The Peterchurch Figure Eight

Source: Dorothy Baxendale's Variation of the dance from "The Folk Lore of Herefordshire" by Ella Mary Leather, 1912; republished in English Dance & Song, Winter 1966, Volume XXVIII No. 5
Formation: Three Couples; Longways; Proper

A1	#1s Cross into Full Figure Eight on the Side (#1 Lady starts Left Shoulder with #3 Man, #1 Man starts Right Shoulder with #3 Lady)
A2	#1s Cross Back into Full Figure Eight on their own side
B1	#1s Take Right Hand in Right Hand: Lead Down, Turn Alone With Crossed Hands: Dance to the Top, Separate and Cast to the Bottom #2s & #3s Move Up with a Turn Single Up
B2	All: Partner Swing - Cross Hands Hold

Music:
The Ploughboy or any suitable 32 bar jigs or reels.

Notes:
See Loxley Figure Eight and More Figure Eights From Herefordshire for more Figure Eight dances (from which the Turn Single Up is taken).

Although the description says "cross hands hold" for the swing, I find it much more satifying to do a right forearm hold, with finger curled around your partner's elbow, and left hands joined underneath.

See the letter below for the real origin of this version of the dance. This dance was also published in "Everyday Dances" by Nibs Matthews.

Original page from English Dance & Song, Winter 1966

Original page from English Dance & Song, Spring 1967

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