ALAN
'WITH HIS SQUEEZEBOX'
I chose this name just to get to the head of this list. NOT. I started
trying to play the melodeon to avoid being the lackey who
carried the equipment for our local Morris team (Fylde
Coast Cloggers)
which my wife, Anne,
had joined as a dancer. My musical ability has improved a little over
time. I also took responsibility for the creation and maintenance of
their web-site. Since the Autumn of 2008,
I chauffeur the boss to Kendal and try to join in with the WSGD
musicians at Monday evening practices. I
can, now, even play some of their tunes. I soon got control of this
website (it's now me you can blame).
ANNE
'ONE OF
OUR MOST RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE SIDE'
Now Secretary. Awaiting more blurb.
ED 'WITH HIS LAGERPHONE'
I'm Pauline's partner, so that's how I got roped in to Cloggies.
I can manage to drum out a beat on the Lagerphone, but that's where my
musical ability ends. As far as my musical interest goes, I'm more into metal and rock than
folk, but I do have a soft spot for Fairport Convention.
I look forward to the day the Cloggies dance to a Pogues tune. (Well, it is
folk!).
Now I have been promoted to the side's treasurer.
GED
'ON THE FIDDLE'
I had played folk music of many kinds since I was a teenager. I was a
musician for Furness Morris Men for ten years or so before joining the
ladies' side. Over the eight or so years I have been with them, the
band has got larger and the music has steadily changed, and to my mind
improved; we have broad tastes in music and specialize in finding
different tunes which we like playing and which suit the dances.
GILLIAN
HAS 'DONE IT ALL'
Its almost 25 years since I was dragged to a cloggy open night. I have
been Secretary, Squire, costumes keeper and even danced a bit. I'm
still learning. I've danced in France, Germany and Russia and have many
unrepeatable memories. Am I a saddo? Possibly, but I've enjoyed every
minute of it, oh, except for the time it poured with rain, the bus
broke down, the canal boat was late, we stood in the cold, my apron
caught fire, I lost my purse, and my cardigan........
HELEN
WHO WAS HERE AT THE BEGINNING
I am an old hand, or should I say old foot at this game, being one of
the founder members of the team. Over the years I have held every
position - official that is - in the team. I would describe myself as
an improver rather than en expert, despite the years of practice. Being
part of the team has been an abiding interest over the years and
continues to bring me great pleasure.
JOHN
THE DRUMMER BOY
I have been associated with the team for about 20 years. My role is,
whilst standing, to make a significant contribution to the music using
only a snare drum, bass drum and triangle. This is quite a challenge
when you are used to having more bits and bobs to hit and a stool to
sit on. The challenge is worthwhile and I enjoy making my little
contribution.
KATHY
WHO STANDS AT THE BACK (EVEN THOUGH SHE'S SQUIRE)
Want to know how two lines of casual conversation can turn a really bad
skier into an equally bad Clog Dancer? Well ..... no I won't bore you
but I can tell you something else I'm really bad at and that is
drinking pints of good, hand pulled beer. However, in the full
knowledge that practice make perfect, I work really hard at it at every
available opportunity. Shame about the Clog Dancing.
KEN WHO DID PLAY THE LAGERPHONE
As you can see, this has now passed to Ed, and my wife Kathy has moved
to higher things.
I still play the odd tune on the whistle, (very odd so
some people
say). It may or may not be the required music for the dance but it
sounds all right at the time – well at least it does to me.
Hiding in the band keeps me away from dancing with hoops. Give me
Rapper Sword any time. I know what to do with that.
MARJORIE
- THE GRANNY OF THE GROUP
I first met up with this lot in '83 and was shocked to discover, after
I had been dancing with them for about 5 years, that they were about
the same age as my daughter! Fell walking keeps me fit and my other
demanding hobby is Youth Hostelling. I've even persuaded the dancers to
use hostels instead of camping. Have just been elected to a
subcommittee to organize Team Trips Abroad.
MARK
- FAMILY PLANNING OFFICER'S BIGGEST FAILURE
Mark is a father of five, but his biggest claim to fame is, that at 46
he is the second youngest member of the WSGD Boy Band. Mark reckons
that the only reason he learned to play the Mandolin was because he
found one in a friend's garage. He now wants to know if this could be
the source of Garage Music.
PAULINE
QUENCHING HER THIRST
When I moved to Kendal a friend asked me to try Morris Dancing with
her. The only Morris Dancing I'd seen involved old men shaking hankies,
but she then mentioned Clog Dancing so I thought I'd have a go. She
left shortly afterwards but, 22 years later, I'm still here. I've
learned to Clog Dance and play the melodeon and I even shake hankies.
Not all at the same time though, but I am working on it.
WOODIE
- FAMILY PLANNING OFFICER
I have been given this title because my instrument is covered by a
tight skin - THE BANJO - the missing link between music and noise. I
have been trying to play the banjo for many year, took me six weeks to
learn my first dance tune, then the group stopped using it so haven't
learned anything since. I am sure the band only allow me to play
because I make all the others sound good.