Bosanquet, Rosalie E., In the Troublesome Times, Newcastle: Northumberland Press Ltd, (1929)
[p23]
The Sword Dancers.
According to Mrs. Keith, Guisers and Sword dancers are closely akin. "Almost the first thing I can remember was when we lived at Dovecot, and the Sword Dancers came at the New Year, in the dark, and danced the sword dance in the back yard by the light of lanterns, all dressed up, - there was old Betty and Nelson, and a doctor; and after they'd finished the dance one held up all the swords. They came from about Boghall2. Yes, miners and the lads about. They used to come from Blaydon3 too. They were given ginger wine, and cake."4
2. Three miles away.
3. Farther off.
4. As children we used to see the Sword Dancers at Christmas parties at Alnwick
castle and elsewhere. They came from Earsdon and other places, and their song is
given by John Stokoe. "Songs and Ballads of Northern England," p154.
Within the last few days we have seen the Winlaton Sword Dancers at Bellingham
Agricultural Show, eighteen miles away. They were the winning team out of eleven at the
Newcastle Musical Festival this year, 1922. Betty, five Sword dancers, an
introducer, and a pipe player formed the company of eight. - Miss J.D.Carr and Miss R.E.
Bosanquet.