To round off May, we paid our annual visit to Marston. First stop, Marston Court Care Home, and our musicians Steve and Audrey had bought along a little help.

Young Edward joins Steve and Audrey.

We have to be on form for this danceout; our audience again includes a lady who probably qualifies as Morris royalty, as William Kimber was her granddad.
See this report from our previous visit if that’s not a name you recognise.

William Kimber’s grand-daughter.

So, sticks out for Bluebells.

Bluebells of Scotland.

We finished with our participation dance.

Shepherd’s Hey

Once again, we were rewarded with scones, jam and cream!

After that, up the road to Old Marston and the terrace of the Victoria Arms. It wasn’t quite a perfect summer evening, so only a few hardy souls were outside.

On the terrace at the Victoria Arms.

There’s not a huge amount of free space on the terrace, so we squeezed into a corner.

A bit tight for space on the terrace.

A view of the terrace.

Once done dancing, we retreated inside for some tunes and socialising.

Aaand, relax…

It’s Thursday, so we’re out and about again. This week, we were at the lovely Seven Stars at Marsh Baldon, a delightful community owned pub, with guests our old chums Old Speckled Hen.

Old Speckled Hen lead off.

Once more us Havocs had Jenny from Bellswagger joining us. It turns out Jenny likes to dance Step n’ Fetch Her. Will we get off the ground?

Getting off the ground.

OSH generate some volume.

The OSM musicians in action.

The evening merged into a spectacular sunset.

Old Speckled Hen dance as the sun sets.

And afterwards a little music inside.

Off to the lovely old Fox at Denchworth, where once more we are guests of the men of Icknield Way.

Once more, it’s not the warmest of evenings.

Havoc musicians (and Jenny) looking like they could be warmer.

Luckily this week the patio is a bit bigger than last week, so there’s no problem with room.

Havoc hankies are a-flying.

Icknield get things waving.

Our hosts were in fine form.

Icknield getting into Banks of the Dee.

Icknield show us how to dress.

And once again, once dancing was brought to a halt by the appearance of substantial platters for sandwiches and chips (Thank You, the Fox!), it was inside for songs and tunes. All in all, a great way to spend a May evening.

Out annual meetup with our old friends from Towersey Morris. The corresponding fixture last years was held on a lovely summer’s evening, where we dance happily on the lawn. THis year, however, was a bit on the overcast and soggy side, so we decided that the patio might be a better bet.

Towersey got underway in fine style.

Towersey demonstrate their synchronised hankie prowess.

In return we tried an eight-handed dance and, well, it was a bit of a tight fit.

Havoc finding it bit of a squash.

Sticks featured too.

Towersey get the long sticks out.

Havoc show that we can do things with long sticks too.

Luckily the rain held off; no interrupted dancing. Afterwards we headed indoors for some tunes and songs.

The swing frames a deflated bouncy castle and Emma’s Austin Allegro.

Oxford takes its May Morning tradition seriously. And Havoc is no exception. For the last few years, the Friends of the Botanic Garden have kindly invited us to their early May Morning gathering. A lovely location, even if it means we start dancing at 05:15.

Starting Constant Billy

At that time in the morning, some brisk exercise is necessary to keep out the cold.

Warming up

It’s all very well if you’re dancing. Our poor musicians have to wrap up warm.

Musicians feeling the temperature

Now let’s get the long handles out.

And some precision long stick work

When it’s fully light, we can appreciate the Botanic Gardens. Just over the road from Magdalen Tower, it’s a prime position to watch the choir sing at 6am.

It’s light!

After listening to the Magdalen choir, we wandered down to the Said Business School and provided a little diversion for the early commuters. From there, it was on to our home pub, the Seacourt Bridge, to round off the morning.

At the Seacourt Bridge

And thanks to Tracy and the team – breakfast at last.

Breakfast!