Bledington Tradition

A hanky dance "jig" that works for approximately any number of dancers. As a show dance, typically danced with 4, 5, or 6. Dancers enter one at a time - so for mass dances, pick dancers with plenty of stamina to go in early.

Dance Notes

Once to yourself: The dance begins with a single dancer, facing up, who dances two snap capers as a "pick up".

Dance in place: 2 double steps, 2 snap capers, 2 double steps, 2 snap capers. Sidesteps (windmill hankies) left, then right (back to your place). Slow capers in place.

Dance 2 snap capers, as follows:

• If facing down: Take 2 snap capers forwards, passing right shoulders with your partner, if any. If there is no more room below the set due to this being a mass dance, improvise (perhaps snake around).
• If facing up: Take 2 snap capers in place.
• If entering the set: Take 2 snap capers forwards, entering from off the top-right of the set to become the new top of the set, facing down the set.

Once all dancers have entered, at the point where another dance would enter, the caller calls "to your left" and the snap capers are used to circle out of the set to the left, and turn around facing the center. If 4 or 6 dancers, this will form a traditional set. If an odd number of dancers, the dancer at the bottom of the set capers in place.

Now go through the music one more time, as follows:

• If a show dance for 6: Dance a Bledington hey, ending on down-up capers instead of the last 2 snap capers.
• If any other situation: Dance the jig again from your new position, ending on down-up capers while turning in place to face up (or in - whatever the caller decides!)

Sheet Music

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