These are the Brotton Sword Dancers; the Archive hopes someone will be able to name them? We’ve lightened the image to try and show the ”uniform” better and particularly love the double watch chain of the melodeon player!
Back row (L to R): ??, George William Riddiough, ??, ??.
Front row (L to R): ??, ??, ??.
Eric Johnson has advised: “Back row (first right) is Dick Hogarth (landlord of the Ship Inn, Brotton), who also played for the Lingdale Primrose team. There may have been interaction of dancers between the Brotton, Lingdale and North Skelton teams. At the Newcastle Song and Dance Festival, 14th May 1928; results for the Cecil Sharp Long Sword Trophy were: North Skelton White Rose 96 points, Brotton Black and Amber 94 points. The Handworth team scratched (withdrew) and two other teams also competed for the Trophy. George Riddiough accompanied the North Skelton Team to Harrogate in 1924, with R. Wallis playing the “Toms – Comic and Betty”.
Image and name courtesy of Julie Riddiough; thanks also to Eric Johnson for the update with information courtesy of “Rattle Up, My Boy – a quarterly publication for those with an interest in sword dancing”.
An update regarding this image and details: “squeeze box player” should read melodeon, the correct name! Back row (first right) is Dick Hogarth (landlord of the Ship Inn, Brotton), who also played for the Lingdale Primrose team. There may have been interaction of dancers between the Brotton, Lingdale and North Skelton teams. At the Newcastle Song and Dance Festival, 14th May 1928; results for the Cecil Sharp Long Sword Trophy were: North Skelton White Rose 96 points, Brotton Black and Amber 94 points. The Handworth team scratched (withdrew) and two other teams also competed for the Trophy. George Riddiough accompanied the North Skelton Team to Harrogate in 1924.
Information from the Rattle Up, My boys magazine.