Question 1

What do I need to bring?

Accepted Answer

Just bring yourself - and optionally a friend!

Question 2

What is sword dancing?

Accepted Answer

This is a predominantly Yorkshire tradition, also known as longsword. A group of typically six dancers form a circle, each joined by the hilt and tip of a dancing sword. They then perform a number of figures to musical accompaniment of fiddle or melodeon.

Question 3

Are the swords dangerous?

Accepted Answer

No! A dancing sword resembles a large palette knife about 3 feet long. While made of steel, the edges are blunt so they cannot cut, and have cylindrical wooden handles similar to a file.

Question 4

How old is the tradition?

Accepted Answer

No one really knows when it began, but we can trace the Grenoside team and dance back at least 200 years. It is an unbroken tradition that has always been based in the village of Grenoside

Question 5

Where can see the dance performed?

Accepted Answer

We dance as often as we can at local and national events. Our traditional day of dance is Boxing Day at 11am outside The Old Harrow, Main Street, Grenoside. We also perform  at a number of spots around the village on our annual 'traipse',  on the first Saturday after the first Sunday in January

Sword dancing taster session

Sword Dancing Taster Session

Good to know

Location

Grenoside Reading Room

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