Glossary

In the absence of traditional terms, those used are my own interpretation.

Dance Round

Hold broom in right hand and dance round, using the Cambridgeshire Polka step - 3 short steps and a hop or lift, raising the knee of the free leg in front and rattling broom head with music.

Legs Over Broom

The handle is passed to and fro under each leg in turn (under left first) while hopping on alternative feet, and rattling broom head.

Step Up Broom

With broom on floor start at handle facing head, move halfway up right side of handle and back, hopping on left foot and swinging right foot over to touch floor on left of handle and then on right - 2 bars up and 2 bars back - repeat on left side of handle with opposite feet but continue forward to broom head, turn, landing on left foot facing handle on left side of broom, then with right foot on nearest side of head lever the handle up, catching it with the right hand.

Hobby Horse

With broom on floor, start at handle facing head, dance 3 bars towards head on right side of handle in Bar 4 while still facing the same way, place left foot on nearest side of head to lever the handle up into the left hand, turn left to face handle and swing right leg over broom - Bar 5 - dance forward up handle to end, using broom has a Hobby Horse (Bars 6-8A and 1-6B) dismount by swinging left leg over handle, then rattle broom on last 2 bars.

Rattle Broom

The head is rattled from side to side in time with the music while the dancer keeps stepping from side to side.

C/P:Cambridgeshire Polka - three short steps and a lift, raising the knee of the free leg in front, the amount of knee raised depends on the vigour of the dance.
Lead Down:Men take their partners with right hand, lead down the middle. They turn inward and lead back with crossed hands to original place. On arrival all take hold of partners so that all couples are in line down the centre of the Set, whereupon there is a brief pause before the Polka Round and change. To make sure of this it was often the custom for the leading man to call "Set" at the end of the previous phase of music.
P/R:Polka Round - couples polka around one and a half times counter-clockwise with, traditionally, upper arm hold - or ballroom hold can be used.
W/S:Walking Step - this is used for the lead down and back.

All Longways Dances are described as "Hands 4 from the Top" ignoring the traditional way of top couples beginning.