Goathland Plough Stots' centenary year begins with blessing service

The Blessing of the Plough took place in Goathland Church on January 8, in a service led by the Area Dean, The Rev Michael Gobbett.
By Duncan Atkins
Published 10th Jan 2023, 11:59 BST
Updated 10th Jan 2023, 11:59 BST
The Rev Michael Gobbett performs the traditional Blessing of the Plough at Goathland Church. Picture by Michael Trimble.The Rev Michael Gobbett performs the traditional Blessing of the Plough at Goathland Church. Picture by Michael Trimble.
The Rev Michael Gobbett performs the traditional Blessing of the Plough at Goathland Church. Picture by Michael Trimble.

It is an ancient custom, and in Goathland is associated with the village long sword dancers, the Plough Stots.

Father Michael welcomed the Plough Stots “in this your centenary year in the name of the One who made us all, people, plants, animals, and all the Earth.”

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The service ended with two exhilarating dances by the Plough Stots and then came the Delights from the Plough Stots, superb contributions of music, singing, dialect, dancing, heart-rending folk songs including by folk singer Eliza Carthy.

Churchwarden at St Mary’s Church, Brenda Lealman, said: “Many thanks to Father Michael’s sensitive insight and appreciation; to Keith Thompson who does so much to keep alive the history and presence of long sword dancing and the Plough Stots in Goathland, and to the Plough Stots.

"They will be dancing around the village next Saturday.”

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