Sir Harry’s Sword

Sir Harry’s Sword are a junior sword dance side based in Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire. They are associated with Wype Doles a Whittlesey based adult Longsword side and are coached by Brian Kell. The side takes its name from Whittlesey's most famous son Sir Harry Smith ‘the hero of Aliwal’ who’s sword is pictured above and is on display in St Mary’s church. Sir Harry’s Sword practice most Monday evenings at Childers, Station Road, Whittlesey. The side encourages and welcomes new dancers to fill the gaps left as the older ones leave the side or move on to dance with Wype Doles.

Sir Harry’s Sword have danced at the Straw Bear festival, St. George’s day and other local events in Whittlesea. They have also impressed discerning audiences at Ely Folk Festival, The Lobster Potty dance week-end in Sheringham, the The Witchmen's winter Solstice dance out in Northamptonshire and Sword Dance Union events in Derby and Sheffield.

When they formed in 2004 the side danced with wooden swords but in 2007 Manchester Morris Men donated the set of light alluminium alloy swords that they currently use.

See some photographs and videos of the team dancing, including some taken at the Longsword Tournament and day of dance where Sir Harry’s Sword won the Cecil Sharpe EFDSS trophy for the best youth team in 2007, 2008 & 2009.