The Buttercross Belles

The Buttercross Belles - a brief history.

1992

In January the Buttercross Belles were formed by Jenny Liston who was later elected as Squire. Our first public performance was May Day at Westgate School, Otley.In the Autumn, we viseted Montereaux, Otleys French twining town.

1993

In September, The Buttercross Belles danced at the 1st Otley Black Sheep Folk Festival.

1994

In May saw the first apperance of the Betty and Green man.

1995

The Buttercross Belles first warm winter dance out in their new cardigans.
From left to right: Anne, Jenny, Pauline, Irene and Julie.

1996

The Buttercross Belles danced at Pool Gala on the 7th July 1996, In the Autumn Irene Hurlow was elected Squire.
The Green Man appeared as an accompanyment to the Belles.

1997

The Buttercross Belles held a weekend of dance to celebrate our 5th birthday.

1998

In the summer, we visited Coutances in Normandy, France.
Louise Wilson was elected Squire in the autumn.

1999

2000

In Summer 2000 we re-visited Coutancec in Normandy.

We also took part in the Pageant - Farming through the ages - held in the Main Arena at the Great Yorkshire Show.

2001

Dancing at dawn on Otley Chevin, Mayday 2001

2002

The Belles celebrated their 10th birthday with a day of dance, followd by a summer trip to Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland.

2003

2004

In 2004, the Belles re-visited their friends Trachtengruppe Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland.

Linda Pennington was elected Squire.

2005

2006

Following our visits to Switzerland, Trachtengruppe (the swiss team) visited Otley.

In the Autumn, the new Constitution was adopted.

2007

2008

2009

In 2009 the Buttercross Belles visits Trachtengruppe in Switzerland.

"Speaking to some spectators, they commented that they couldn't believe their luck to have seen us whilst in Brugges, Belguim in 2007 and again in Switzerland and had to take some pictures as proof for their friends back home" Lucy