors started the dancing off with a fine display of Longsword dancing followed by 3 senior teams vying for the rights of superiority (Jack lost).
The villagers as usual gave their support and we had a fantastic day been fed sausage buttys by Keith & Sandra Simmonds (No tomato ketchup next year please I got a right roasting for it being on the tunics) bacon buttys at the Goathland Hotel and a warming soup & hunk of bread at the Birch Inn at Beckhole.
The “Plough Rosh” was held at the Inn on the Moor, we started proceedings on a very sombre note with a minute silence in memory of 2 members “Gone, but will never be forgotten” after the meal we were entertained by guest speaker Mr Richard Traves (Flamborough) giving a very interesting after dinner speech how his Mother & Aunt used to dance the Flamborough Sword Dance going as far a field as Derby.
This was very interesting, as I have always been led to believe that it was A MAN only routine and that I had been seeing things when I saw pictures of girls doing the Goathland dance to raise money for the forces during the war (Cathy Mitchell Evening Post archives), so it was very reassuring to get the support of the Goathland villagers for dancing the village girls and it is a grand salute to those who tried to oppose it ever happening.
The evening ended with the draw of the Duck Race tickets, as we were unable to float the ducks due to the river drying up (I do not think it has ever happened before) then torrential rain flooded the beck making it impossible for us to hold the race on the Goathland beck but the names drawn are as follows.
1st Prize Dr P R Sowerby
2nd Prize GPS
3rd Prize GPS
4th Prize Mrs V Jones and the Rubber Duck went to: 5th Prize Miss A Beeforth
Plough Sunday 09.01.2011
The Plough Sunday Church service was held on the correct day this year as all roads in & out of Goathland were clear of snow unlike last year. The Plough Stots offered the banner & plough to the alter followed by the 2 sets of locked swords after dancing a Senior & a Junior team in church and it was pleasing that the sermon noted the changes that we have done to the team to ensure it’s continuation
Jim & Malcolm 2010
Unfortunately we have lost two distinguished and long serving members of the Plough Stot family. Mr Jim Graham whose father Max was one of the 1921 revival team dancers and Mr Malcolm Worley who was a stalwart to the Plough Stot team training many youngsters, they will be missed but there memory will live on in the Ploiugh Stot dancers.
Musicport, Bridlington 2010
We danced three spots at the Spa in Bridlington on Sunday 24th October. The first spot was outside the main entrance sharing this spot with Mr Traves and his Flamborough team. the last spot we danced in the main hall between band chganges.
Goathland Plough Stot Weekend 2010
This was a nice wind down from the Whitby Folk Week,We had a team of youngsters out both days. On Saturday Barnsley Long Sword, Snark & Goathland & on Sunday Ebor & Flamborough who also managed to turn out a junior side as well travelled on the trains between Grosmont & Pickering dancing at the stations collecting for the NYMR, we managed to raise in the region of £130 to help with their fund raising.
On Saturday evening we had a BBQ at the Inn on the Moor for all the dancers who were participating, on Sunday the teams danced around Goathland at various locations dodging the rain showers ending up at the watering hole of Beckhole,
We managed to collect £248.09 for the Plough Stots fund.
Whitby Folk Week 2010
We had a full team dancing all week at Whitby this year although it rained on a couple of occasions it was not enough to stop the festival been another success.
Goathland Flower & Veg Show 2010
We had 2 teams at this local run show, a senior team & a junior team, It was the second time the villagers had seen the girls dancing in the junior team & the feed back that I got was that the villagers were delighted to see all the village children having the choice of joining the Plough Stots if they wished, and the bonus was the weather was glorious.
Goathland Rotary Endeavour 2010
It was a fine day for this charity event at the village parish room, we had a senior team and a mixed junior team to help with the fund raising.
Malton & Norton Folk Weekend 2010
This was the first dance out since the day of dance in January & the weather was just as bad raining most of the day, we had the junior team with us and the new recruits
(3 girls) did very well, I will take this opportunity to let all that visit our web site that this year we have had to make some very large decisions as a team to ensure that we can still carry the tradition of the Plough Stots into the next generation.
