The Round organises a Playford Ball each year, and invites past and present members of the Round to attend. It is a formal but relaxed chance to pretend you have just stepped out of a Jane Austen novel. All the dances are called, so it isn’t too scary, but if you haven’t done much English country dancing before it would be a good idea to come to some of the regular Thursday meetings during the Easter Term.
The Ball is held on the Saturday following the last day of Cambridge University Easter Full Term, so in 2022 it will be on Saturday 18th June. Further details will be announced in due course.
As is customary, the programme will be largely selected from Palmer’s Pocket Playford. Cribs are provided with the tickets for those dances not included there.
The programme for the 2019 Ball was:
| Never Love Thee More Nonesuch Mr Isaac’s Maggot Mage on a Cree Barbarini’s Tambourine Parson’s Farewell Well Hall Merry Merry Milkmaids Sun Assembly Step Stately Apley House Newcastle |
Childgrove Juniata The Black Nag Mr Beveridge’s Maggot The Phoenix Sapphire Sea Fourpence Ha’penny Farthing Whirligig The Indian Queen The Fandango The Guidman of Ballangigh Gathering Peascods |
|
| Kentucky Running Set |
Kentucky Running Set has nothing to do with Playford dancing but it is traditional for some to run a set or two during the interval.
The event is followed on the Sunday after the ball by a punt party to Granchester Meadows.
Hugh's History of the Round includes some information on the history of the Playford Ball.