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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.

Paul Eady Straw Bear 2007 big band!

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 sadly depleted in musicians. The six piece in the photo dwindled to one over the years, then more recently our regular musician left which meant we have to borrow musicians for practice sessions and bookings, not an ideal situation as continuity suffers, dancers get used to one style of playing then have to get used to another!! So we urgently need musician(s) who can commit themselves to regular practice nights and summer dancing out and pub nights.

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!!

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