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We
are based near Maidstone in Kent and as might be expected of a well established
and experienced team draw our members from a wide area of Kent and beyond. Our
name comes from an ancient wooden bridge which used to cross the River Medway
between Barming and West Farleigh. By tradition, we dance in procession across
the river each May Day, to mark the start of the dancing season. The photograph
on the front of our programme, reproduced above, is of our May Day procession in
1996, before the Bridge was demolished and replaced with a steel girder eyesore.
Kettle
Bridge Clogs specialize in the Morris of the North West of England, where it was
customary for teams to dance in procession through the streets, wearing their
usual footwear, clogs. The dances the team perform are a mixture of
traditionally based dances, which take the names of the towns in Cheshire and
Lancashire where the dances originated, as well as dances created by the team in
the North West style.
Some
members are exponents of Appalachian clogging, a form of step dancing from the
USA, which has its origins in the north of England, but incorporates influences
from other cultures, including French, Irish, African and Native American.
The
Kettle Bridge band plays a combination of the instruments which traditionally
accompany North West Morris, including accordion, melodeon, fiddle and
concertina as well as percussion (to keep the dancers in step!). The tunes
played for the dance are a mixture of traditional English folk tunes, military
marches and more modern tunes from sources as diverse as Music Hall and the
world of pop. See how many you can recognize!
The
team performs all over Kent at local events and venues, but also travels further
afield. Over the last 11 years, we have danced at festivals all over England and
abroad in Canada, France, Holland, Hong Kong, Scotland, Turkey and the United
States.
We
are always pleased to welcome new members, either dancers or musicians. If you
are interested in joining us, or if you want to find out more about part of
England’s cultural heritage or to book us for your event, please contact our
secretary, Ian Sharp on 01622-721778.
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