We
are a barn dance ceilidh band providing live music of a traditional
nature, for dancing or listening, presented in a lively and exciting style.
As Tony modestly puts it: "HPT has positive
drive and strong rhythmic pulse, an excellent sense of timing, and a feel
for harmony and spontaneous improvisation."
The band was formed in 1976 by Tony and Caroline Gibbons.
Over the years HPT has had many members. Some have come and gone, but
Tony, Caroline and Hamish form the basis of
the band, with Phil Rush joining us on fiddle from time to time.
Our music is mainly English, Irish, Scottish, and American country dance tunes. European tunes
are included, as are many in the Playford and Early Music styles. Occasionally, vocal refrains are added.
A Tump is the Gloucestershire word for a barrow or burial mound
Our one is near Dursley, Glos (map); it's also known
as Uley Long Barrow. Here's a bigger map from
Streetmap
Hetty Pegler is either - the local name for a witch, or, more
likely, the person who
once owned the land on which the tump stands.
Here's an article that appeared in the Gloucester
Citizenabout the tump's name...
For a Halloween barn dance many years ago, we were billed as "The Things From
The Burial Mound". See the poster
Generally for barn dances. Some are public dances, many are private parties, quite a
few are wedding receptions.
A typical venue will be a hall - village, church, school, sports&social club, or university campus.
Sometimes it's a marquee in the back garden of a house or a pub.
We've been able to play in some really special places -
At all dances we work with established callers from across
the area who lead the merry-makers through each dance.
Sometimes we play just for listening in bars, such as the
De La Bere hotel,
during Cheltenham Gold Cup week.
Annual appearances at the
Cheltenham Greenbelt festival.
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