“Leap To Your Feet”
Appalachian Clog Dance group was formed in 1993 as an offshoot from
the “Shredded Feet” Appalachian dancers who were based in Leyland,
Lancashire.
From a
small team, the group grew in numbers and ability and still
continues to this day.
Over the years there have been a number of
changes. The most notable being the retirement of Joyce
Riding and Sue Grills at the end of 2005. These two, who were
amongst the founding members, choreographed and taught many of the
dances still used by the group.
In June
2012, the untimely death of Margaret Ranyard who had been a leading
light of the group and a dancer since the earliest days shocked and
saddened us all.
During
these years the group have progressed from performing at school
fetes and small venues to shows at the Lowry Theatre in Salford and
the Albert Halls in Bolton.
They
also have appearing at many Folk Festivals including: Ulverston,
Saltburn, Cleckheaton, Fylde, Saddleworth, Ormskirk and
Chorley.
Performances
have also been given at the A1 Bluegrass Festival in Peterborough
and the Llandudno Coastline Bluegrass
Festival.
“Leap
To Your Feet” have also appeared on TV in the BBC2 show “Let Me
Entertain You” with Brian
Conley.
21st
Birthday 2014
On
Midsummers Day in 2014 the group celebrated 21 years of dancing as
a group by holding a Day Of Dance in Bolton town centre where they
were joined by several Morris
Dance
sides from across the North West. Later, they held a
celebratory evening which was attended by a large number of people
who had been involved with the group as dancer or musician
throughout the 21 years.
