Dance heritage

It was “an enjoyable way of keeping a tradition alive ,” according to organiser Carole Ballard.

Twenty dancers, some from Maidstone and Seaford as well as locally, plus members of a junior dance group, tried out three of Carole’s collection of six dances. Carole was “very pleased” those who had never tried this type of dancing before as well as those who had come together and all managed to put life into the notations to form dance ‘teams’.

She would like to thank everyone who made the day a success and especially melodeonist Geoff Ritson of Spinning Jenny Band who provided musical support.

Sussex Tradition in the Making is Carole’s book and a collection of six dance notations of 1990s Sussex origin, with diagrams and suggested tunes, ready to bring to life.

The dances include a processional street dance with repeating choruses, ones for teams of eight or multiples of four, spot dances and Sussex Garland, which is for five dancers. All these were performed amongst many others by Sussex Spinning Jenny during their 23 years as a clog team. These six dances are not archived anywhere else but can now go on a bookshelf as a custom to be passed down.

• The cost is £6.50 including P&P.

To obtain your copy please contact Carole Kay Ballard on 01424 893252 or email [email protected]