The ‘Romantic idea of Merrie England’ complete with maypoles and Morris dances encouraged many Cumbrian towns and villages to develop their own May Day celebrations and carnivals.
Sue’s illustrated talk reveals the sources and styles of the dances performed at villages across Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness with tantalising glimpses of the folk customs dating back over 100 years sourced from press reports, memoirs and even a novel!
The dances incorporate borrowings from Lancashire processional Morris and Cotswold Morris dances enthusiastically promoted by local worthies such as Canon Rawnsley of Keswick and John Ruskin of Coniston. Following on from the talk, Sue will lead a Morris dance workshop teaching the dance which has been performed annually in Wigton since 1911.
Sue is a cultural historian writer and folklorist who researches and publishes on Cumbrian customs, traditions and dialect. She is a regular contributor to ‘Cumbria Life’.
For booking please email: kldcstalks@gmail.com or phone 07821088484.
We look forward to seeing you.
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About us
The society was established in 1972, following a successful campaign to stop the demolition of a large part of Queen's Square for development. Kirkby Lonsdale has an extremely distinguished architectural quality and practically the whole town centre is now a Conservation Area. The Society's remit covers Kirkby Lonsdale and its wider Rainbow parish, which includes Barbon, Casterton, Hutton Roof, Lupton, Mansergh and Middleton. |
Our aims
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Our aims include:
· promoting high standards of planning and architecture
· preserving and conserving and where possible developing those things which make the area special
· encouraging interest and pride in the area
· promoting high standards of planning and architecture
· preserving and conserving and where possible developing those things which make the area special
· encouraging interest and pride in the area
The website of Kirkby Lonsdale and District Civic Society
Registered Charity Number 502315