We began our dancing by re-learning the traditional dance Swalwell which was taught at the first workshop we attended.

The Swalwell notation was written down by Cecil Sharp and originally published in 1911:

"Swalwell is a populous mining village within a few miles of Newcastle, situated on the Durham bank of the Tyne. The Swalwell sword dancers, or guizards as they are often called, perform annually on Christmas Eve and on the following days. Their performance differs from Earsdon and every other village I investigated, in that it consists of the dance only, without any acting or singing. I have been told, however, that at one time the performance included the usual introductory song by the Captain with its short mummer-like sequel, both of which were very similar to those presently to be described in the Earsdon dance. But this must have been some time ago, for Mr J E Taylor, a resident in the neighbourhood, assures me that the form of the dance has not materially changed within his recollection, and his memory goes back a great many years. The dancers are five in number, and are accompanied by a Captain and a man dressed in woman's clothes, called the Bessy, Betty, or dirty Bet, who carries a box and collects the money."

The notation for The Swalwell Sword Dance can be found here.

We then worked on our second dance - our first "original" one. This was initially rather inappropriately called the Number 2 dance.

We have now moved on from such childish notions and have given it a proper name - Riggwelted - which means:

"When a sheep is on its back and cannot turn over it is said to be riggwelted. A person who cannot get up may also say that they are riggwelted. "

It originates from the Old Norse "rygg" meaning shoulder and "velte" meaning to overturn.

Oddly enough there is a beer with a similar name.

We then worked on our third dance - Rigmarole - and are now working on our fourth.

Our music is currently supplied by either a harmonica or melodeon, but we can draw on an accordian or a fiddle if we're pushed, and a banjo, too, in particularly threatening situations.