A glorious Northampton shire canal side location at Stoke Bruerne and 16 Morris sides and what have you got – a great weekend!

Havoc canal-side at Stoke Bruerne.

Between 27th and 29th June, ten Havocs spent a great weekend as guests of Rose and Castle Morris.

Rose and Castle, our weekend hosts.

After setting up camp on a rugby field we were greeted to a supper of chilli on Friday night along with around 200 dancers; who being Morris and lubricated with falling down liquid, broke into an impromptu session. Saturday started with a cooked breakfast and we were off – to dance at 4 venues around the County; travelling in two groups in four coaches. It was nice to be given a special welcome as a ‘Cotswold side’; most of the sides were North West clog – from as far away as Manchester. Saturday evening the hosts provided a veritable banquet and a grand ceilidh – Oliver outpaced the other side members – in particular Nigel who used the excuse of a recent illness to go to bed earlier – mind you sleep was a struggle – Greg had also gone to bed early!

Massed Morris sides by the canal at Stoke Bruerne.

Havoc dancing beside the canal at Stoke Bruerne.

Sunday morning another cooked breakfast and a leisurely morning before setting off to dance at the lock-side in Stoke Bruerne – a splendid location – with more than one pub and 16 sides all dancing on adjacent spots. Despite my early night – I was told I looked tired – I had not slept well, the horse in the nearby field had been snorting all night – ‘It wasn’t a horse’, said Lesley – who knew something I didn’t!! But what a great weekend of dancing, eating and imbibing; thanks to Queens Oak and Rose and Castle Morris.

In Wellingborough on the Rose and Castle Weekend.