Teams 2009

Kirkburton Rapier Dancers

Kirkburton Rapier DancersKirkburton Rapier Dancers are a Huddersfield based team who perform their own dances in the Yorkshire longsword tradition. They have performed at rushbearing many times, including the very first modern event in 1977.

The team perform throughout the year, either at local venues, as the guests of other dance teams or at Folk and Dance Festivals throughout the country. The new year is always marked by a tour of Kirkburton village on January 1st.

The team currently performs five dances and boasts an impressive troupe of musicians. They dance in blue waistcoats, red knecker, black ribboned trousers and clogs.

Ryburn Long Sword (Saturday & Sunday)

Ryburn LongswordA local team, they formed in 1994 first danced at Rushbearing in 1995.

They perform traditional Yorkshire longsword dances. Evidence suggests that similar dances were being performed only a few miles from Ripponden in the 18th and 19th century.

Both the tall and short teams (their description) have been going for twelve years now and in that short time have established quite a reputation amongst the sword dance fraternity who gave the teams a standing ovation at their evening performance © C. Coe at The International Sword Spectacular 1998 in Whitby

Bradshaw Mummers
(Saturday & Sunday)

The Bradshaw Mummers were formed as a one-off entertainment for the now defunct Bradshaw Tavern Folk Club New Years' Eve party in 1972.

Since no one could think of an excuse to stop, they became a permanent side and have since inflicted themselves not just on Sowerby Bridge but the rest of the country as well including Chester. Middlewich, Beverley, Warwick, Bromyard, Clitheroe and anywhere else brave enough to book a team with its own resident pyromaniac.

Those of a nervous disposition or lovers of serious acting are advised to look away now!

© R. Sunderland