Saturday 29th June

But not just suicide. We also have windmills and freezes and other "speak" you won't recognise unless, unlike me, you have learned the language of break dance. I know more now than I did yesterday, thanks to Somerset team Known Assailants who have performed an exhausting 3 times a day since the festival began. I caught up with them around a camp-fire on Saturday night and learned everything I now know from Rowan; tall, fair, handsome, young, clever etc. They all live around Burnham on Sea in and have just reached the end of their busiest month yet. Last week they were on a school's tour, teaching body popping to kids with learning difficulties. They get most of their gigs through Somerset Dance Connections and they have big plans for the future. If the audience here at Glastonbury is anything to go by, their future is sound. I must confess, I didn't plan to go and see them but spotted a couple of pairs of whirling legs in the air (helicopter) and felt drawn. The legs and the loud hip-hop emanating from the Dance Variety and Fire stage persuaded several other passers by to shelve their plans and gather around - and it happens every time Known Assailants perform.

Rowan, Jake, Jamie, Duncan, Tom, Dean and Tom (not present this time) are all part timers hoping to dance professionally. A couple of them are off to dance school in September but they are not breaking the team. Watching them is exhilarating and a bit scary (if you're a very grown up motherly type like me) because it looks DANGEROUS. I asked Rowan if anyone ever gets hurt and he looked at me like I am a very grown up motherly type and assured me that they all learn how to fall properly. Right. But Jamie dislocated his finger and Rowan broke his toe once. It's their heads I worry about, all that spinning about. Even so, it's compulsive, high-energy stuff and I love it, they love it and the countless crowds that are pulled towards it from all corners of the theatre field obviously love it too. More please. They will be back for Glastonbury Festival of Dance, in the town hall on July 29th. Or contact Rowan to find out where next on 07799 707204. Words: Sandy Francis Pictures: Alf Goodrich and Sandy