Historic Bacup dance procession faces axe due to police cutbacks

12:07pm Wednesday 5th September 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Chris Gee, Reporter

One of the Britannia Coconut Dancers One of the Britannia Coconut Dancers

A QUIRKY and colourful all-day dance procession which has taken place for more than 100 years in East Lancashire is under threat.

The Britannia Coconut Dancers, known as the Nutters, fear that visitors to Bacup will not witness their annual Easter Boundary Dance again following police insistence that the folk dance group apply for a road closure notice costing up to £1,000.

The boundary to boundary dance traditionally takes place on Easter Saturday over a 12 hour period, taking in various pubs and locations in the town.

The group perform folk dances wearing eyecatching outfits during the day.

During the boundary dance, the group raise funds with a collection and last year donated around £600 to local good causes.

Neville Earnshaw, treasurer for the Nutters, said: “The latest police view is that the dancers should walk along the pavement and dance at ‘agreed off the highway locations’ along the route and that the route should be shortened.

“Our committee formed the view that if the traditional format of the boundary dance was going to be changed or serious costs to the group’s funds were going to be incurred, then it will not take place.

“We see boundary dance as historic and unique having gone on for more than 100 years, baring war years.

“It attracts a lot of interest and publicity for the town and generates considerable income for the local business community.”

The group’s secretary, Joe Healey, said: “We were told that although the police respected the tradition and community intentions of the event, it could not be policed due to cutbacks in officer numbers and financial restraints.

“The group must marshal the event themselves.”

Mr Healey added that he was still hopeful that a meeting between the Nutters, county and borough council officials and the police organised for next month could resolve the issue.

“We need to find a way to get the charges waived or be advised at how to get funding to pay for the road closure order,” he said.

The Nutters’ custom of blackened faces may reflect a pagan or medieval background, done to disguise the dancers from being recognised by evil spirits.

Another theory is that it may also reflect mining connections.

The police were not available for comment.

Opinion n 8

Comments (10)

1:46pm Wed 5 Sep 12

HelmshoreBoy says...

Unfortunately events like this will suffer because of the cuts made to front line police officers, but this is a golden opportunity for the volunteer special police officers to show their worth.

As for a road closure licence, what a load of cobblers! The police used to stop the traffic as procession made its way through Bacup and Stacksteads. Any hold ups to traffic was minimal. It just shows that the new breed of police bosses have no conception of local tradition. They are like butterflies who flit from pillar to post as they seek promotion, without actually engage with the locals. That what you call "Community Policing"!
Unfortunately events like this will suffer because of the cuts made to front line police officers, but this is a golden opportunity for the volunteer special police officers to show their worth. As for a road closure licence, what a load of cobblers! The police used to stop the traffic as procession made its way through Bacup and Stacksteads. Any hold ups to traffic was minimal. It just shows that the new breed of police bosses have no conception of local tradition. They are like butterflies who flit from pillar to post as they seek promotion, without actually engage with the locals. That what you call "Community Policing"! HelmshoreBoy

2:59pm Wed 5 Sep 12

happycyclist says...

Same thing to happen at Darwen Gala, pedal car grand prix, etc, etc. Big society shown up for the hot air it is and the destruction of community events.
Same thing to happen at Darwen Gala, pedal car grand prix, etc, etc. Big society shown up for the hot air it is and the destruction of community events. happycyclist

3:01pm Wed 5 Sep 12

happycyclist says...

And if the courts dealt with the scrotes properly, there might be enough police money to benefit decent people rather than having to be spent capturing and recapturing criminals time and time again.
And if the courts dealt with the scrotes properly, there might be enough police money to benefit decent people rather than having to be spent capturing and recapturing criminals time and time again. happycyclist

3:02pm Wed 5 Sep 12

happycyclist says...

Ditto running events, cycling events... Olympic legacy and all that.
Ditto running events, cycling events... Olympic legacy and all that. happycyclist

3:45pm Wed 5 Sep 12

her from here says...

