The Nut
At the end of each figure the dancers come into or should be already
standing in the "Nut Position". This is a close centre facing circle
each dancer with his left wrist above his right wrist the rapper in his
right hand (swivel handle) above the rapper in his left hand (wrapped end).
Each dancer moves his elbows together, pulls the rapper in his right hand
down a little bit, and slips the swivel handle of his rapper under the,
wrapped handle of the man on his left, at the same moment moves his left
hand up a little and slips the wrapped handle over the swivel handle of
the man on his right's rapper. The dancers push the rappers in as far as
they will go to tighten the Nut. No. 1:moves his left hand and firmly holds
the nut at the point where No. 5's and No. 2's rappers cross, and lets go of
the rapper in his right hand. The other dancers let go of the rappers in both
hands. No. 1 raises the Nut in a vertical plane high above his left shoulder.
The dancers facing towards the centre of the circle step for one phrase of music.
No. 1 lowers the Nut to a horizontal plane at about chin level, bringing his
right arm over his left arm as he does so. Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 5 place their
right arms above their left arms, move their left hands to the right above
a swivel handle and grab their original wrapped handles with their left hand
(palm upwards). At the same time all 5 move their right hand across to the
left under a wrapped handle to grab the swivel handle of their own rapper
with their right hands. As soon as the dancers begin to grab their rappers
No. 1 releases his hold on the Nut, turns his left hand over and grabs his
original wrapped handle with it. All the dancers bring their hands together
and past, then step back into the circle position. Usually they then go
straight into the next figure but may if No. 1 calls it, "Step" in this,
position for a further phrase.
Note 1: To practice this part of the dance without first performing a
figure; the dancers should start in the circle position then all turn
clockwise on the spot - this brings them into the "Nut Position".
Note 2: The dancers at Bedlington each marked their swivel handles
and wrapped ends of their neighbours' rappers with nicks burn marks,
coloured wool and knots etc. to make sure that they grabbed the correct
handles after the Nut was lowered.
Bedlington Index