The Old Mettle Dance Band

The music: Dave Moore, Bryan Martin, Stephen Wass, Gorden Raitt, Rey Lear, Wedding reception, Sulgrave Manor

The Old Mettle Dance Band plays for barn dances in and around North Oxfordshire. We perform for P.T.A.s, Sports and Social Clubs and private parties and provide a whole evening of entertainment based on traditional English music and dance with a modern twist.

All we need is a large hall or barn and somewhere to plug in then the fun starts.
We have our own caller who will take your guests through the simple instructions for each dance and keep them all on track as the music begins. While the dancers get their breath back we step forward with a selection of tunes for listening to and the occasional dance display.

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The caller: Verna Wass, Harvest Supper, Hanwell Church

The normal format is an evening which begins around 8.00 and ends around 12.00, however this can be varied to suit your needs. Most organisers put in a supper break mid-way through the evening. We have also performed at venues ranging from folk clubs.....

(c) Rosy Burke Design

to museum foyers.......

(c) Rosy Burke Design

Our usual six piece line up includes melodeon, fiddle, whistle, flute, bass and lead guitars, and a variety of percussion.
We play and teach a range of dances mainly from the tradition of English country dancing, most are lively some are more relaxing.We have also specialised in dance music from the period of the English Civil War and can provide a programme of period music specially tailored to the needs of groups interested in historic dance.

Are you planning a family celebration, a staff party or a winter festival event like Twelfth Night or Valentine's Day? Why not warm up the evening with some music, dancing and traditional festivities?

We will be happy to discuss your individual requirements and quote you a fee for an event, contact us here.

We have also recorded a CD to give you a feel for how the band sounds. Individual tracks can be downloaded here . Alternatively you can Email us here to order the complete CD. We usually sell this 8 track collection for £5 but if you book us please feel free to keep your copy, compliments of the band.

The band are named after 'Old Mettle', a local character who was well known in the Banbury area during the nineteenth century. His real name was William Castle and as well as being an itinerant match seller and commentator on political affairs he was also the fool for the Adderbury Morris Men.The Old Mettle Dance Band was originally formed amongst the musicians of the Adderbury Morris Men but it has since recruited talented and experienced musicians from many other areas.

For more information about William Castle see articles in the Internet magazines "Shave the Donkey" and "Musical Traditions"

In the autumn of 2004 we bought this original print of William Castle, it is labelled "J B Levie fecit Banbury"

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