This early pic from Scarborough (date as yet unconfirmed) shows many of the musicians who have been involved with the group (click on pic for full size) Left to right Graham Booth, Pete Shaw , Mike Hurry, George Stevenson, Pete Safford-Honeyball and Paul Eady.    

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Music for Crosskey is currently supplied by melodeon. Amongst Morris sides  (clog is classed as ‘Morris’ alongside Cotswold (hankies and sticks) and the Border tradition (black faced and lot of shouting!) the melodeon is the most commonly used instrument both today and in the past. Accordion and flutina are also used, but melodeon seems favourite.

In yesteryear it’s likely that the local clog side would have the benefit of, not only melodeon, but probably some or all of the town’s brass band. It’s not uncommon to see brass instruments amongst bands today. Crosskey had the benefit of two trombone players plus sousaphone in the past (see  photo above). Bass and side drum usually come as standard!! They say a good clog side band can be heard three streets away!! Of course the more power and lift the band can give, the better the dancing, as you can imagine.  

Crosskey are lucky to have had good musicians supporting them but we are always welcoming to new musicians. At one point the six piece in the photo dwindled to one, but with Paul Eady and Pete Shaw alternating on Melodeon (and Jim Rist on the bass drum) they kept the music going and we kept dancing!. Over the last two years things have firmed up in the band department with Paul Eady returning as our mainstay Melodeon player together with Jim Rist (and Dave Colton on snare drum). We now have a core band which we would love to expand. Its also great to see returning musicians such Graham Booth (adding an occasional extra Melodeon) and Mary (on Tambourine) who knows we may get back that 'big band sound one day!. 

So if you play something, we’d like to hear from you. We can supply the dots if you need them, together with any help you may want

To replicate the infamous Big Band when we danced at Expo Steam at the East of England showground many a long year ago – the count was something in the order of 20 plus musicians - would be wonderful, but realistically we’ll settle for one or more additions!!

Go on, give it a go, contact Pete if you want a chat or info (see contact page)