HOGHTON RAPPER SWORD TEAM

Native to Northumberland and Durham, Rapper Sword Dancing is one of the two types of traditional English Sword Dancing; Longsword Dancing is associated with Yorkshire and South Durham - and a number of European countries have very similar dance traditions.

In the early 1960's a young Northumbrian (George Rowe) was appointed to the staff of Hutton G.S.; he also joined Hoghton Folk Dance club and soon interested some of the young men there in forming a Rapper team.  Displays were put on at a number of local Women's Institutes, Garden Parties and School Fetes.  For some years practices were held in a team member's kitchen!  They were then transferred to Fulwood Boys' Hostel on Watling Street Road before moving to Fulwood Methodist Church - where the team has been based for more than twenty years.

The repertoire expanded to include Cotswold Morris Dancing and Longsword Dancing and, occasionally, our displays include an exponent of Lancashire Clog Dancing.  In fact we can put on quite a varied show!

We are always on the lookout for new members - to dance or to play.  Practices are held fortnightly and further details can be had from Roy Smith (Tel. 01772  716772) or Thomas Calderbank (Tel. 01772 731483).  The annual programme still includes local events but it also grew to include folk festivals and Morris Ring Meetings up and down the country; Preston's twin town of Recklinghausen has been visited too.