Nixon, Florence

Clog and step dancer from Dore.  Born Florence Simpson, 1913.

Pupil of Tommy Cannon whose classes she attended in Underbarrow both at the Punch Bowl Inn and the old granary.  She had been the “Queen” at one of his finishing balls.

She was able to describe the costumes they wore for performances in some detail.

He taught her the following:

Foxtrot
Garland Dance
Hoop Dance
Lancers
Military Two Step
Quickstep
Sailors’ Hornpipe
Sword Dance
Three Hand Reel
Valeta

She also remembered learning single and double shuffles in clogs and the shuffle-off.

Mrs Nixon had also attended hunt balls where some of the above dances were done.

Information derived from an interview with Florence Nixon, 2/12/1977, by J.F. Flett.