BACKGROUND INFORMATION William Bottrel's Traditions and Hearthside stories of West Cornwall (Volume 1 page 26, 1870) recalls, "Joan was the best dancer.... made Tom join in the old Hand in Hand dance, which he shuffled through like an old bull." Jenefer Lowe of Ros Keltek met an lady whilst the group were demonstrating at a fair who recalled the Hand in Hand dance and gave sufficient information to reconstruct the dance as above. It fits well with Tom Bawcocks, a tune from West Penwith, noted by Robert Morton Nance to have been popular at Weddings as well as used by Mousehole for its Mid Winter Feast. DANCE NOTATIONS Formation
Dance For Couples in a line or large circle around the room. Step
'Skip' step. Hold
'Heva' dance hold. Bars 1 4
Four steps forward 5 8
Gentleman turns the Lady to face him and leads her back four steps. 9 16
Gentleman spins Lady under his arm without releasing hands
Lady spins man under her arm
Gentleman spins Lady
Lady spins Man 17 24
Swing Partners
Repeat dance as often as desired. TUNE/SONG The suggested tune for this dance is Tom Bawcocks, although any 24 bar reel would be suitable.
