Goathland Plough Stots 2012
The Goathland Plough Stots are a traditional longsword dance team with a history at least a couple of hundred years long; they have 6 dances each with its own tune and are accompanied by a fool and musicians. Expect to see them "lock" swords in the traditional way. They host their traditional Day of Dance in January starting with a parade from the Reading Room then performing throughout the day at locations around the village. The name "Plough Stots" is derived from the ancient practice of the dancers performing on Plough Monday (the Monday after 6th January, when work resumed after the Christmas season) -- now they perform on the Saturday following, which is around the middle of the month.
For more information on this - and other - British calendar customs, visit http://www.calendarcustoms.com/
