Our first dance out of July saw us at the Fox in Denchworth as guests of Icnkield.
The Fox is a thatched pub in the Vale of the White Horse. We danced outside on the patio beside the large garden on a perfect summer evening.
Much to the joy of all concerned, the Fox provided an enormous quantity of sandwiches and roast potatoes to encourage us. I for one struggled to jump very high during dances after they appeared.
Despite a full weekend of dance, Havoc also turned out on at one of our favourite pubs, the Prince of Wales at Shippon, on the evening of Sunday 29th June to mark the end of Phil and Karen’s final weekend in charge.
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.
Our dance out this week was unusually on a Monday, the 23rd of June. We were a little to the west of Banbury, at the Stags Head, Swalcliffe, with Masons Apron.
The Stags Head, Swalcliffe.
It was the day after midsummer, and a near perfect evening.
Masons Apron at the Stags Head, Swalcliffe.
Constant Billy at the Stags Head, Swalcliffe.
And after the dancing was finished, Masons Apron produced CAKE! Mmmmm. Masons are famous for their cake.
Sunset over Swalcliffe Church.
Back on home ground, Sunday 15th June saw us at Wittfest, a small free charity music festival that’s a fixture on the Havoc calendar. We were, as usual, dancing on the grass outside the concert tent. Luckily the weather had been dry. We’ve discovered in the past that dancing is hard work when the going is soft.
Even with firm ground, when grass is involved a stick doesn’t make much noise when it hits the ground. Cries of ‘Bang!’ were added to give on-lookers a clue as to the usual procedure.
Jenny Lynd at Wittfest.
Havoc musicians were augmented by a small extra, Steve and Audrey’s grandson Ethan.
Steve and Audrey’s grandson Ethan appears in kit.
The weekend of the 6th-8th June saw a determined chunk of Havoc make the long trip to Cornsay Colliery near Durham to join our friends at Kern Morris of Durham for their Weekend of Dance.
After travelling up on the Friday, we got down to business on Saturday morning in Durham city centre.
Balance the Straw at Millennium Place, Durham.
There were about 11 sides present. We all did a dance together before most of the others headed off to other part of the city centre. Our first spot was in Millennium Place, so we stayed put with Claro Sword and Morris, Clogarhythm and Whitby’s very own Jet Set Border Morris.
Jet Set Border Morris at Millennium Place, Durham.
Clogarhythm in Millennium Place, Durham.
After a few dances, it started to rain. So we moved on to our next spot, outside the Cathedral.
Claro Morris try carrying St Cuthbert.
Unfortunately the rain didn’t let up. Havoc don’t let a little water spoil our high spirits.
Musicians just love it when it rains, Durham.
After that, we all hid in a pub for lunch. And, as the rain continued, for the afternoon.
Mick Onions is worried about the amount of headroom.
Luckily the weather lifted a little in the evening, and with the encouragement of the pub customers more dancing happened.
Come Sunday morning the sun came out properly.
Kern Morris outside the Royal Oak, Cornsay Colliery.
It was a long way home….
The Prince of Wales has been a regular venue for Cry Havoc over the last five years, thanks to the great welcome we always receive from Phil and Karen – and the top-notch beer! Sadly, Phil and Karen will be leaving the pub at the end of the month. To show our appreciation for their hospitality and support, we were there on Thursday not only to dance, but also to present a cheque to Phil’s chosen charity, Helen & Douglas House. It’s not quite farewell yet, though: we’ll be back at the Prince of Wales for Phil and Karen’s last weekend!
A big-stick dance.
Photo credit: Peter West
The musicians.
Photo credit: Peter West
Dancing Jenny Lind.
Photo credit: Peter West
The Squire, Phil, and Karen present a cheque to Peter West of Helen & Douglas House.
Our Charney Bassett correspondent has found an interesting snippet from the Longworth Parish Magazine for February 1910.
William Kimber teaching Morris in Hanney and Longworth.
So, it looks like that not only was there a womens’ side in Hanney and a side in Longworth, but that they received instruction from none other than the famous William Kimber.
I’m guessing from the piece that these were both sides set up during the folk revival of the early 20th century. Further information welcome!
Our first dance out of June saw us at the Six Bells, Warborough, with North West Clog side Old Speckled Hen.
It was a fine summer evening, and the old thatched inn and the cricket match in progress on the adjoining field felt like a Tourist Board Merrie England picture.
Constant Billy at the Six Bells, Warborough
Cricket on the green
Back from the hurly-burly of the Chippenham Folk Festival, our excursion on May 29th was to The Chequers, Charney Bassett.
At the Chequers, Charney Bassett.
Those cars are uncomfortably close.
We were dancing by ourselves that night. Or so we thought. Emily and Omri had other ideas, and after doing Shepherd’s Hey with us decided to have a go at Shave the Donkey.
Impressively good for a first attempt!
After dancing, in for a session. And our kind hosts presented us with a mountainous quantity of rather fine food. More than we could finish. But we’re very grateful.