Hartlepool Christmas tradition moves online for first time in over 50 years due to Covid

Greatham Sword Dance has been a favourite fixture of Christmas being performed in the village on Boxing Day for the last 53 years.

But this December 26 the Redcar Sword Dancers will recreate the dance online.

The restrictions on household mixing and social distancing mean it is impossible to be held in the usual way outside the gates of the Hospital of God at midday in front of dozens of people.

Brian Pearce, of Redcar Sword Dancers, said: “This year would have been the 54th year since the tradition’s revival in 1967, but the Covid restrictions make it impossible for us to appear in person this year.

“So, for those still wanting to experience the Greatham tradition we have put together a virtual performance which will be available for public viewing on YouTube from noon on Boxing Day, Saturday 26th December.”

All the sword dancers involved recorded their parts at home and have been edited together by a member of the team.

Brian added: “We hope that you will enjoy the result and we look forward to being able to perform again in 2021.”

Greatham Sword Dance is a play and dance with folk songs unique to Greatham and is believed to date back to the first quarter of the 19th Century.

The Redcar Sword Dancers, who perform it in red jackets decorated with ribbons, revived it in the late 1960s.

Chairman of Greatham Parish Council, Brian Walker, said the traditional telling of it in the village will be missed this year but encouraged people to log onto the internet to watch it.

He said: “It’s sad but with the Covid situation it is understandable. It will be missed, especially by the pubs if they could have opened as the dance brings a lot of people in.

"I’m sure they will be back next year.”

Mr Walker said the sword dance follows other village events and activities that have moved online this year because of Covid including Greatham Feast and meetings of the parish council.

Search for Redcar Sword Dancers on YouTube on Boxing Day to watch the performance.

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