Peter joined his first folk dance band in 1981, playing bass. He has also had a couple of forays into rock bands and a pantomime! He started calling dances in the mid 1980s. He was one of founder members of Jiggery Polkary.

Peter started folk dancing in the mid 1970s. He joined his first morris team in 1977 and was one of the founder members of the revived Lichfield Morris Men, of which he has been squire and is currently foreman. He is also a member of Armitage Mummers. He has performed with these and other teams all over the country, at festivals including Dancing England and Sidmouth International Festival, and in Denmark and Germany . He has also danced several times on BBC and ITV television, on a pop video and on the radio. He has also appeared in a car programme on the “Men and Motors” channel!

In April 2000, Peter took part in the “Nine Daies Morris”, the 400 th anniversary of William Kemp's dance from London to Norwich , dancing 132 miles in eight days!

He works as a quantity surveyor, specialising in health buildings. Apart from the band, his interests include Wagner, English music and anything with an engine! He also plays guitar and tibl (honestly!).

Instruments: Ibanez Soundgear SRX 500 bass.

Vox White Shadow fretless bass with EMG pickups.

Trace Elliot 135 watt, 1 x 15” combo amplifier.

Born in West Bromwich on St.Georges Day 1949, Arthur joined the band in 1997 when there was a vacancy for a guitar player. Entirely self-taught (as can clearly be heard), during the ‘sixties Arthur played in a rock band (see above) called The Inflatable Egg (“never ‘heard of ‘em”). He still uses the same all valve 50 watt amplifier coupled with the same 2 x 12 inch Goodman's speaker cabinet hand built by a chap called Lyndon Laney from Great Barr, who was at his school at the time, but who went on to found his own amplifier business (“thanks Laker!”). Arthur's wife bought him his U.S.A. built hard tail Fender Stratocaster for his 50 th birthday (“thanks Mary”).

In his professional life he was a Therapy Radiographer, and for the latter 21 years was in charge of the Radiotherapy Department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham . Since taking early retirement a few years ago (“no I don't miss it”) his main passion is now cooking, whenever possible using some of the vegetables and herbs he grows himself. Other interests include cycling, walking and most things of a practical nature - including the odd bit of D.I.Y. and building work.

The most recent member to join the band on moving to Lichfield in 2001. For the past 30 years, immersed in the world of Morris, Longsword and Rapper dancing so expect tunes from these dances to come through strongly. Early days spent in the Golden Star and Whites pubs in Norwich where the interest in live music began – a hearty mix of folk, heavy metal and punk! Periods living in Yorkshire , Northumbria , Scotland , and the West Country have given a broad range in musical styles and appreciation.

Has a doctorate in food science and works for Cadbury, takes work and play very seriously but who wouldn't, having worked with beer, whisky and now chocolate.

Music influences: “Many, many musicians met in pub sessions up and down the country inspire me much more than any form of recorded music”

Instruments: Saltarelle Cheviot (C#/D/G) and Hohner Club (C/F)

Ruth joined her first band in 1982, as a backing vocalist in a rock band. She joined her first folk dance band in 1983, playing first percussion and later drums. She was one of founder members of Jiggery Polkary.

Ruth started folk dancing at primary school, more years ago than she's prepared to admit! She returned to it in her late teens and has been dancing ever since. She has performed with several dance teams in the East Midlands .

After moving to Lichfield she was a founder member of a Beggars Oak women's clog dance team of which she was squire and foreman. With them she performed all over the country, including Scarborough Festival and several appearances at Wimbourne Festival. They danced on the BBC programme “Take a Break” with John Craven and Dianne Kemp and Ruth was interviewed by John about the team and their dancing. She is now a member of Three Spires, and has performed with them at Sidmouth International Festival, Polperro Festival and in Germany .

She works as the executive officer of a medical society, managing the society and organising their conferences. Apart from the band, her interests include cooking, reading, music and embroidery.

Instruments: Pearl Export five piece kit. Ludwig snare