Adderbury Village Morris Men ended a most successful first half of our Golden Anniversary season by dancing at two contrasting local venues. At noon we enhanced the Christopher Rawlings Primary School Summer Fete at the request of the Fete committee. On a warm overcast day with a welcome gentle breeze, nine dancers including a couple of former pupils plus musician, Donald entertained the crowd with our traditional repertoire including a challenging Black Joke, which tested fitness and energy levels, requiring some of our younger dancers to seek sustenance later from the burger stall. As usual our audience participation Shepherd’s Hey Jig brought in a good cohort of volunteers including, it should be noted, a member of the Thames Valley Police Force and a senior teacher from the school who had played for Aston Villa WFC, a fact which would have delighted our late Squire Bryan, who was an ardent fan of the Villa.
As we finished our set of dances and yielded the arena to the competing teams in the Tug of War, it was agreed to relocate to one of the finest Hook Norton pubs in the local area viz The Elephant and Castle, Bloxham. There we were welcomed by Landlord Simon Finch and a small but discerning crowd. We were refreshed with excellent pints of Hooky and had a chance to discuss some exciting ideas for further celebrating what has been, thus far, a most enjoyable Anniversary season as well as performing more of our dances on the compact, but excellent level dancing surface provided by the patio outside the entrance to the pub. Postman’s Knock, Roast Beef, Washing Day, Princess Royal, Stourton Wake and other dances were performed and recorded for posterity on various cameras which miraculously appear as locals and passers by became aware of the free entertainment on offer. We concluded proceedings as tradition demands with Brighton Camp and declined the kind offer of free chips from the management of the pub on the basis that we are now in training for a possible Morris Marathon. Details to follow.
We now have a break from dancing until the start of September so that our members can enjoy some family time and perhaps take holidays away from Adderbury. We will resume dancing on the first Wednesday in September, details to follow, and then have bookings on each of the first three Saturday afternoons in that month. We have sufficient numbers to put out strong teams for Stratton Audley Beer Festival, Wigginton Church Fete and Lake House, but any other members who have not yet committed would be most welcome to join us.
Our thanks to Claire Scott and the Fete organising committee for the opportunity to dance at Christopher Rawlings School, Simon Finch and his colleagues at the Elephant and Castle, Bloxham and to Svetlana for the lovely photo.
John Ekers