A HALSWAY

HAMPER

OF DANCES
Second Edition
Music
An accompanying CD of all the tunes published in this book is available.
The music has been recorded by Orion's Ring, which comprises Steve Hunt
(the composer of the tunes) on Piano Accordion and Genni Hunt (his daugh-
ter) on violin.

Both the CD and this book have been produced by Pawprints, which is the
Hunt Family! They have produced a number of other books and recordings
for Country Dance. For more details of other items, contact Steve at:

Pawprints
Meadow Cottage
Chapel Lane
Woodlands
 A HALSWAY HAMPER OF DANCES

These dances were devised to commemorate particular occasions or inci-

dents associated with Halsway Manor.

They have been brought together by the Friends of Halsway Manor as a re-
cord of the inventiveness and skill of the devisers and composers.

It is hoped that the dances will be enjoyed by a wider audience than that
originally involved on those special occasions.

The Friends are very grateful to all who have helped, in many different
ways to make this ‘Hamper’ possible All profits from the sale of this book-
let will go to the Friends of Halsway Manor.

The ’Hamper’ was originally packed by Eileen Palmer and Geoff Rye, and
this second edition acknowledges the excellent work done in the original
packing. This new edition has been prepared by Steve Hunt, to whom com-
plaints re breakages should be forwarded so that repairs can, if possible, be
made.
 16. TRIP TO THE MEWS
Formation: Four couple longways
Music: ’Trip to the Mews’ © Jim Baird.
CONTENTS

East Quantock ....................................K. Alexander - 1976 ......................1

Flight to Halsway ...............................F. Jenkins - 1981 ...........................2
The Good Man-agers of Halsway .......T. Cook - 1972 ..............................3
Half Acre ...........................................E. Morris-Wilson - 1973 ................4
The Halsway Bat ................................A. Purdie - 1981 ............................5
Halsway Manor ..................................B. Straggles - 1968 ........................6
Halsway Rag ......................................M. Hollis - 1982 ............................7
Halsway Sicilian.................................P. Shuldham-Shaw - n.d. ...............8
Halsway Weekend ..............................R. Beeson - 1976 ...........................9 Al 1-4 Partners back to back.
Helen’s Delight ..................................H. Salway - 1981 .........................10 5-8 Top couple cast singly to bottom of set while the others lead up
Miranda’s Muse (Mews).....................M. Perry - 1982 ...........................11 taking inside hands and cast at top to follow.
One Over the Eight .............................H. Meredith - 1981 ......................12 A2 1-4 Partners back to back.
Reginald Bids Me (revised version) ....T. Cook - 1981 ............................13 5-8 Leading couple, now at bottom of set cast up singly to original
Too Close for Comfort .......................M. Pote - 1982.............................14 places while others lead down taking inside hands and cast to fol-
low.
Trip to Halsway ..................................P. Boskett - 1966 .........................15
B1 1-4 Middle couples two changes of circular hey starting with partner
Trip to the Mews ................................J. Baird - 1982 .............................16 and then turn single away from partner WHILE end couples gypsy
right.
5-8 Gypsy left with contrary.

B2 1-4 In fours at each end, Men cross and then Ladies cross.
5-8 Middle couples turn once and a half and end couples turn once
with both hands to own side.

The above sequence is repeated three times to get back to original places,

© Jim Baird.

Jim Baird wrote the tune and devised the dance during the Spring Holiday Folk
Week 1982 and it was first danced by a group from the Canterbury Club.
 15. TRIP TO HALSWAY
Formation: Three couple longways.
Music: 32 bar jigs
MUSIC
A1 1-8 1st and 2nd couples right hand and left hand star WHILST 3rd
couple cross over and dance round the set to places (Man crosses As Luck Will Have It ......................... P. Shuldham-Shaw...................1965
outside partner).
Flight to Halsway............................... B. Jenkins ................................1981
A2 1-8 2nd and 3rd couples right hand and left hand star WHILST 1st Half Acre ........................................... J. Winsor .................................1973
couple cross over and dance round the set to places. Halsway Bat ...................................... R. Alexamder ..........................1981
Halsway Manor ................................. A. Corkett ................................1968
Bl 1-8 1st couple slip to bottom and back.
Stone’s Rag ....................................... Anon .........................................n.d.
B2 1-8 1st couple separate cast to bottom and form arch. Rest follow and Sukey Bids Me .................................. Anon .......................... 18th Century
return under arch to new places. Trip to the Mews ............................... J. Baird ....................................1982
© Peter Boskett

