Loftus History

Adam Green, 74 of Boosbeck, had many memories of the grim depression days between the two wars. 
The East Cleveland district still had its famous sword dance teams, but Mr. Green recalled several villages had their own team and the men walked to various places, often miles in a day to dance, in the hope that they would be given a copper or two. 
To revive memories he loaned the photograph, taken he believes in the 1930's, of the Boosbeck Tulips, after winning the trophy at Newcastle St. James Hall with their display of the Yorkshire Long sword dance. 
In addition to the team members and the accompanist, each team was accompanied by "an old man and an old woman" in the shape of two men who dressed up in odd pieces of clothing. 
Left to right on the photograph: 
Bobby Rice, Tommy Green, Jack Armstrong, Frank Marsay, Will Marsay, Walter Hodgson, Adam Green, Arthur Johnson. 
The man holding the cup is Tommy Davison and the accompanist is Arthur Marshall a melodian player, who played for many successful sword dance groups.