Dancing master (perhaps part-time) in Edenhall, near Penrith, England. Born c. 1860. Died c 1948.
Discovered by Clara Boyle who was the English Folk Dance Society (now the EFDSS) teacher for the Lake District Branch and the Cumberland Branch before WW2 who had learned from him a number of social dances. He lived in Langwathby all his life and from at least 1910-1915 ran dancing classes every Saturday night throughout the winter in the Assembly Rooms. There was a children’s class from about 7.00 to 8.30 pm, followed by a dance for adults. Not believed to have taught elsewhere. Not a step dancer.
The following formed part of his repertoire
Barn Dance
Circassian Circle
Eight Reel
Four Reel
Haste to the Wedding
Heel and Toe Polka
Highland Fling
Lancers
Long Eight
Polka
Quadrilles
Schottische
Spanish Waltz
Speed the Plough (As God Speed the Plough)
Square Eight
Veleta
Waltz
Clara Boyle was available to provide a skeleton notation for Circassian Circle.
Information derived from and interview by Tom Flett with Clara Boyle on 3 January 1960 (interviewed with Lucy Short) and with Mr & Mrs Fisher on 8/1/1960 and with Mrs Birbeck on 2 June 1960.