Peter Boskett devised the dance in 1966 and it is thus the first dance (so far as
we know) associated with the Manor. First published in Bristol Folk News,
Winter 1970/71.
 1. EAST QUANTOCK 14. TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT
Formation: Sicilian circle (couple facing couple). Formation: Longways duple minor. Dancers standing arms
Music: 32 bar fairly fast reel. by side, touching each other.
Music: 48 bar jig – played AB AB AB
Al Couples forward and back then pass through to face new couples Suggested tune ‘Haste to the Wedding’.
Circle left halfway with this couple and again pass through (all
now facing in opposite direction from starting positions
Al 1st couple right hand turn WHILST 2nd couple left hand turn.
A2 Repeat A1 from new position (all should finish in original places). 1st couple left hand turn WHILST 2nd couple right hand turn.

B1 Do-si-do and then swing opposite (finish with lady on right), Bl All do-si-do partners, two loud claps 2 hand turn partners.

B2 Right hand star once around. Swing partner (finish with lady on A2 2nd lady turns left and dances round 1st couple to partner’s place:
right facing a new couple ). 2nd man follows her round 1st lady but ’pops through’ to his part-
ner’s place.
Note: When passing through – pass by right shoulder.
B2 This figure (A2) repeated with 2nd man leading.

A3 2nd man takes 1st lady (right hand to right hand) down centre
WHILST 1st man casts out and walks down outside 2nd man and
1st lady turn individually so that 2nd man who is in the middle
gives his hands to 1st man and 1st lady (left hand to left hand and
right hand to right hand), lst couple joining inside hands to make
the ’triumph’ arch and lead up the set

B3 2nd couple move into 1st position; 1st couple drop into 2nd posi-
tion. (PROGRESSION)
Dance round once.

© Mavis Pote

Al = Too close for comfort: Bl = Shots are fired:

A2 and B2 = The Chase A3 = The Arrest:
Ken Alexander devised the dance. He and his wife, Naomi, hosted their first B3 Dancing resumed after the interval.
Halsway Weekend in 1976.

Copyright in the dance has been assigned to the Halsway Manor Society The dance was devised by Mavis Pote and the title suggested by Eda Dugmore.
It commemorates ’The Strange Shooting Affraye at Halsway Manor’ which oc-
curred on 29th August 1982.
 13. REGINALD BIDS ME 2. FLIGHT TO HALSWAY
Formation: Longways duple minor. 1st couple IMPROPER. Formation Three couples longways
Music: ‘Sukey Bids Me’, played AAB at a moderate tempo. Music: ‘Flight to Halsway’ - © Brian Jenkins

A1 1st couple half figure eight around 2nd couple, then lead between
2nd couple and half figure eight around 3rd couple, finishing in
2nd couple’s place facing up, with 2nd couple (now at top) facing
A1 1-2 Circle left half-way, then partners change places right shoulders down.
3-4 Ladies change places, moving outside their neighbours (up and
down the set) WHILE Men meet and fall back. A2 1st and 2nd man, 1st and 2nd lady all set right and left twice, then
A2 1-2 Circle right half-way then partners (up and down the set arm left starting along the line three changes of a circular hey, starting with
quickly once round. left hand.
3-4 Men change places moving outside their partners WHILE Ladies
meet and fall back. (PROGRESSION) Bl lst and 3rd couples, ladies chain up and down set
B 1-2 Lines taking hands move to the left then to the right.
3-4 All into line right shoulders with partners and fall back. B2 3rd couple lead up to top of set , cross and cast into 2nd place. All
5-8 Whole poussette, Men pushing to start, with the same couple. two hand turn partners halfway.

