Sarah O'Neill's Ilmington Notes
These notes record the way I teach this tradition. They are my interpretation of the 'Black Book' and how I was in turn taught them. I do not claim that this is the way the tradition was, is or should be danced only that this is the way I choose to dance it.
© 1996, Copyright by Sarah O'Neill, Chartridge, England. Permission is hereby granted to copy this work or to incorporate it in another work provided that it is not changed, no charge other than for the cost of reproduction is made for the copy or combined work and this copyright notice is included on the copy or in the combined work.
Top
Squire Bag
side side
1 2 (Tops)
3 4 (Middles)
5 6 (Bottoms)
Bottom
Ilmington is an outside foot tradition, meaning you start each figure on your outside foot. Ilmington dances generally follow a sequence of a jump to start, feint step, 2 double steps, 2 single steps and a feet together jump.
First half: Everyone start on down foot.
| Tops (1 & 2) | Middles (3 & 4) | Bottoms (5 & 6) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Double Step | Move towards each other and staying close together go down the set, once past middle position start to move out | On the first step move backwards and face towards top position, on the next 2 steps and hop move forwards to end up in top position facing up (shoulder to shoulder with partner) | On the first step move towards partner, turn down and out, on the spot, to end up facing up the set (shoulder to shoulder with partner) |
| Second Double Step | Continue moving out (to let bottoms through) and in to face each other in bottom position (you should be quite close) | Turn outwards, on the spot, to end up facing down the set on the hop (still shoulder to shoulder) | Staying close together, come up the middle of the set, when just past the middle position start to move out |
| Two Single Steps | Turn down and out, on the spot, but also move slightly backwards into bottom position | Keeping together go down the set and back to middle position | Continue moving out (to let middles through) and into top position |
| Feet Together Jump | Feet Together Jump in place | Feet Together Jump in place | Feet Together Jump in place |
Second half: Everyone start on up foot and repeat sequence, with:
On the jump at the start of the dance bring arms up (elbows slightly bent), with hands at waist level, but wide of the body.
Arms come down by your side on the 1st and 2nd steps of the double step and come up, with hands at waist level and wide of the body, on the 3rd step and hop of the double step. It is a relaxed even movement. On the 1st single step and hop the arms come down, out and up, describing a small semi-circle. On the 2nd single step the arms come in (at waist level) in front of the body, on the step and out on the hop. They go down, out and up, describing a small semi-circle on the feet together and continue moving up on the jump to the start position.
At the end of the rounds, on the 3 capers, low twists with both arms (left anti- clockwise right clockwise) outward circles away from the body. When landing on both feet, after the final caper, bring both arms swiftly above head to end the dance.
On the jump at the start of the dance clash with partner. Bag side presents stick, squire side clashes.
Sticks are held in the right hand, generally in the middle, with both arms following all of the arm movements described above. In stick dances when there is a feet together jump it is normally accompanied by a clash.
Rounds: On the feet together jump of the preceding hey and when halfway round the set clash in the air not with partner. At the end of the rounds on the 1st caper bring stick down and keep it down for the next 2 capers. When landing on both feet, after the final caper, raise stick to clash with partner (across the set) to end the dance.
All Ilmington dances have common figures and arm movements as described above. The figures are as follows:
Start facing across the set, jump landing on both feet to face up the set.
Starting on outside foot, 2 double steps on the spot, turn out of the set on 2 single steps (describing a small circle) and feet together jump to face across the set. Starting on down foot, foot across 2 double steps, 2 single steps, feet together jump all on the spot.
Starting left foot, passing right shoulders, 1st double step to get across the set, slightly to the left of where your partner was standing, 2nd double step on the spot, 2 single steps to turn left back to place, feet together jump in place. Second half is the reverse of above, start right foot, pass left shoulders and turn right on the single steps.
Starting left foot, passing right shoulders, 1st double step to get across the set, slightly to the left of where your partner was standing, 2nd double step move to the right to pass back to back with partner, 2 single steps to turn left back to place, feet together jump in place. Second half is the reverse of above, start right foot, pass left shoulders and turn right on the single steps.
Starting left foot, passing right shoulders, 1st double step to get across the set, slightly to the left of where your partner was standing, on the hop of the 1st double step everyone turn right, (squire side down, bag side up), 2nd double step on the spot (facing up or down set). Then 2 single steps to turn out of the set, on the spot (everyone turns left) to end up facing across the set. Second half is the reverse of above, start right foot, pass left shoulders, turn left, (still squire side down, bag side up), single steps to turn out (everyone turns right).
On the feet together jump of the preceding hey everyone turns right to form a circle facing clockwise. Numbers 1,2,5 & 6 jump out on the spot, the middles 3 & 4 should jump further out to form the circle. Starting left foot use 2 double steps to travel halfway round set to opposite corner's position, 2 single steps to reform the set, feet together jump to turn right again and reform the circle still facing clockwise. Starting left foot again 2 double steps to travel back to home position, 3 capers to reform the set landing feet together (facing across the set) to end the dance.
Open side step left, right, half hey, open side step right, left, half hey.
Hand-clapping, half hey, hand-clapping, half hey.
Partners are linked by knotted hankies, held by inside hand when facing up the set, squire side right, bag side left. Hold hankies at head height, arm bent at elbow, upper arm forming a right angle. Keep hankies as taut as possible throughout the dance, moving arm across face when necessary.
Spin, half hey, spin, half hey.
Replaces the second half hey prior to the rounds. Remember the set will be inverted, 1 & 2 will be at the bottom, 5 & 6 will be at the top.
On the preceding feet together jump squire side face up with middle position facing down and bag side face down with middle position facing up. Alternatively, middles turn right everyone else turn left on the jump.
Everyone left foot start
| 1 & 6 | 3 & 4 | 5 & 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Double Step | 1 over 3 6 under 4 |
3 under 1 4 over 6 |
Turn out on the spot to end facing middle position |
| Second Double Step | 1 under 5 6 over 2 |
Turn out on the spot to end facing middle position | 2 under 6 5 over 1 |
| Two Single Steps | Turn out on the spot to end facing middle position | 3 over 5 4 under 2 |
2 over 4 5 under 3 |
Everyone feet together jump turning the easy way to form a circle facing clockwise.
Starting outside foot both times, 2 double steps, 2 single steps, on the feet together jump turn left to go anti-clockwise. 2 double steps and finish with 3 capers facing in, landing feet together and holding the knot high. To undo knot bag side let go.
Hankies held taut at all times, turning under arm in figures, free arm remains loosely by side throughout.
Sticking, half hey, sticking, half hey.
Feet- Starting with up foot 3 heel taps, change to down foot 3 heel taps, staying on down foot 4 single steps which leaves down foot in the air ready for the hey.
Sticking, half hey, sticking, half hey.
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Author & maintainer:
Sarah O'Neill.