Firstly Keith Thompson stood down as secretary this year after 20+ years doing the job & far more years as a team member although he is still on hand to call for inspiration or his knowledge in running the team, which is much appreciated, he has also taught, (along with other senior members), a lot of village youngsters to dance Longsword.
Secondly with 4 of the juniors having to move up a division so to speak due to their size it left us short of dancers to fill the junior team & as they are doing really well it was not fair on the 3 dancers left not to be able to dance any more. With only another 11 years to go to our centenary celebration of the reforming of the Plough Stots by Frank Dowson this will be the age group that should be the senior team dancing in 2021 & we have to make sure that we have a team dancing in 2021 so the decision was made by the senior members of the team to allow the young girls of the village to be part of the team.As a village team we still dance our own dance & as there is very few teams left that can boast that privilege we do not want to fall by the side as happened to our neighbours Sleights, Aislaby or Loftus & up to a couple of years ago all the dancers had been born in the village or moved to work in the village, & like many rural villages youngsters move away to work so the children of the villages are getting fewer.
Also with regards to the change of chairman Mike Smith has now stood down as Chairman and Leslie Atkinson has been appointed as his replacement.
Blessing Of The Plough 2010
This year has dealt us the worst weather that we have seen for many years, the road from Whitby to Pickering was closed due to the snow drifting on the 10th January forcing the cancellation of the Blessing of the Plough church service which we managed, with the help of Stuart (the church reader), to fit it in with the morning service on the 17th January, the day after the Day of Dance. We danced in the church with the juniors taking centre stage and it was much appreciated by the congregation as it had not been done before to our knowledge.
Day Of Dance 2010
The day started in the usual way with the parade from the Reading Room to the shops but this year it was done in the sleet & rain, we had 2 senior teams dancing & a team of juniors helped swell the ranks, after a quick couple of dances out side the shops we then sampled the warm Goathland hospitality of the residents that thought we would call it a day and brought baskets of warming brandy’s, whiskey’s & toddys to us, so not to let the watchers & followers down we retired to the shelter of the parish room where we gave all that came a full run through of all the dance figures including the
8 man “No Mans Jig” shown to us earlier in the year by Olli from Green Ginger who had notes passed to him by the late Jack Scarth (Thanks Olli).
Yet in the true GPS style we could not be put off & we split into 2 teams and hit the village so to speak, 1 team going North the other South meeting up below the school & ending the day as usual at Beckhole where the river was in full flow. The evening meal of the traditional Roast Beef Dinner was held at the Inn on the Moor with the guest speaker Mr Phil Heaton giving us a high lighted report of our retiring secretary Keith’s 20 years in office, ending with Mick Atkinson presenting him with a splendid pocket watch.
We would like to thank all the villagers that supported us with warming drinks & beverages it was so appreciated & those that donated to the collection box’s a sincere thanks it helped to raise £150 that we are donating to the Air Ambulance.
The collection this year raised £399.75p from the 2 boxes’ we had out on the tour, box 1 carried by Dave Atkinson with £265.40p, box 2 carried by John Atkinson raised £134. 35p
Beverley Folk Festival 2009
The weekend was a great success having a team both Saturday and Sunday with the juniors dancing on the Sunday also, the weather was not very favourable on the Saturday with out breaks of thundershowers but the day went as well as could be expected. On Sunday the weather was ideal as though it had been ordered especially for the event. We also managed to dance both teams at a charity do held in the church hall between dance programmes for the fee of a cup of tea and a home baked cake. We hope to see you all at Pickering on the 1st August where we hope to have 3 teams dancing. We start the day at Goathland Station just after 12 noon arriving at Pickering about 1.30pm.
Moor & Coast 2009
The weekend was sad but an enjoyable one, sad that it was the last Moor & Coast Festival but enjoyable as we had the youngsters dancing out for the first time this year and they did us very proud, they held their places at Dock End, Bandstand & the Station on the Saturday dancing several numbers at each venue and drew bigger crowds of spectators than several of the senior teams dancing at the same locations not only did we have young dancers out we had a young musician, young Tom Smith played his fiddle with gusto and did very well keeping his father to the right tempo, it was a little difficult getting them passed the arcades but a promise of fish & chips when we got to the Dock End seemed to work. The senior team danced both Saturday & Sunday and that’s a first for many a year. With regret that this is the last Moor & Coast we thank all the organisers of the event & if they feel that Whitby would benefit in the future of having another Moor & Coast event lets hope they take the bull by the horns so to speak.
