Johnston, Mrs A

Clog dancer originally from Blackburn, later living in Hawkshead. Born about 1905 as A. Eckersley. She had previously been interviewed by collector Dan Howison.

In about 1912-1915 she had lessons at a dancing academy in Preston New Road, Blackburn, Lancashire, run by two spinsters by the name of Hindley.  They taught Scottish and Irish dancing but also a certain amount of clog dancing.  Mrs Johnston had also learned some “stage steps” from other sources and could not be sure which steps came from which source.

She was able to provide a notation for a single step in hornpipe rhythm.

Information derived from an interview by Tom Flett with Mrs. A. Johnston on England, 7/1/1960

Harry Aspden