The
Greenwood Step Clog Dancers are based in Nottingham in the UK, and
were formed in 1974 by Sue Grimes. We danced for the opening of the
Broadmarsh Centre. At that time her husband was our musician. We were
formed as an off shoot of NTMC (Nottingham Traditional Music Club
1967 - 1989), and consisted of the wives / morris widows of Dolphin
Morris, Sullivans Sword, Old Oss Mummers and a rapper side. EFDSS
connected Griff Jones put us in touch with Mandy for the basic Lancashire
steps.
We dance step clog, mostly from northern
England, Scotland, and Wales, and choreograph all dances to suit our
members and create a varied spectacle.
Step-clog dancing involves fast and intricate steps, performed
wearing clogs with wooden soles (ideally made of ash wood) and leather
uppers. The best surface to dance on is a smooth resonant surface
such as slate or hard wood.
Wooden soled shoes were once common in industrial areas, particularly
in northern England, south Scotland and south Wales. Step-clog dancing
has been performed in these areas since the middle of the 19th century,
sometimes in competition, sometimes as Music Hall entertainment.
We dance at dawn every year on the 1st of May, about 5.15a.m.,
usually at Nottingham Castle.We share this event with the Foresters
Morris Men, and all join for breakfast afterwards.
We often dance out with the Foresters
Morris Men and Stone
Monkey rapper sword, since we have several family members in
common.
Some of our members are involved in Freds
Folks Ceilidh Band. |
Our 2015 programme of dancing out will appear here in due course. It will include the following.
- Visits to Harlaxton College of the University of Evansville
- Dawn on 1st May at the Robin Hood statue near Nottingham Castle
- Most Mondays from May to July dancing at local pubs
- The Robin Hood Beer Festival at Nottingham Castle in October
- Boxing Day at Bottesford
Ongoing events.
- Every Monday from
September to April: practices at Queen's
Walk Community Centre, 8pm to 10pm.
- The monthly
Folk Sessions at the King William IV (Sneinton) "King Billy"
on every second Tuesday of most months. Come & sing &
play & clog in a tight space. Check here
before going!
Always check before attending any event.
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Photos from our 2015 shows so far are now on-line here,
as well as links to photos of earlier years.
Any photos always welcome, email them to Eric!
New:
Videos from Brewhouse Yard and Nottingham Castle by Trina are here.
New:
The music page here has been updated with new tiunes.
In addition there are many videos available on YouTube by searching for "Greenwood Clog".
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Who we are ...