The Day Of Dance 2009
The day started with the usual procession from the Reading Room to the shops.
Having a good turn out of dancers & musicians we had 2 senior teams (with nearly a spare team in stand by) and a team of juniors, we toured the village as one merry band again giving all a show of strength and solidarity as well as the spectacular show of the Plough Stot sword dancing.
The day stayed fine for us and we got to Beckhole dry but slightly cold & some of us a little Happy due to Malcolm & Keith plying us with their gifts from the Komna visit (slivovitz & Keith’s best malt)
We had the great honour of having the Squire of the Ring Mr Brian Tasker & his wife Caroline visiting our little festivities for the weekend and his punishment for that was to be our guest speaker at the evening dinner at the Inn on the Moor where Malcolm & Judy put on yet another fantastic meal & thank’s go to them for the continued support that they give to the Goathland Plough Stots.
Our thanks to Keith & Sandra & the Goathland Hotel & any others that helped to feed us on our rounds it was appreciated.
The 3 collection box’s for the day were carried by (1) Malc Worley (2) Keith Thompson & (3) Keith Jackson. (1) £84.07 (2) £111.08 (3) £185.01 a total of
£380.16.
Blessing of the Plough 2009
This took place on Sunday the 11/01/2009 at St Mary’s church. The service was taken by two Readers Stuart Turner and in his words “got off the hook again” by having the help of fellow Reader David Haddon-Reece. Plough Stot John Atkinson read the Ecclesiastes (Keith Thompson was unwell and unable to attend the church service)
Latest News
Firstly I apologise for the lack of updates but i have relocated so with the upheaval of moving and starting new employment the computer was one of the last things unpacked. The Pickering Folk Festival was called off as the ground was waterlogged, i think that is a first that Goathland had a team ready to dance but no venue to attend. We put a team out in Whitby at the Rotary Club Country Fair, dancing twice. Dave Webster found a corner of the field to practice his Bull Whip Cracking (he aquired the bullwhip from his friends in Germsany "Uberlinger"). Les Atkinson has resigned as Chairman and Mike Smith has taken the post.
Sword Spectacular 2008
The 5th International Sword Spectacular was held at York this time around, we enjoyed fine weather, but very windy. Our friends Podsable Komna made the trip again. Their hospitality knows no bounds, as they made one member of our team very welcome till the early hours of Saturday morning (3am to be exact) YES it was I!!! We had 3 new members with us this time and they danced on both days, WELL DONE to Dave S, Richard and Dave W. The weekend ended with a gala at The Theatre Royal. A big thanks to Sue for the photos which saved the day as someone forgot to charge the batteries on our camera oops! Our secretary Keith Thompson made the team and danced all day on Saturday and we did several dance locations. Although his knees are crocked he showed dedication finishing his day at The Theatre Royal with his "walking on" song and a cracking speech thanking Renaat Van Craenenbroeck & Trevor Stone.
Moor & Coast Festival 2008
The Moor and Coast Festival was another success with fine weather and greatly enjoyed by all the dancers. Our friends Spen Valley Long Swords were also there dancing with their own swords this year!! An added attraction was dancing on the station platform when The Sir Nigel Gresley (Engine No. 60007) visited Whitby.
Day Of Dance 2008
The Day of Dance went as smooth as a Plough Stot function usually does. We had a good turn out of dancers, musicians and spectators. The day started with the usual parade from the Reading room to the shops where the dancing started, we managed to get around the entire village with out getting wet (on the out side), ending the day at the Birch Hall at Beckhole.
The evening lunch was a great success at the Inn On The Moor, but also a little sad as one of our older members Mr Ian McCaig is leaving Goathland with his family for a new life in France, he was presented with the prestigious award that is very rarely given out of “The Wooden Plough Share or Plough Sock” as our president
Mick Atkinson MBE explained to the assembled diners. Also we awarded two more this year one to the Carthy/Waterson (Martin, Norma & Eliza) family for their contribution to the Goathland Plough Stots and one to Mr Les Atkinson (Chairman) for the long and loyal service to the Plough Stots.
