Today we’ve been dancing at the village fete in Sandford. Another traditional fete – if this was Midsummer Murders, we’d be lucky to get out alive – and another fee to swell our charity fundraising for this year. The fete bought the crowds out.

Fete crowds.

We did two half hour displays on a grass area.

Hankies flying.

Constant Billy.

The thing about dancing on grass is that it’s rather hard work.

Sidesteps. It’s hard work on grass.

So we all needed the break at half time.

Musicians and Morris Dancers gravitate to the Beer Tent.

And Squire had to consult with the other Important Personages there present.

Cheers, Ma’am!

Back for the second half. Delighted that Oliver was in town, and back with us for the afternoon. These days he’s more likely to be dancing with Blackheath Morris, the side that appeared in the 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremony, no less. We are not worthy.

Oliver takes time out from Blackheath.

Whether it’s the regular Tuesday evening session, or a dance out, we’re regular visitors to Tommy and the Eight Bells at Eaton. It’s a warm and dry summer evening, so we’re doing our usual thing.

Vandals of Hammerwich.

Back to Back!

Not having any other sides around means that Squire can put us through our paces on some dances to check that we’ve not forgotten them.

Dogs or War – Kill!

And we have a fete coming up on Saturday, so let’s practice some crowd-pleasers too.

Shaving the Donkey.

Jenny Lind.

Of course, when there’s only us dancing, it’s not only the dancers who have to work hard. Spare a thought for the hard-working engine room of the side too.

Our musicians.

It’s a near-perfect summer evening, and we’re off to meet Old Speckled Hen for the second time this season. This time we are once again their guests at the Six Bells in Warborough. A pub familiar to Midsommer Murders fans. Let’s hope we get out alive.

A perfect summer evening.

Our hosts.

A nice evening for a dance…

Bluebells of Scotland.

Susie briefly deserts her melodeon for the bootstick.

… or just to relax and take it all in.

OSH and the Six Bells.

Havoc onlookers.

And two bonuses. Two talented youngsters with OSH connections gave us a jig each. One near the start of the evening…

An early jig.

… and another as the sun faded and my phone camera started to really struggle with the light.

A late jig.

We’ve been busy.

On Saturday we contributed to the entertainment at the Culham Fete, doing 2 half hour displays on a hot afternoon. And somehow the only picture we have of the entire evening is this one.

Junior traction engine at Culham Fete.

And then, out on a Monday evening, unusually, we find ourselves as guests of Masons Apron at the appropriately named Masons Arms in North Leigh. Also present, fellow guests Eynsham Morris.

Masons Apron at the Masons Arms.

We did our usual thing, with a fast moving Shave the Donkey.

Shave the Donkey in motion!

And some more sedate dances.

Hankies aloft.

Eynsham treated us to their usual energetic dancing.

Eynsham have selected their victim…

…and pounce!

The evening turned steadily into the spectacular, and to cap that Masons produced supplies of their famed cake!

Sunset.

After that, we moved inside for a jolly session with all parties. And Emma treated us to some clog.

Inside clogging.

Lovely.

Another of our regular summer destinations, the Chequers at Charney Basset sits opposite a classic village green. Which is difficult to photograph in the evening sun.

The village green at Charney Basset.

We’d hoped to have some guests this evening, but it was not to be.

Country Gardens… tum tum ti tum ti tumty tumpty tum…

Still, some nice weather turned up.

Not quite an all-woman Highland Mary.

Rounds!

Some of the locals were even misguided enough to watch, and our charity bucket saw some action.

Every evening as true as the clock…

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.