We were delighted to be invited to perform at the annual Geevor Gala Day at Geevor Tin Mine. It was a privilege to entertain former miners and staff, the dedicated volunteers, and the many visitors who came to celebrate this remarkable site.
Performing against the spectacular backdrop of the iconic mine headframe and the ocean made for an unforgettable experience. There could hardly be a
more fitting setting for our dances, especially those celebrating Cornwall’s rich industrial heritage.
A particular highlight of the day was performing “Geevor”, an original Boscastle Border Morris dance created by our Foreman, Lara, with music
composed by our lead musician, Neil. Written as a tribute to Cornwall’s tin mining heritage, this evocative storytelling dance follows a team of eight
dancers as they begin their shift underground. Each dancer carries two sticks, representing miners’ picks, while the choreography and music echo the
rhythm, industry and determination of those who worked beneath the earth.
To complete the tribute, we exchanged our traditional Morris hats for miners’ hard hats – a detail that was warmly received by the audience and added an
extra layer of authenticity to the performance.
Throughout the day we performed two full dance sets, with morning and afternoon displays featuring ten dances in total. Between performances, we
also enjoyed exploring the fascinating museum, venturing underground on a mine tour, and even trying our hand at gold panning.
It was a wonderful day celebrating Cornwall’s mining heritage, and we are grateful to everyone at Geevor Tin Mine for making us feel so welcome.