HelmshoreBoy wrote:
Unfortunately events like this will suffer because of the cuts made to front line police officers, but this is a golden opportunity for the volunteer special police officers to show their worth.

As for a road closure licence, what a load of cobblers! The police used to stop the traffic as procession made its way through Bacup and Stacksteads. Any hold ups to traffic was minimal. It just shows that the new breed of police bosses have no conception of local tradition. They are like butterflies who flit from pillar to post as they seek promotion, without actually engage with the locals. That what you call "Community Policing"!
Well said
[quote][p][bold]HelmshoreBoy[/bold] wrote: Unfortunately events like this will suffer because of the cuts made to front line police officers, but this is a golden opportunity for the volunteer special police officers to show their worth. As for a road closure licence, what a load of cobblers! The police used to stop the traffic as procession made its way through Bacup and Stacksteads. Any hold ups to traffic was minimal. It just shows that the new breed of police bosses have no conception of local tradition. They are like butterflies who flit from pillar to post as they seek promotion, without actually engage with the locals. That what you call "Community Policing"![/p][/quote]Well said her from here

6:12pm Wed 5 Sep 12

dom jolly says...

HelmshoreBoy wrote:
Unfortunately events like this will suffer because of the cuts made to front line police officers, but this is a golden opportunity for the volunteer special police officers to show their worth.

As for a road closure licence, what a load of cobblers! The police used to stop the traffic as procession made its way through Bacup and Stacksteads. Any hold ups to traffic was minimal. It just shows that the new breed of police bosses have no conception of local tradition. They are like butterflies who flit from pillar to post as they seek promotion, without actually engage with the locals. That what you call "Community Policing"!
well said, i'm suprised the nutters haven't been shut down before now because of their blacked out faces.

I bet police manpower could be found if cash was stumped up.
[quote][p][bold]HelmshoreBoy[/bold] wrote: Unfortunately events like this will suffer because of the cuts made to front line police officers, but this is a golden opportunity for the volunteer special police officers to show their worth. As for a road closure licence, what a load of cobblers! The police used to stop the traffic as procession made its way through Bacup and Stacksteads. Any hold ups to traffic was minimal. It just shows that the new breed of police bosses have no conception of local tradition. They are like butterflies who flit from pillar to post as they seek promotion, without actually engage with the locals. That what you call "Community Policing"![/p][/quote]well said, i'm suprised the nutters haven't been shut down before now because of their blacked out faces. I bet police manpower could be found if cash was stumped up. dom jolly

7:34am Thu 6 Sep 12

BritainfortheBritish says...

Is this just an excuse to stop it because they black out their faces ????
They stopped the black and white minstrels due to this .
I do hope not because Britain is losing to much in all areas due to over zealous and often stupid pc .
Is this just an excuse to stop it because they black out their faces ???? They stopped the black and white minstrels due to this . I do hope not because Britain is losing to much in all areas due to over zealous and often stupid pc . BritainfortheBritish

12:16pm Thu 6 Sep 12

gillbacup says...

It's strange the fact that the nutters still get away with blacking their faces these days. I don't think it should be stopped it's a good family day and they raise money for good causes. I agree that the community officers should take this on and help keep the tradtion alive.
It's strange the fact that the nutters still get away with blacking their faces these days. I don't think it should be stopped it's a good family day and they raise money for good causes. I agree that the community officers should take this on and help keep the tradtion alive. gillbacup

7:38pm Thu 6 Sep 12

Bacupbloke says...

Bacup is a funny old place. Blackfaced nutters and gravy wrestling. No wonder the rest of Lancashire think that the town is backward.
Bacup is a funny old place. Blackfaced nutters and gravy wrestling. No wonder the rest of Lancashire think that the town is backward. Bacupbloke

5:25pm Tue 11 Sep 12

Anita-Lancs says...

It is a great shame if this tradition falls by the wayside.
It is a great shame if this tradition falls by the wayside. Anita-Lancs

Comments are closed on this article.

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