Report by Squire John Ekers:

Proceedings started at 10.30am in the graveyard of St Mary’s, Adderbury where the side honoured the contribution of Charlie Coleman, a survivor of the pre-World War One side, who was able to pass on memories of the Adderbury dances to Bryan Sheppard and Jim Plester founders of the revival side in the 1970s.

Dancing commenced in Church Lane and continued throughout the day at a number of pubs and landmarks around the village, including Lake House where the carers and residents enjoyed a performance of five of our dances. Although the weather wasn’t entirely hospitable, the day was a very happy and memorable one with an excellent turn out of dancers and a large crowd of friends, families and supporters, some of whom had travelled great distances to join us.

Many favourable comments were heard about the high standard of dancing. Tribute must be made to all those members who worked so hard during pre-season practices in The Tithe Barn and particularly to Dave Reed, who patiently passed on constructive tips on the dances to new recruits and more experienced dancers, all of whom are keen to improve  the standard of our performances.

We were delighted to welcome our youngest new member, Xavier Peissel, just two weeks old, looking resplendent in new green baldricks (picture above in the front row). He later accompanied proud father Damien in our Drinking Jig outside The Bell. We welcomed some Morris dancers who had travelled down from Yorkshire and are fans of the Adderbury Village dances. With other invited guests, they made up a set of no less than 24 dancers for Brighton Camp. A fine lunch was provided by Tony at The Coach and Horses, where we danced and entertained the locals with the singing of Come Landlord Fill The Flowing Bowl.

A total of 52 dances were performed during the day covering our entire repertoire with two sets for The Happy Man and Postman’s Knock (twice) and three sets for a number of other dances. It was good to see Bill Plester come out of retirement to dance with son Tim at Le Hall Place, where we were provided with an excellent tea with a fine selection of cakes by our friends from Sharp and Blunt.

The day ended with all three local sides taking turns to dance outside The Bell and a final performance of Brighton Camp led by AVMM with guest dancers and musicians from the other sides joining our regular musicians Donald and Malcolm. Special mention must be given to Troy and Ryan who danced superbly, performing the very demanding jig Jockey To The Fair at each of the three local pubs, also to our youngest dancers, Alfie, Theo and Dylan who showed enormous enthusiasm and energy and were keen to tackle all of our dances and are surely the future of the side for many years to come. Thanks to all who made this such an enjoyable Day of Dance. It was certainly a day to remember.

Memorial Ceremony for Ronald Pargeter, St Mary’s Church, Adderbury, Friday 27th April at 6pm. Report by Squire John Ekers

Nine dancers and three musicians from the current side took part in a short ceremony to remember Pte Ronald Leonard Pargeter of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Charlotte of Wales’s (Royal Berks Regiment) 25 Brigade, the last of the pre-World War One side to be killed in action. He died on the Somme on this day 100 years ago.

Mike Dalchau, a member of the current side planted a wooden cross in the garden of remembrance of St Mary’s Adderbury. We then filed into the church where Chris Holmes read ‘Anthem For Doomed Youth’ by Wilfred Owen. Squire John Ekers read some words by Marianne Griffin and a wreath was laid by Ryan Jamniuk. After a pause for remembrance, Chris Garrett, Treasurer of the current side recited ‘Adderbury Sunrise’ by Richard Thompson. Those present then joined in the singing of ‘The Happy Man’ and a song composed by musician Donald McCombie, ‘They’ll Never Dance Again’. The ceremony concluded with a harmonica solo of the tune Shepherd’s Hey followed by the dance of that name in the aisle.

Squire John Ekers writes:

Our first two public performances of the year went very well. On Sunday 22nd April we danced in a beautiful rural setting on fresh tarmac at the Chacombe Care Home and took part in the official opening of their new car park (see the photo below). The residents, relatives and carers were very appreciative of the performances of the nine dancers present and particularly enjoyed the dancing of our two youngest dancers, Dylan and Theo. Theo, aged ten, only joined us at the start of the practice season, so it was his first public performance. Well done that man!

To celebrate St George’s Day on Monday evening 23rd April, we assembled a good team of ten dancers and two musicians to dance around Deddington. We started at The Unicorn where local vicar, Annie, gave us a special blessing and said a short prayer of thanks for the joys of Morris dance and friendship. On a chilly evening only  a few hardy spectators braved the elements. However, the Landlord kindly offered us a free drink so we went inside and performed “Come Landlord Fill The Flowing Bowl” which was much appreciated by the man himself and his locals. Thanks to Dorset Dave and Donald for leading the singing on that item.

We then proceeded to the Deddington Arms where we performed further dances from our repertoire before darkness descended and we called it a day.

Earlier in the day a group of us had given a demonstration of Morris dancing to clients and carers at the Harborne Day Centre for adults with learning difficulties. A large and very exuberant crowd loved our performance and as always appreciated meeting Charlie the horse. The residents were taught a simple dance which they greatly enjoyed and they also showed us some disco dance routines which they had been learning for St George’s Day.