© Freda Jenkins

Devised by Tom Cook originally as a demonstration 4 couple set for one of

Reg Letheren’s weekends at Halsway, The above revised form was danced by
everyone at the 1981 Weekend. Copyright in the dance has been assigned by
Tom Cook to the Halsway Manor Society. Brian and Freda Jenkins are members of the Neston Group which regularly
visits Halsway Manor. The Group has raised considerable sums in support of
The tune, ’Sukey Bids Me’, was popular in the 18th century and was then set to the Friends of Halsway. Freda devised the dance and Brian, a member of the
various country dances both in England and America, The version given here is Cracknels Band, composed the tune. The dance was performed at Halsway in
taken from John Johnson’s ”Twelve Country Dances for the Harpsichord... February 1981. Both dance and tune have been published in ’Lancashire
collected for the Year 1749”. Wakes’ and in ’Neston Cross Dances’.
 3. THE GEUD MAN-AGERS OF HALSWAY 12. ONE OVER THE EIGHT
Formation: Formation: 5 ladies and 4 men in three lines of three with ladies in
Two or more duple-minor sets (with 1st couples lMPROPER and no neutral centres and men at corners men with a drinking glass, lady in middle
couples) arranged longways. When the number is 4 or more, the duple-minor of set holding a wine bottle:–
seta should be arranged in 2 or more longways sets of equal length, (which will MLM
not be completely possible if the number is prime!). L L L
Music: MLM
’Hunt the Squirrel’ : C.D. tunes, set XI), which was also substituted by Cecil Music: ”The Sailor’s Hornpipe”.
Sharp for the original Playford tune for ’The Geud Man of Ballangigh’.
To be played much more slowly than is usual. A Top 3 face down, others face up and all hey up and down the
Lines.
Neighbours face: take hands across the room.
B Left hand 3 face right wall, others face them and all hey across the
A1 1-4 All set right and left then turn neighbours both hands halfway and set.
partners face. Take hands up and down the room.
C Top right man faces centre on diagonal with lady and man facing
5-8 All set right and left, turn partners both hands halfway and him, all hey whilst the other sets of 3 circle right.
neighbours face. Take hands across the room.
A2 1-8 That again to original places. D Repeat C in reverse i.e. top left man faces centre, etc.

B1 1-4 Ladies cross Men cross , neighbours cross. E Four ladies circle right in middle WHILST centre lady arms right
with each man in turn (fairly quick). and returns to centre.
5-8 Men cross, Ladies cross neighbours cross (all cross right shoul-
der). Then hands four. F Men circle in centre raising glasses, centre lady in middle of circle
B2 1-4 Circle L halfway, then partners ”California Twirl” (i.e. keeping pouring wine (if any) from bottle into glasses, whilst all other la-
inside hands change places girls turning under the arch of the dies arm right with each other back to places
joined hands), FIRST PROGRESSION.
All back in place raising glasses.
6-8 Repeat 1-4 with next couple, SECOND PROGRESSION With the
end couples doing the Twirl only to change sides. THE WHOLE WITH AN AIR OF JOLLITY.

© Henry A. Meredith.

This dance was devised by Tom Cook in 1972 for a party in honour of Donald
and Marjorie Hunt, who were the first managers of Halsway Manor after its
opening as a folk centre in 1965. A dance devised by Henry A. Meredith and dedicated to Halsway Manor in
For that occasion the tune was renamed ’Hunt and his Missus’. The copyright September 1981.
in the dance has been assigned to the Halsway Manor Society.
 4. HALF ACRE
11. MIRANDA’S MUSE (MEWS) Formation: A round for three couples numbered clockwise.
Formation: Four couples longways Music: ‘Half Acre’
’Music: ‘Up with Aily’ or ’Hare’s Maggot (published in Country
Dance Tunes Set XI.)
Bars
1-6 Couples 1 and 4 half right hand turn with partner and Honour.
Couples 1 and 4 half left hand turn with neighbour and Honour.
All turn single outwards and away from neighbour