One of the other prestigious awards that Keith delights in giving is the Pigs Ear Award (that I got last year), was awarded to Chris Hutchins (for a SLIGHT mistake he made), we would like to thank Aubs for the speech (Bull Shit Deflectors, Soap Box and all), our resident speaker Mr Chris Newton with the Shifty Sid Award.
Mr Keith Thompson was issued a permit to street collect around Goathland and Goathland Parish for the aid of the Goathland Plough Stots on the 12th January 2008, there was no expenditures or payments to be deducted out of the donations that totalled £478.84, A big thank you to all who donated and we hope you enjoyed the show; also I would like to thank Mr Bob West for his gift of the photos that he took on the day.
Whitby Folk Festival
Unfortunately I could not make the Whitby Folk Festival this year so I am asking (Or Pleading) for any one who could donate pictures taken from the event showing the Goathland Plough Stots in all their glory to update the Dance Gallery. The Goathland Plough Stots were seen marauding on the beach with the Garland heading towards the bandstand. I have been told they resembled the Vikings hitting our shores with swords slung over their right shoulders, or as someone else said "More like Captain Beaky (i.e Mr Keith Thompson) & his band. I am lead to believe it was an enjoyable day for everyone and nice to have Eliza take a day out of her hectic work schedule to come and play along side Stevie Pierson for the Goatland Plough Stots. Well Done everyone.
Blessing of the Plough
The Blessing of the plough service will be held at St Mary's church, Goathland on the 6th January 2008, the service starts at 10.30am. All welcome
Day Of Dance
The Day of Dance is the annual thrash around the village will be on the 12th January 2008 starting with the parade from the Reading Room to the 1st dance location outside the local Shops. Everyone is welcome to come and join in the festivities.
Visit To The Royal Albert Hall London
On the 12 / 5 / 07 the team visited the Royal Albert Hall as guests of
Martin, Norma, Mike & Eliza to take part in their concert " A Mighty River
of Song" a celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Waterson Families
appearance at the venue. Setting of from Goathland at 6.30am Saturday &
getting back at 6.00am Sunday it was to be one long day, but what a day , a
day that will live long in the teams history & for those who went a memory
to cherish forever.
Arriving at the Hall at 1.30pm it soon became apparent that this was
special, very special & after lunch, sound checks & a run through we were
left to our own devices until the evening performance, left to explore a
simply magnificent building that was to host an unforgettable concert that
evening.
The evening performance by the Waterson Family was breathtaking, memorable
& moving especially the song Salty written by the much loved & missed Lal
all of which only underlined that which most people acknowledge they are
simply the best folk singing family for many years & its very doubtful if
they will be surpassed for years to come. For the team it is simply to
difficult to describe our feelings think of any word of joy & that will do,
all apply equally & in good measure but singularly cannot hope to capture
the over whelming pride we had that at long last what we would argue is the
finest traditional Long Sword Team in Britain took its dances to the
capital as part of the greatest concert in living years.
To use a Max Boyce catch phrase "I was their" & so where :-
Characters :- Keith Thompso,. Malcolm Worley, Les Atkinson
Dancers :- Jack Atkinson, David Atkinson, Daniel Atkinson, Allan Davies,
Ian Davies & John Atkinson.
Musicians :- Eliza Carthy, Steve Pierson, Andrew Smith., Sally Atkinson.
Plough Boys :- Elliot Mayes, Alexander & Mikey Simmonds, Kyle Skelton
Not forgetting our seamstress Leslie Mayes without whose efforts the ever
expanding frames of the team might not have looked so well turned out, also to
anybody else who helped our heartfelt thanks.
Follow that if you can.
Moor & Coast Weekend 2007
Just ironing out the cobwebs on the Sunday before the trip to The Royal Albert Hall, London as guests of the Waterson Family at The Mighty River Of Song, we danced at the two whitby based venus which were The Dockend and The Bandstand, all went well and a great time was had by all, the weather held out well for the team and the groupies, a real added bonus seen as most of us were in tents. One of the other Longsword teams " Spen Valley Longsword" who were dancing at this venue made the trip from the West Yorkshire area without the Swords causing much merryment but as this is a friendly sport some swords were leant to them so they could join in the fun.