Bodmin Heritage Day - The Children's Dance

We'd love you to join us on Bodmin Heritage Day with your children for The Children's Dance on the first Saturday in July.

THE DANCE

The Dance Instructions

Line up in a procession, two behind two, holding hands with your partner.

Step forward for 4 x one-two-three-hops.

Make a right hand star in your set of four, and turn round-and-round-and-round-and-round (2 x one-two-three-hops).

Make a left hand star in your set of four, and turn back-the-other-way (2 x one-two-three-hops).

Repeat until it's time to stop!

The Words

We're really hoping you and your school or group can find some positive and inspirational words to help with the dance.

The original (and most popular) words are . . .

One-two-three-hop, one-two-three-hop, one-two-three-hop, one-two-three-hop
Round-and-round-and-round-we-go, and-back-the-other-way

The Tune

Here's the tune played by Bodmin Town Band, with a few clips from 2016.  It lasts 2'42, perfect for a "wake up, shake up', and to encourage your children to concentrate, count and represent your school or club:


REHEARSALS

We look forward to seeing you and your child / children for pop-up rehearsals, usually from April onwards - watch the Bodmin Heritage Day - The Children's Dance page or google diary below for dates and locations.

No special costumes or shoes required, just the children.

We will provide LIVE music for each pop-up rehearsal.

Tea and coffee are usually available while the children rehearse.

We recommend your child finds a partner they are happy to dance with, and another couple of children to make up a set of four.

ON THE DAY!

Banners

We would love each school and/or group to carry a banner for the procession, so we know which school or group is which, and can award prizes for the best banners!

If you would like help to make a special banner for your school or group, drop a message on the Bodmin Heritage Day - The Children's Dance page, and we'll help connect you with an artist.

What to wear?

Each child should wear a white top, or school/group top and black skirt or trousers, with shoes or plimsolls.  Spare Heritage Day tops may be available on the day, or at the final rehearsal.

We will provide Bodmin Heritage Day - The Children's Dance sashes for each child.

Where to meet?

Register your school or group with our nominated registrar outside The Old Library at the top of Fore Street with the total number of children in your school or group by 12:45pm on the 1st Saturday in July.  We step out at 1:00pm sharp with the musicians.

We will arrange the schools and groups, with any banner carriers at the front of each group.  

If your child / children are not currently part of a participating school or group, don't worry, we'll find a place for them to join in.

What if it rains?

We know, it's July . . . there's a chance it might rain.

Please be prepared to allow your child to dance in their raincoat if it's raining.

If it's absolutely pouring down relentlessly, we will decide collectively with the school/group leaders whether to delay the start, postpone, or move to a warm, dry, wet weather space for tea and cake!

It will be really helpful for us if you can all sing the Bodmin Sunshine Song on the day :)

What if it's sunny?

Hurrah! Sunscreen all round, hats optional.

Who plays for the procession?

Traditionally it's the National Brass Band Champions of Great Britain 2017, Bodmin Town Band.

In 2017 we were delighted to be joined by Bodmin Training Band on their maiden outing, with the very lovely Bagas Crowd bringing up the rear.

In 2019, Bagas Crowd will lead the procession.

How long will the procession last?

As long as it takes to dance from the top of Fore Street, all the way down to Narissa Lawn - about 15-20 minutes.

Where will we finish?

The procession will finish at Narissa Lawn, and we warmly invite all the children to join us for refreshments and to collect their "thank you" gifts.

Tea and cakes may be available for parents, guardians, school and group leaders if you've been very good, and we've pulled the cakey tea fairies out of the Magic Hat!

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY!

You can add these to your own calendar if you like :)