First dance out of the year – 2015 The 8 Bells at Eaton – a splendid sunny evening maybe a first Morris with cello!

“If you add the ages of the two youngest dancers together and double, it you’ve got my age!” said a thoughtful member.

“What, 68?”

“Oh no: maybe not!”

Are they younger or is she?

Havocs in action in Oxford at Folk Weekend 2015

Havocs senior squad dance Jenny Lind!

A great evening of song, beer, food, good company and of course dancing!

Jim’s Mum is one of those people who Organises at her local church, All Saints in Gerrards Cross. The Church Committee heard somewhere that running a small beer festival was the latest natty fundraising idea, so they decided to try. And booked Havoc as entertainment.

Mercifully, we got a sunny September Saturday. We were given free beer – always the way to attract a Morris side – and lunch too! We also got distracted while dancing Jenny Lind by a Spitfire and a Hurricane circling overhead.

All Saints Beer Festival attracts Havocs – a bunch of ‘Vandals’

We had an unexpected guest from Chippenham Town Morris – try and spot which one he is!

And a ‘guest’ from Foxwhelp – less easy!’

We even managed to capture a video of ‘Hunt the Squirrel’.

A glorious sunny day on 6th September saw the Havocs at an annual event on their home territory in North Hinksey/Botley – a street party – with beer and cake – what else do you need to attract a Morris side?

Audience participation!

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.