Sunday May 5th
The Richmond on Swale Morris Men are holding their annual Day of Dance with guest sides from across the region, so expect morris sides popping up all over the place! Plus loads more dancing of many different kinds (and music of course). Exact schedule will be available nearer the time, but here’s the general plan for the Sunday of MayFest…
Sunday May 5th is the MayFest Dancing Day
Locals - don’t forget that DL9, DL10 and DL11 residents get free admission to Richmond Castle all weekend - just bring proof of address.
At the Castle
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🎶 Music and 🕺 Dance.
Visits from the Morris Dancers through the day with a finale featuring everyone around 4pm. Plus medieval music from Trouvere and songs from the Jolly Wassailers!
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Market & Fair
All the fun of the fair on the Castle green, with craft stalls, traditional games, circus activities, market stalls, and food and drink from Granny’s Kitchen and the MayFest Tavern.
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Living History
Step back to medieval times in Richmond’s own medieval castle with Durham-based living history group Dawn of Chivalry. Generously sponsored by Yorkshire Country Holidays.
Around Town
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In and Around the Market Place
Dancing from the many Morris sides through the day in Trinity Square, Finkle Street and Friary Gardens, plus music from the Ran Tanners - generously sponsored by McLuckie Projects.
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Town Hall
Dance displays from The Charlotte Jacqueline School of Dance and the Rhythm & Shoes Dance Academy, plus Scottish dancing, clog dancing and not forgetting the MayFest Mini Folk Fest (Part Two) - generously sponsored by Dale2Swale Glamping. Free!
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Workshops
Dance workshops in the afternoon at the Catholic Church Hall. To include north-eastern Clog dancing and Italian tarantella! Wow!
Free (donations always welcome).
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Sessions and Crafts
Session in The Bishop Blaize from 3pm - don’t miss the Sea Shanties!
Plus more wonderful arty fun at Richmondshire Museum - make something to wear in the MayFest Parade on Monday! Free for locals (DL9, DL10, DL11)
North Riding Sinfonia ‘74 - Fifty Years On…
The majority of the musicians of the North Riding Sinfonia ‘74 went to schools across the North Riding in the 1960’s and 70’s. Some of the musicians are younger from schools in North Yorkshire and they are supplemented by local musicians.
In 1974 the North Riding Schools Orchestra members went on a musical tour to Germany.
Now 50 years later, they have returned to North Yorkshire to hold a reunion.
Members have travelled from across the UK and as far away as Jersey to reunite, make music and share memories.
The Orchestra will be rehearsing at Richmond School over the weekend and will be holding an informal concert at 4pm on Sunday 5th May in the school hall to showcase their talents and their music.
This full symphony orchestra of over 50 musicians will be playing some stunning music and you are invited to attend their concert free of charge (donations will be welcomed at the end).
Please come along and support the Orchestra!
Ceilidh
This year’s MayFest Ceilidh is with the No Lazy Dancing Dance Band, and it’s going to be a real Yorkshire treat.
The No Lazy Dancing Dance Band was formed after meeting the melodeon player and historian, Bob Ellis at a Dales dance in Kettlewell, Wharfedale. Bob had spent nearly a decade researching musicians, callers, tunes, and dances throughout the Yorkshire Dales. From this research he published a book “There Was None of this Lazy Dancing!” as well as establishing an archive at the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes. His vision was to revive the traditions of music and dance in the Dales which faded away in 50’s and 60’s.
Our band was formed to participate in this project.
Our repertoire consists of tunes from Bob’s book and from other manuscript sources from Yorkshire and the North including those of Joshua Jackson, Laurence Ledley, John Clare and William Calvert. Choice of tunes are usually made in collaboration with our main caller, Pete Coe, who has been actively interpreting and reviving Dales dances from Bob’s book. The band’s musicians are Tom Richardson on guitar; Alan Nutall on Anglo concertina; Georgina Lawes on flute; Mark Wallace on fiddle.
The MayFest Ceilidh takes place in the Town Hall and starts at 7pm on Sunday 5th May. There’ll be a cash bar. Tickets go on sale in February and cost:
Full £10 / Local residents (DL9, DL10, DL11) £5, accompanied under 18s free.
