A glorious summer evening with dear friends Old Speckled Hen!

Back from an exceptional weekend in Towcester – a great weekend of dance food and fellowship – great weather, great dance sides, great food, great hosts (esses), great venues and great value – many thanks

I have no idea who took this sneaky shot – but must explain – Oliver was worn out from playing and I was empathising with him!  Plus it’s tough being his tour manager, beer buyer and dad!

First Stop Brackley – Blackheath Morris kick us off – with a joke before each dance – How many members of the Morris Ring does it take to change a lightbulb?

Change!!!    Meanwhile we are pictured with the Mayor! Queen’s Oak our delightful joint hosts (esses)

Morris kit 1 one – a bell pad  Stockport Morris Barbara thinks we’re on a fashion shoot!

Morris kit 2 – Socks and assorted curtain material!!  Wrigley Head

Wharf distillery – Dogs!

And Dacre and Mr Gumby and son!

Morris kit 3 – a hat

Morris kit 4 – sticky things! North West

Morris kit 5 –  A ‘Lagerphone’ without a drop of lager being spilled!  Lead musician for the day takes time out to be a yoof!

One for Barbara who says piccies rarely flatter her! Thanks to her and Charlotte, Barbara, Mick

and Jim who kept Oliver company musically.  

Don’t ask – although I know you will!

Can we gather round at the lock on Sunday for a photo – all facing the same way! Phoenix Morris!

Admiring fellow dancers!  Country Gardens!

With thanks to Charlotte – she knows why!!

A delightful evening with friends Towersey Morris

Banbury Bill – or Banbury Billy no mates – dancing out on our own!

Shepherd’s Hey for the two desperately keen punters!

A quick Postman’s knock while no one’s looking in case! – well there’s a phrase ‘in case’ – we make a mistake!  Charlotte got her wish!!   

Dance out the Old Speckled Hen – with their two new chicks!

Note the chap sitting on the far right – William Kimber!  What a coincidence – he is the grandson of the very William Kimber whose other relative we danced for last week and of course who did so much to revive the Morris!  His dad is William Kimber and he has a son – guess his name!

Mick proves to be a dab hand at brolly holding!  What a glorious rainbow! or two!

A glorious evening – starting with entertaining the folks at Marston Court Residential home – including William Kimber’s granddaughter.  Kimber was an English Anglo concertina player and Morris dancer who played a key role in the twentieth century revival of Morris Dancing. He was famous both for his concertina playing and for his fine, upright dancing, such that in his day he was presented in the highest circles of society.  He was born at Headington Quarry, Oxford, and had left school at the age of nine to work as a bird-scarer before taking up the trade of a bricklayer. However Kimber also played the concertina for his local Morris Dancers, the Headington Quarry Morris Men, and he was the musician when they were encountered by Cecil Sharp in 1899. Sharp, who was to be in the forefront of the revival of English folk music and dancing, noted down his first Morris tunes from Kimber’s playing. Subsequently Kimber acted as Sharp’s informant on the Headington Quarry Morris tradition, and as his assistant at lectures — Sharp would lecture on them while Kimber demonstrated the dances and played the concertina. Kimber’s fame grew, and he danced at the Royal Albert Hall, the Mansion House, and in front of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra at Chelsea Hospital.  He’d have made a fine Havoc!

Scones and cream to follow!

Thence to the Victoria Arms in Marston   Mass Shepherd’s Hey before great sandwiches and chips

Chippenham Folk Weekend – starting at 1000 with a North West Clog and a Border side and soon after with NW Clog and Molly side!

Quick dash to main stage in the big top at midday – with the Cry Havoc Big Band!  Good to see Steve back Strumming!

1330 assemble for processional

Quiz – Why has Mick not got a partner?

1! Monster from the black lagoon! and a splendid long set from National Youth Folk Ensemble

 Even a folk dance side from Slovakia – actually from London  And good to see Susie back dancing.

Last dance at 5pm – a long hot tiring day – but many thanks to organisers – great planning to put us with Traditional Welsh, Slovakians, NW clog, Rapper and Molly sides  – a great festival for dancers.

A glorious summer evening saw Havoc at ‘home’ with guests Mabel Gubbins; and splendid hospitality from the staff.

Another day when the rain just held off – on the dot of 1125 we set off up the hill – struggling with Havocs playing the Winster Processional at the front an Bill from Vale Islanders something else at the rear of the dancers!  Once at the top field we took turns before lunch.

ds