Kentish Hops : Kentish Country Dances Mainly from the Eighteenth Century

Originally researched by 'Bert' Simons, this is a collection of Kentish country dances, mainly from the 18th and 19th centuries.

The dances are as far as possible his own interpretation; however, there are some which have been slightly changed to fit the music.

Also included are those previously printed in his Kentish Hop leaflets.

Many of the dances were triple minor formation. However, as these are often uninteresting for the third couple, some have been slightly modified to make them suitable as three couple set dances.

One of the fairly common movements of the tinme was 'foot it'.

This was a lively movement; although not written down it is thought to have consisted of jumping and kicking out one's right leg either sideways or to the front, another jump and kicking with the lift leg.

This has gone out of fashion except for one or two dances such as the "Dutch Skipper", it has therefore been changed throughout to a 'set right and left'.

In some cases dances have the same title but are by different composers, presumably because the Dancing Masters of the time liked to introduce a new dance at the particular event. Dances often refer to events or happenings within towns or villages and therefore contribute in a small way to the history of Kent.

In some instances and indication is given as a footnote to the dances.