Newbury Five Step

Source: John Offord; published in English Dance & Song, Spring 1986 Volume 48 Number 1
Formation: Longways; Proper with Five-Steps throughout

A	First Corners Right Elbow Turn x2 Second Corners Right Elbow Turn x2
B	#1s Chassée Up, Down, Up; #1s Cast Down One Place - #2s Move Up Partner Swing

Music:
16 bar 3/2 Hornpipe - tune below.

Notes:
"Three-Steps" are very common; they are also known as Polka Steps or Double Steps. "Seven-Steps" are very common in some styles such as Morris Dancing and Irish Dancing: you do seven steps on alternating feet then hop to change feet. John has used a "Five-Step" to fit the challenges of a 3/2 Hornpipe.

The dance is based on Nottingham Swing, but to handle the extra steps John has changed the first part of the B to Up, Down, Up instead of Nottingham Swing's Down, Up.

For the hold for the turns in Nottingham Swing you hook your hand just above the other person's elbow; for the Swing you join left hands underneath as well.

John says, "I have since made up another dance with different stepping which I think is much better than the Newbury five Step, but also based on figures in the Nottingham swing, I call it Black Mary’s Hornpipe." For this dance the stepping, as shown with the music, is "Left-Hop, Right-Hop, Left, Right" for each bar. The dance is slightly modified to:

	Black Mary’s Hornpipe
A	First Corners Right Elbow Turn x2 Second Corners Right Elbow Turn x2
B	#1s Promenade Down, Turn Alone (2 bars); Promenade Up and Cast down One Place - #2s Move Up (2 bars) Partner Swing

Original page from English Dance & Song, September 1959

Back to Dance Index

I'd love to hear from you if you know anything more about this dance, its composer, its style, or its history.

Feedback is very welcome on any aspect of these dances or Web pages.

Please contact John Sweeney with your comments.