DANCE TRADITIONS
From the late 1970s, Redbornstoke concentrated on Bledington, but included others, (e.g. Badby). Our own Ampthill tradition was first devised in 1983. Ducklington became our main tradition along with Ampthill from 1986 (also the Upton-upon-Severn hanky dance). Ducklington led to Bampton and back to Bledington along with an expanded Ampthill. December 1998 saw the world premiere of the Marston tradition, danced in black kit for the winter months. Look out for the recently discovered Scouthall tradition, which has now displaced Bledington from our repertoir. The Ampthill tradition (which now makes up most of our repertoire) contains homegrown tunes written by Barry Goodman, Brian Mander, Taz Tarry and Martin Banks.
Ampthill | Our own tradition, named after the Georgian market town in Mid-Bedfordshire where we practise. Cotswold in style, constantly developed and refined by the side's hereditary foreman. Many dances are done to tunes written by side members. Normally danced by six men, there is a five-man dance, danced for absent friends and two three-man jigs. |
Upton upon Severn | This tradition has only two dances, the stick dance and the hanky dance. We do one of them. |
Marston | The side unearthed this little known winter dance tradition in the Vale of Marston. A unique mixture of Border and Molly, the few dances we have researched are now danced with great, if disorientated, enjoyment by the side. |
Scouthall | Pronounced "Scuthle", this Cotswold-style tradition was unearthed in Mid-Bedfordshire just a few years ago. One to watch! |
