| Where: | Grenoside, Yorkshire outside the Old Harrow Inn |
| When: | Boxing Day 26th December (when Boxing Day falls on a Sunday it moves to Monday 27th instead) |
| Time: | 11am |
Grenoside Sword Dancers are a team with records dating back over 150 years and probably much longer. Traditionally they perform on their home turf every Boxing Day with a side of six dancers, accompanied by musicians and a captain. The dancers hold their own sword by the hilt and the tip of the neighbouring dancers sword in the other hand so they form an unbroken chain in a unique dance featuring a ritual “beheading” movement of the captain with interlinked swords. Clogs are worn by the team. They also perform at a range of venues and festivals throughout the year (see website for details). Guest sides also dance on Boxing Day and Yorkshire Carols [link] are sung afterwards.
(Filmed on a very blustery Boxing Day. Apologies for the wind noise — we hope it doesn’t spoil your enjoyment!)
Helpful Hints
When 26th falls on a Sunday the dancing normally moves to Monday 27th instead.
Handsworth has a similar tradition [link] as do other dance teams around the country.
Click here for the event website : http://grenosword2010.apwb.com/
and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GrenosideSwordDancers/
The dancing takes place outside the Harrow pub set on the cross-roads of Norfolk Hill and Stephen Lane. The roads are blocked off to traffic in this immediate area and a large crowd gathers across the roads and up the pavements. A little before 11 the dancers can be heard walking up the road. they form their dance troupe and dance as per the video.
when I went the BBC were filming the event for a future programme (They didn’t say when this was to be). Other dance groups also performed including Maltby Phoenix Sword and Lizzie Dripping. Sheffield Carols are sung in the pub after the dancing.
The event is suitable for all ages and is a good reason to get outside on Boxing Day and of course there are lovely walks in Greno and Wheata woods about a mile away Parking is a bit difficult as Grenoside has narrow streets and steepish hills so get there early and be prepared for a bit of a wait.
On my way back to my car Death stepped out and made a huge fuss of my dog,he even put down his tombstone and scythe to do so, he didn’t tell me so but I think he may have had something to do with further revelry in the pub.
All in a nice event