Saturday 17 June proved to be the start of a short heatwave and the hottest day of 2017 until then at 28C – that’s over 82F in old Morris money. For the second year we ventured into Flora Thompson country for a Beer Festival booking at her Candleford Green, in real life the village of Fringford. After a brief hiatus to muster the troops we put on a mercifully shortened set (in view of the strange burning thing in the sky) necessitated by the crowded entertainment programme laid on by the organisers. We kicked off with Sweet jenny Jones, then Constant Billy (it’s a swine on grass), Hail To The Chief and Roast Beef of Old England. Phil Taylor then volunteered to give us respite by doing a solo Jockey To The Fair – well played that man. We then finished off our first half with Shepherd’s Hey and Beaux of London City, before giving way to an interlude by the Fairground Organ. Its proud owner told us that the conclusion of “Tea for Two” was our signal to resume. There was just time for Haste to the Wedding, Washing Day, Lads a’Bunchum and Brighton Camp before the next singing act came on stage. Our thanks for assistance with dancing from beer-punter John and for photography by the stage soundman.

Cast and Crew:

Melodeon magic (Donald); Musical snuffling (Riley); I’m 71 You Know (Dorset Dave); Sticks driven from Leicestershire (Dave Snell); On loan from Kirtlington Morris (John Loudshirt); Founder Elder of the Tribe (Phil); Left New York 1am flying via Milan (Richard); Youthful exuberance (Ryan); Dog wrangler (Rachel)

AVMM had a busy day performing at three venues and completing 36 dances by the time we called a halt outside The Bell. David and Giles Snell, Ryan and John started the day at The Straw Kitchen in Whichford where Giles works. He was allowed to swap his apron for baldricks and a top hat and so impressed the patrons of the cafe and his boss, Maia, that she gave him the rest of the day off on condition that she and co-worker, Maya could join us on our last dance there.

There was another big and appreciative crowd at the Great Tew School Fete where we were joined by Dorset Dave and his family on the occasion of his 71st birthday. We danced three sets here interspersing our performances with music from a couple of local bands and our former Squire played along on his new harmonica while hiding behind the horse box which served as a stage. Our regular performers were joined for a couple of dances by whistle player, Malcolm. Later on we enlisted a member of the crowd to replace him on our final dance. Unfortunately, he had been sampling Old Rosie from the bar rather too enthusiastically and struggled to master the sticking or to dance in straight lines. Patrons of the Fete were much amused.

Our final venue was The Bell in Adderbury where we were due to be joined by Wyvern Jubilee Morris Men on their Cotswold weekend tour. They were running very late so we entertained the crowd with most of the dances from our repertoire and welcomed a most promising newcomer, John’s son-in-law, Troy. We also continued our policy of encouraging the youth wing of AVMM by introducing four of Dave and John’s grandchildren aged between four and seven to the joys of morris dancing in a slowed down version of Brighton Camp. By the time Wyvern finally arrived we decided to call it a day and leave the venue to our guests from the West Country who invited us for their 40th anniversary celebrations next year. Dave’s new harmonica was bedded in by this time and he managed a respectable Shepherd’s Hey alongside Wyvern’s accordionist.

All in all it was a most enjoyable day of warm sunshine in beautiful surroundings. Congratulations to Ryan and Giles who are improving all the time and many thanks to our superb musicians, Donald, Dave and Malcolm.