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| The Hockham Clodhoppers | The Hockham Clodhoppers were born out of an idea from a Vicarage Road (Hockham) social gathering, involving a bottle of pear schnapps and some very creative thinking, with a view to have something different at the Hockham Horn Fair. The name Clodhoppers came from a Village football team from the early 1900's and seemed very appropriate
Under the instruction of our local dance mistress, affectionately known as Mrs Thompson, the Hockham Horn Dance and Stick Dance were rehearsed till the day of the 2006 Horn Fair. Following the success of the day and the resurrection of 'Doshing' using the Hockham Horns, the Clodhoppers decided to keep to the tradition that the Hockham Horn Dance will only be danced at the Horn Fair (typically mid/late May) and that the original Hockham Horns will always appear along with the Horn Dance. It was also decided that the Clodhoppers would never charge a fee for any appearance they might make but would have a voluntary contributions bucket collection for a designated charity, so far they have raised funds for Quiddenham Children’s Hospice and the Neuroblastoma Society to name just two.
Since then new dances have been added (Fuel & Furze, Dizzy Doris, Hockham Plough Boys, Hills & Holes, Crab and Winkle & The Quarry Dance to name just a few! Also, the number of dancers has increased from the original “Hockham 8” to 16, which makes practise sessions even more fun
The Clodhoppers now also perform at Hockham's Plough Monday celebrations in January (traditionally the 1st Monday evening after 12th Night). The evening starts with the dressed plough being “blessed” on the village green, at which point the Clodhoppers perform “Hockham Ploughboys” (they even get it right sometimes) after which everybody parades or processes around the village by torchlight stopping off at various places to perform more dances. The last venue is the village hall where refreshments are provided for all who have taken part, either dancing or watching and then everybody joins in the dancing (no stick dances though).
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The Clodhoppers at the Horn Fair 
Dancing on Plough Monday outside The Eagle To learn more about the history of Plough Monday visit http://www.ploughmonday.co.uk/ | All of the dances are original to Great Hockham Clodhoppers and reflect various places or events within the village and surrounding area. It is hoped that during the coming months a manual will be put together to record the dance moves and give an insight into the names and symbolism of the dances (yes Clodhoppers you are symbolic!), and although, strictly speaking, Molly dancing doesn’t usually involve a lot of stick work the Clodhoppers do enjoy a dance with a good amount of whacking in it;( we do have a Health & Safety member of the group and as long as he doesn’t get whacked it’s o.k.). The Clodhoppers hope that all who watch them “perform” will have fun, which is the whole idea, although they’d like to think they are carrying on, albeit in their own inimitable style, an old tradition of village dancing.
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A Plough Monday poem by Hazel Thompson November 2008 "Clodhoppers on Plough Monday"
In come the Clodhoppers 1-2-3
A he, and a she or a he-she-he
Feathers in their hats and faces black with dirt
A tap of a stick and the swirl of a skirt
A circle. A star. A step and a whack
Weave along the lines, cast out round and back All around the village we carry the flames
Doing our dances with the meaningful names
Hockham Plough Boys, Bambridge Lane and Holly Bush Mile
Crab & Winkle Line (that’s a name to make you smile)
Start at the Green then move on to Chestnut Square
Through Parliament Lane, a dark and narrow thoroughfare
Following the plough decked out in green and white
The burning torches lighting up the winter night
The noise of the crowd, the beat of the drum
Signals ahead “here we come, here we come”
Scotgate Close, more room, now here’s the chance
To do Hills and Holes or the good old Quarry Dance
Fuel and Furze, Dizzy Doris or Old School House Clock
Then back to the Eagle for the last but one stop
Old Coach Road and the Stick Dance we do
With all that frantic whacking, a bruised knuckle or two The village hall beckons with mulled wine and apple pie
Have you noticed, when you’re having fun, the time whizzes by?
Then it’s over to Jim, everybody’s on their feet
He plays his hurdy gurdy, while Jackie takes the lead
We follow her through arches, we twist and we turn
We circle and we spiral, ‘til our cheeks start to burn As the very last note fades away and is gone
The crowd calls “goodnight” and turn their faces home
We’re off to the pub for a pint and a chat
And Plough Monday pudding, thanks to Julia for that.
We’ll laugh and we’ll ponder; say “thank God it didn’t rain”
And “I can’t wait for next year to do it all again”. | |
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