Trying to keep the sword dancing tradition alive

The Loftus longsword team performed in prestigious venues like the Albert Hall

A museum is trying to revive an old folk dancing tradition involving dancers clashing swords together and weaving them into shapes.

The Land of Iron in Skinningrove, East Cleveland, runs exhibitions and workshops on longsword dancing with a particular focus on the local Loftus team.

It consists of six to eight dancers who, holding the swords and moving in time, interlock them into a star.

Learning manager Grace Redpath, who is also a member of Leven Sword team based in Great Ayton, said the custom had "not been fossilised, it still exists, there's still sides that dance".

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The museum was given wooden swords by the English Folk Dance and Song Society so it could provide workshops to teach children and help preserve the tradition.

The society's dance development manager, Jen Cox, said: "We were delighted to support this important and valuable work by giving the museum three sets of longswords for use in practical workshops.

"We've enjoyed seeing them used to good effect."

Grace Redpath both takes part in sword dancing and encourages the next generation

Miss Redpath said sword dancing did not have the "recognition it deserves".

"We need to do something to engage with this history," she said.

"It's not dead."

A longsword team has historically performed in Loftus village but the dance became more popular after a revival in the 1950s.

"The origins of where sword dancing came from are still unknown but the Loftus longsword team were rock stars in the field," Miss Redpath said.

They danced at the Royal Albert Hall on several occasions from the 1960s onwards, which John Hill, one of the original members, said was an experience he would "never forget".

"It was one hell of an experience for us lads that had never been anywhere at all," he said.

John Hill is one of the original members of the Loftus longsword team

The team was invited to perform at the Royal Albert Hall after winning the Eisteddfod, the Welsh festival that includes competitions in various arts, including dance.

"We went to all sorts of places like Darlington, Stockton, Dijon in France, The Royal Albert Hall," Mr Hill said.

"We were the Rolls Royce of the sword dancing - they used to call us that.

"Luckily - touch wood - we never put a foot wrong."