Appalachian clogging

We were in Poole today, visiting Donna's Mum and Dad, after a light lunch we all headed down to the quayside where there was some folk dancing going on.

Appalachian clog dancing in Poole

On a previous visit a few years ago, Donna had been impressed by a local group of Appalachian clog dancers. They were performing in Wimborne last time, and we were delighted to see them again in Poole.

There were only a few groups active at a time along the quay so we had no reason to expect to see the clogging, we didn't even know the group would be there.

However, they were, and we enjoyed watching them.

The cloggers were wearing a kind of tap shoe, presumably the dance style originated with wooden clogs that were the standard farming footwear in many parts of Europe in mediaeval times. No doubt leather shoes with steel taps are much more comfortable and controllable.

Donna is interested enough to wonder if there is a clog dance group anywhere near St Neots. I'm not sure she'd actually find the time to learn these dances, but it would certainly be fun to go and watch now and again.

(If you liked this you might also like Journeys of heart and mind and Quote me on this.)