This is a superior corner dance of considerable antiquity. Danced to the tune of Portholme, a popular fenland melody named after the huge water-meadow (still the largest in all of England) that lies over the River Great Ouse from the nearby town of Godmanchester. During the seventeenth century gained wider currency and was even published by the inestimable John Playford in his "Dancing Master" under the corrupted title of Portsmouth. In Mirkmere the original name is retained.
Tune:
Portholme
Sequence:
OY-FU/D-DF-CO-DF-HG-DF-Rds-Hey (and all up)
Chorus (DF):
A corner crossing sequence danced to the B-music
Side step sequence in place
2HC and 4PC to cross and change places (face out, no turns)