Our annual October celebration in memory of the Hobby Horse Festival has come around again! A team of eight dancers and two musicians danced in and around Banbury over the course of Saturday lunchtime providing entertainment to shoppers. We assembled at the White Horse before heading down to the Fine Lady statue, near to Banbury Cross. Having recited the Fine Lady poem, we started with ‘Sweet Jenny Jones’ and ‘Haste to the Wedding’. A crowd started to gather, so we decided to get everyone joining in with a ‘Shepherds’ Hey’ jig. We had a member of the public for all eight members of the team and we had great fun getting everyone to join in with our tradition.

Making our way to the foot of White Lion Walk, we discovered the best outdoor acoustics in Banbury: ‘Bluebells of Scotland’, ‘Shooting’ and ‘Black Joke’ echoed around the foot of the High Street and must have made for some very interesting background listening for the patrons of the ‘Good Game’ café. Our troupe passed through into the Market Place and brought a smile to the café and food market customers. In fact, I felt that we’d really warmed-up as we danced ‘Lads a Bunchum’, ‘Roast Beef of Old England’, ‘Stourton Wake’ and ‘Old Woman Tossed-up in a Blanket’. David led ‘Constant Billy’ to give me a much needed break, and we concluded with everyone dancing ‘Princess Royal’ and ‘Brighton Camp’. After wandering up Parsons Street we made our last stop outside the Reindeer, and ordered drinks before dancing three more dances – including ‘Postman’s Knock’ a tribute to the passing postman we invited to join our group photo outside the White Horse.

Thank you to Donald and Malcolm for playing so well, and to all our dancers. It’s great dancing in my home town and it’s a joy to visit so many different parts of the town to provide some fun and entertainment.

Ryan