7-12 Couples 1 & 4 (in middle positions improper) do-si-do partners

then, men facing and ladies likewise change places rt. shoulder,
then all four cast (1st couple down and 4th. couple up) to
‘finishing positions’
WHILE
Couples 2 & 3 (proper) cross and cast (2nd couple down and 3rd
couple up), then, men meeting outside the other couples and ladies 1-16 Chorus All join hands, move forward to centre and back. Men set right
likewise turn two hands once round, then all four cast back (2nd and left to partner, and taking right hand turn her under his
couple up and 3rd couple down) and cross to proper sides in arm (lady turning single right) Drop hands and lady continues
’finishing positions’ round be- hind partner, moving into centre facing outwards.
All slow set and honour to right only and men hand partners
(Couples 1 and 3 finish at the bottom in a line of four facing up out to places.
(1st couple between 3rd couple); Couples 2 and 4 finish at the top, 17-32 Figure 1. 1st couple lead into centre and separate on their own sides to
partners side by side, all facing down, 2nd couple below 4th.) go under arches made by the 2nd and 3rd couples 1st couples
meet (opposite own places) & lead back to place. All turn
13-16 Couples 1 and 3 make arches and lead up, WHILST couples 2 and partners. Slow set and honour.
4 move down under the arches. Couples 2 and 4 circle left once. 1-16 Chorus As before.
Couples 1 and 3 circle left once (1st couple having placed 3rd cou- 17-32 Figure 2. 2nd couple lead into centre and separate (lady to 1st couple,
ple in top position). man to 3rd couple), circle with that couple, (lady anticlock-
wise, man clockwise Open out when in opposite place and
17-20 1st couple cast to bottom, cross and lead up to same place on own lead back to place. All turn partners. Slow set and honour.
side WHILST 4th couple cross up to top and cast to same place on 1-16 Chorus As before.
own side.’ 17-32 Figure 3. 3rd couple lead into centre and separate. Man heys with 1st
couple, lady heys with 2nd couple. Finish hey in own place.
The progression is somewhat unusual - the sequence at the start of each repeat All turn partners Slow set and honour.
is 3, 1, 4, 2; 4, 3, 2, 1; 2, 4, 1, 3. © Edith Morris-Wilson
© Miranda Perry This dance was devised by Edith Morris-Wilson to honour Reg Letheren, a
good friend to Halsway Manor on his 80th birthday in November 1973 which
The dance was devised by Miranda Perry during a Folk Holiday Week in was celebrated at the Manor. Half Acre was the name of his house. Joan
1982 Winsor, that creator of wonderful music at Halsway, was the composer of the
tune.
 5. THE HALSWAY BAT 10. HELEN’S DELIGHT
Formation: Three couples Longways Formation: Longways, duple minor. 2nd couple improper.
Music: ‘The Halsway Bat’ © Ralph Alexander. Music: 40 Bar Reels (fast American) played AAABB.
(A 40 bar polka played AABBA)
A1 All give right hand to partners and balance forward and back once,
then Box the Gnat. Give left hand to partners and Box the Flea,
then half turn by the left (all now in partner’s original place).

A2 Repeat A1 up and down the lines with neighbours

A3 Ladies chain (full).

Bl Right and left hand Stars

B2 Ladies change places then men change place All circle left half-
way. All turn partners halfway to finish in progressed position.

© Helen Salway.
A1 Middle couple cross lady going up, man down, dance a hey on he
wrong side.

A2 Middle couple cross back hey on own side to place.

B1 Middle couple turn each other by the right hand, turn 1st corners
by the left, each other by the right, 2nd corners by the left, each
other by the right to place.

B2 Top couple dance down the middle of the set and cast up to the
middle place. Dance 3 changes of circular hey with bottom couple.

A3 Repeat B2 with new top couple.

© Angus Purdie.

Devised in 1981 by Angus Purdie. It is dedicated to Bruce Green, manager at Devised by Helen Salway, whilst a member of staff at Halsway Manor in 1981,
Halsway Manor and an intrepid bat catcher, who gallantly went into action following the serving of a particular sweet at dinner - the connection is not ob-
with a waste bin when a bedroom was invaded The dance has been published in vious! Originally published in SWAGBAG, No.10.
’Wassail’, No. 7.
 l

9. HALSWAY WEEKEND 6. HALSWAY MANOR

Formation: Three couples longways Formation: Longways duple minor. 1st couple Improper.
Music: 32 bar gentle Jigs Music: ‘Halsway Manor’ © Alan Corkett.
A1 1st and 2nd couples balance right and left once. 1st couple cast to
centre, 2nd couple move up. 1st and 2nd couples do-si-do.

