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Folk Dance in the Thames Valley
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Folk Dance in the Thames Valley |
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50th Anniversary (local newspaper article at the time)To mark the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Earley Folk Dance
Group, a reunion social evening was held at St Peter's School Hall on
Saturday. The group was formed on January 24, 1929 at the adjoining church
hall which is still the usual meeting place (1979). |
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| 2009 marks the 80th anniversary of our group |
| The group had its origins in the annual May Day celebrations held at St Peter's School. In the Parish magazine of 1910 the following article appears: |
| May-Day at S. Peter's Schools A large gathering assembled to witness our May-Day Revels which were held on Friday April 29th in the School play-ground. The weather favoured us, the rain holding off until all the proceedings were over. The children had previously chosen Lilian Norris as their May Queen, and the little Queen acted her part exceedingly well. S Peter's Hall was used as the dressing room, and when all were attired in their various finery the little trumpeter (Fred Lewington) gave the signal for the procession to start. Marching in the procession were the trumpeter, the herald (Albert Akehurst), the Morris dancers (Infant school children), the May-pole dancers, the Queen, her two pages (Herbert Fisher and Leonard Shepherd) bearing her train, and eight maids of honor (Sarah Cannings, Joan Templeton, Edith Gibbs, Annie Wilde, Maggie Nash, Alice Hannay, Hilda Dormer, Lizzie Brooker). On reaching the throne the trumpeter sounded a fanfare, and the herald proclaimed that Lilian Norris had been duly elected Queen for this year, and called on Mrs Fowler to crown her. The crown of flowers was beautifully made by Miss Johnson, and Mr Johnson kindly sent all the flowers for the maids of honour. Mrs Fowler very kindly gave a beautifil silver and enamel butterfly brooch to the May Queen as a memento of the occasion. The crowning ceremony over, the Queen made a little speech of thanks, and then called on her various subjects for songs, Morris dances, "Sir Roger", May-pole dances, etc. Everything passed off without a hitch, and Mr Wooldridge, Miss Pearce, Miss Liddiard, Miss Woodrooffe, and all who helped them, are to be heartily congratulated on the great success of their efforts. We sincerely hope these May-day revels will be a yearly event at S. Peter's Schools. |
| In 1911 Annie Carter was May Queen. Songs included "Now is the month of Maying", "Come lasses and Lads" and "O no, John". There were Quadrilles, the corkscrew dance, Morris and Maypole dances. Mr W Brown kindly presented a large old fashioned picture "Raising the Maypole" which will be hung in S Peter's Hall. |
| 1912 saw Rose Spratley elected as May Queen |
| Mabel Worsfold presided over a somewhat quieter May Day in 1913 |
| In 1914 the weather was a little unkind but the sun shone at intervals during the singing, morris, country and maypole dancing. The Queen (Susie Goddard) wore a floral crown from the gardens of Maiden Erleigh. |
| 1915 was "The Sixth Annual May Day Celebration" according to the parish magazine of that year, which suggests that the custom started in 1909 the year before the first article written in 1910 (above). May Marshall was Queen with the performances happening under what was described as "a glaring sun". |
| 1916 Empire Day and May Day celebrations were combined this year. Phylis Wakefield was Queen. The May Day programme was: Maypole plaiting; song "Come, Lasses and Lads"; country dance "If all the World were Paper"; country dance "Catching of Quails"; morris dance "Processional and Blue-eyed Stranger"; infants game "Blue Bird"; country dance "Old Mole"; country dance "Winifred's Knot"; morris dance "Rigs o' Marlow"; country dance "Dull Sir John"; infants game "Pop goes the weasel"; country dance "Sellengers Round". |
| 1917 Alice May was Queen on the 24th May. The proceedings ended with Sellengers Round being danced by nearly 150 children. |
| The May Day celebrations continued, it seems, combined with Empire Day events around 24th May each year. |
| In 1929 the then headmaster Mr Willoughby and enthusiastic teachers and pupils formed the Earley Folk Dance Group. Mr Willoughby taught the boys Morris and Sword dances for the May Day celebration. This was usually held on a Tuesday at the end of May in the Manor House gardens. |
| The May Day celebrations finished in 1958, also this year Empire day was replaced by Commonwealth Day on 12 June. |
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Long Sword Dance |
Maypole Dance |
The May Queen and Attendants |
