East Anglian Traditional Music Trust’s Stepdance Day has moved around the Eastern counties since the Worlingworth Swan, its long time home in Suffolk, closed down a few years ago. This year’s event took place at The Three Horseshoes, an old brick and flint pub in the village of Warham, a mile or two inland from Wells-Next-the-Sea in North Norfolk.
The large open fronted wooden shelter alongside the lawned beer garden, offering a hard floor and shade from the summer sun, was perfect for dancers and musicians.
Participants, musicians and spectators travelled from across East Anglia, from London, and special mention to Debbie Sanger travelling up from Devon to compete again.
Stepping and jig doll workshops led by Angela Peacock, and Sue Beecroft and George Monger, were followed by the competitions. Sue had brought along two new additions to her growing collection of jig dolls, a Whittlesey straw bear and bear’s attendant. Winner of the hotly contested jig doll competition was Peter Cousins, a jig doll maker himself.
Eleven steppers entered for the Steve Monk Trophy, won this year by local lad Josh Dart. Julian Rowe, long term supporter of EATMT and relative of Steve Monk’s had travelled up from Suffolk, and presented the trophy.
Josh also won the Font Whatling traditional competition, where no taps or Blakeys are allowed. Best newcomer went to Ellie Dartsmith and best junior to Edward Leadbetter. The Percy West O’Connor Plate, awarded for dedication to keeping step dancing alive in the region, went to Michael Czarnobaj from Ely.
Musical accompaniment saw fiddles and dulcimers to the fore, in contrast with previous years where squeezeboxes have largely been dominant.
The afternoon was rounded off with an informal music, stepping and singing session, an unexpected highlight of which was Zina and Theodora (apologies for any misspellings), two ladies from Russia now living in England, with a traditional Russian wedding song.
Look out for next year’s date and venue !
Eammon Andrews
11th August 2026
