Low Row

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This dance was composed whilst I was on holiday in the village of Low Row in Swaledale, North Yorkshire. The dance is designed to be danced by six rather than the normal eight person set. It is performed regularly by Sergeant Musgraves Dance. I also taught this dance to The Bunnies From Hell and we did dance it out a few times, but Bunnies are really a Cotswold side, and not everyone was really bothered about doing it.

The dance was intended to be danced to the Playford tune, The Black Nag. Musgraves use a modified version of the tune, which is a little easier for the melodeon players and fits the dance very nicely. There is also a modified version of this dance for four dancers, which Musgraves sometimes dance to another Playford tune, Hunt The Squirrel. I also used a Playford tune (Gathering Peascods) for the first Northwest style dance I wrote, High Sharpley.

The dance 'Low Row' performed by Sergeant Musgraves Dance. This was at the last spot of the Tram Ale after visiting a number of pubs and the performance here is not exactly perfect.

Click here to download the dance notes [pdf]

If you would like me to come and teach the dance please get in touch.

Sergeant Musgraves Dance

Sergeant Musgraves Dance are a mixed Northwest Morris side based in Nottingham and Derby. We meet to practice at the scout hut on Hanley avenue in Bramcote. I was foreman (dance teacher and choreographer) for many years until recently moving away from the area. I hope to still be able to join the side to dance occasionally.

The Bunnies From Hell

The Bunnies From Hell are easily recognisable from the attire of the dancers which is basically whatever each individual dancer chooses, but is limited in colour to black, grey, and of course, pink.

The dance, High Sharpley was written around about the turn of the Century (in either 1999 or 2000) and at the time I was dancing with Anstey Royale Chalfont. They are a womens side, but I learned their dances so that I could help them out if they were ever short of a dancer. I was inspired to write a dance with lots of polka steps after seeing various mens Northwest sides dancing at Saddleworth at the Rushcart weekend. I had also been practicing some Playford tunes to play with The Bang On The Wall Band and it suddenly occurred to me on the way home from Saddleworth that you could do a polka step to the tune, Gathering Peascods that I happened to be playing a lot at the time. I also liked the idea of making different shapes with the set, and this idea probably came from seeing Sergeant Musgraves Dance, in particular the diamond figure I had seen in one of their dances (most likely Portland Hill). Anstey Royale Chalfont danced High Sharpley out in 2001. When I joined Sergeant Musgrave Dance, it was suggested that I teach them the dance, and it is now a firm fixture in the repertoire.

Phil Preen Contact Details

Click to send Phil a message

Since becoming involved in morris dancing I have put together a number of new and 'rediscovered' morris dances.

Sergeant Musgraves Dance

Sergeant Musgraves Dance are a mixed Northwest Morris side based in Nottingham and Derby. We meet to practice at the scout hut on Hanley avenue in Bramcote. I was foreman (dance teacher and choreographer) for many years until recently moving away from the area. I hope to still be able to join the side to dance occasionally.

The Bunnies From Hell

The Bunnies From Hell are easily recognisable from the attire of the dancers which is basically whatever each individual dancer chooses, but is limited in colour to black, grey, and of course, pink.

The dance, High Sharpley was written around about the turn of the Century (in either 1999 or 2000) and at the time I was dancing with Anstey Royale Chalfont. They are a womens side, but I learned their dances so that I could help them out if they were ever short of a dancer. I was inspired to write a dance with lots of polka steps after seeing various mens Northwest sides dancing at Saddleworth at the Rushcart weekend. I had also been practicing some Playford tunes to play with The Bang On The Wall Band and it suddenly occurred to me on the way home from Saddleworth that you could do a polka step to the tune, Gathering Peascods that I happened to be playing a lot at the time. I also liked the idea of making different shapes with the set, and this idea probably came from seeing Sergeant Musgraves Dance, in particular the diamond figure I had seen in one of their dances (most likely Portland Hill). Anstey Royale Chalfont danced High Sharpley out in 2001. When I joined Sergeant Musgrave Dance, it was suggested that I teach them the dance, and it is now a firm fixture in the repertoire.

Phil Preen Contact Details

Click to send Phil a message

This is a dance written in the style of a Northwest morris dance, but is simpler than most morris dances, as the intention was that it be used for audience participation. I was on holiday, staying in a cottage called Woodside in the village of Dale in Pembrokeshire when I put this dance together, hence the name.