A2 1st couple lead through 3rd couple, cast up to centre, lead through
2nd couple and cast down to centre.

Bl lst man right hand star with 3rd couple WHILE 1st lady right hand
star with 2nd couple. 1st couple change for left hand stars (1st lady
with 3rd couple, 1st man with 2nd couple).

B2 1st couple (in centre) and 3rd couple balance right and left. 3rd
couple cast up to centre, 1st couple move down. lst and 3rd cou-
ples do-si-do.

Repeat twice more.

A1 Ladies turn by right hand. Partners turn by left hand.
© Ron Beeson A2 1st couple lead down between the 2nd couple and cast up to form
line of four, facing up. All up a double and back, (1st couple fal-
ling back into original places).

B1 Ladies step in and curtsey and join right hands Men step in, hon-
our and join right hands All star right.

B2 Ladies change places then men change places Circle four halfway,
1st couple cast and 2nd couple lead up.

The dance was devised by Barbara Staggles (nee Wood) in May l968, ) Copy-
When Bideford Club held their first weekend at Halsway Manor in 1976, Ron
right in the dance but not the tune, has been assigned to the Halsway Manor So-
Beeson devised this dance to mark the occasion.
ciety.
 7. HALSWAY RAG 8. HALSWAY SICILIAN
Formation: Circle, men on inside, facing partner. Formation: Sicilian circle (couple facing couple).
Music: ‘Stone’s Rag’ (Anon. Arr. Jim Coleman) Music: 32 bar Jigs (e.g. ‘As Luck Will Have It’ P. Shuldham-Shaw)
or other rag tune such as ’The Entertainer’, and schottisches and hornpipes, though it
then loses some of its lazy, relaxed character.

Al 1-4 All lead partner towards opposite couple and fall back.

5-8 All circle half way, and cross right shoulder with opposite, (finish
facing new couple).

A2 1-4 All lead partner towards new opposite couple and fall back.
5-8 All circle half way, and cross right shoulder with opposite to finish
facing original couple.
Bars B1 1-4 Do-si-do with original opposite
1-2 Both hands to partner, grapevine: step to man’s left (lady’s right); step to
left, step right behind left, step to left, bring feet together, keeping weight 5-8 Do-si-do with partners
on left foot. All set (men R and L, ladies L and R), B2 1-4 Half poussette with partner (men push) to change places with
3-4 As bars 1-2 but in opposite direction. original opposite couple.
5-6 2 chassé steps to man’s left, then 2 chassé steps to the right.
5-8 All swing partners
7-8 Clap own hands, right to partner’s right, together, left to partner’s left,
behind, together, then both to partner. © Pat Shaw.
9-10 Pushing away from partner, all fall back (3 steps and a hop) and forward
(3 steps and a hop). The dance by Patrick Shuldham-Shaw is included on the L.P. “The Next Dance
11-12 Fall back from partner, then forward diagonally left to meet new partner Is ...” by the Kenton Ramblers (PE 205, issued in 1980) who play two tunes
(3 steps and a hop twice). ’As Luck Will Have It’ and ’Clevedon Sicilian’ or ’Doreen’s Delight’. The two
13-14 With new partner, 2 chassé steps to man’s left, then 2 chassé steps to tunes were composed by Pat in honour of Dr. L. C. Luckwill and Doreen Greg-
right. ory on the occasion of the 21st Birthday Party of the Clevedon Club. Dr, Luck-
15-16 Dance round with new partner. will, a holder of the Society’s Gold Badge was a former Chairman of the N.E.
© Madeleine Hollis
C. and a founder member of Halsway Manor Society: Doreen Gregory was a
Devised by Madeleine Hollis in 1982 when the musicians at a weekend with Jim Cole-
man were learning ”Stone’s Rag”. For the Saturday evening Jim asked for a slow Vice- President of the Somerset District, of which she was also Secretary for
’ragtimey’ dance to go with the tune. many years.