Our third May dance out in as many days, found us in the picturesque South Warwickshire Village of Preston on Stour. This was a wonderful, traditional May Day in the very best of senses.
We danced The May Queen elect, all the way from The Village Hall to The Village Green and on to her throne where she received her floral crown. Surrounded by her handmaidens, flag bearers, Adderbury Village Morris Dancers and assembled villagers, she became The Queen of the May as the crowd cheered, applauded and cried ‘all hail The Queen of the May.’ That was when the May revels began…
Preston-on-Stour complete with flags and the May Queen’s throne
The Preston on Stour May Song was sung to our tune ‘The Landlord’. We danced a selection of Adderbury Village Morris Dances by the massive Maypole. We coaxed the villagers to join us in Shepherd’s Hey. Games and races were organised for the children. We drank tea and ate lots of cake. We had our photographs taken and then danced again, finishing with another mass Shepherd’s Hey and of course Brighton Camp.
Then the tug o war. Preston v The Rest of the World….again.
What a wonderful afternoon. Thankyou Preston on Stour, see you next year. ‘All hail the Queen of the May’.
As AVMM seem to be called upon to perform at an increasing number of village fetes about this time of year, I got to thinking how all these peculiarly English festivals seem to have certain factors in common: sunshine perhaps, ice creams and marquees and gazebos abound. However, all fetes are of differing sizes and reflect the local communities whose hard work make such events happen. This was the first time our side had danced at Finmere. We found ourselves in a pleasant green space with views of the local church, for which funds were being raised. There were the usual tombolas and stalls selling flowers and vegetables, local crafts and second hand books. At the extremities one could see tractors, ancient and modern, some beautiful classic and vintage cars and there were pony rides for small children.
Finmere Fete team photo
Musicians Donald and Malcolm led our six dancers into the main arena at the prescribed time. AVMM waited in the warm sunshine while a pair of girls finished singing a selection of songs from Disney films of the early part of the century and then the announcer did what announcers do and we were on. As usual we performed a selection of our dances expertly chosen by Squire Ryan appropriate to the age and experience of the team and the dancing surface. I think horse racing fans would have described the ground as “good to hard”. After our inevitable audience participation dance was judged a success: Lots of smiling faces, no injuries, over 20 participants of all ages from grandparents to toddlers and only one crying infant, soon appeased with an ice lolly, we concluded our set with a finale consisting of Bluebells, Washing Day and Brighton Camp before yielding the arena to The Dog Show and later a Circus Skills Workshop. At this point some of us decided that dancing was rather thirsty work and took advantage of the beer tent. Rebellion Brewery IPA and Saxby cider, rather than gassy lager, were the preferred choices of our discerning drinkers. Others opted for the café or the burger bar. Each to their own.
Tomorrow we have another fete at Preston-on-Stour.
The May Bank Holiday Weekend is always a fun time in The Morris World.
We commenced the festivities with a May Wedding at the Warwickshire, Church Farm Brewery. A wedding in a brewery !….what could possibly go wrong?
Well we didn’t perform our most popular dance.. the drinking jig. Thankfully we were trying to set a good example for the newly weds so we concentrated on the dancing and left the excessive drinking to the guests. Those guests were clearly enjoying the local produce and joined us for, not one but two, mass Shepherd’s Heys. Great fun was had by all.
We played an hour long set of our greatest hits, featuring ‘Haste to the Wedding’ of course and culminating in our grand farewell dance ‘Brighton Camp.’
This time however ‘ the girl I left behind me’ was the bride ‘riding’ a Morris horse to everyone’s delight.
A glorious day of sunshine in Adderbury for our Day of Dance started out in St Mary’s Churchyard, with our traditional ceremony of honouring Charlie Coleman – the last surviving dancer from the early 20th Century pre war side. Chris Garrett gave a reading of the poem Adderbury Sunrise, and Donald McCombie led us in the Day of Dance song, which we’ve now been singing for 15 years, after Chris asked Donald to write a song to celebrate the day. Charlie’s son Mike poured the first Hooky of the day for Charlie, and we made our way round to Church Lane to dance Sweet Jenny Jones with three sets of dancers.
Adderbury Day of Dance 2026 a happy day of dancing in the sunshine!
Triple sets were a common occurrence throughout the day, with David Snell and Iain Wilkinson doing an excellent job of leading third sets alongside myself and John Ekers. Our quantity of dancers was a brilliant sight for me as Squire, and our wonderful audiences throughout the day.
Before making our way to the Streams, we paused in the Churchyard to pay our respects to Janet Blunt and Tim Radford. Lady of the Manor, Janet Blunt collected manuscripts of folk songs, carols and dances from the village, which were an integral information source in the revival of the Morris tradition in Adderbury during the 1970s. Tim Radford was one of those revivalists in the 1970s, who played a major part in shaping the Morris tradition we know today. Happy Man was sung by our team and dedicated to both these Morris contributors.
After dancing by the Streams and making the most of the wonderful weather, we made our way to Colin Butler Green, and importantly Bryan Sheppard’s memorial handkerchief tree. Bryan worked with Tim Radford and others from the village to form the original Adderbury revival side, which shortly afterwards led to the emergence of AMM and AVMM as distinct traditions. Each year, we honour Bryan’s memory and work by pouring him a drop of Hooky. Jim Plester, one of our musicians and also a founder member gave Bryan a much needed drink on this beautiful warm day, and expressed the view that Bryan would be delighted to know the village tradition was still going strong.
Moving back down the village, we arrived outside Charlie Coleman’s former residence at Rose Cottage, and 16 dancers performed Princess Royal in four sets along the street as a tribute to the tradition Charlie passed down. We continued down through the village to the Red Lion, and our first performance of Black Joke. As experienced dancers know, this is a demanding part of our repertoire requiring considerable fitness, stamina and the ability to execute 72 capers during the dance. Fortunately we are blessed with talented younger recruits and were fielding six dancers of pre university age in this dance spread between our two sets. Although Elijah, Alfie and Freddy, who wanted to join in every dance, performed splendidly, it was the taller Theo, Hector and Dylan who caught the eye with the height and skill of their capering and which drew approving comments from many knowledgeable onlookers.
Later, outside the Coach and Horses, four pairs took on Jockey to the Fair, and showed impressive double stepping, half capering and “Skeggies” for the pub patrons. Our second audience participation Shepherds’ Hey also took place, with just as many participants (roughly 40) as for our first outside the Red Lion. People of all ages, including family, friends and brave volunteers, made for a fantastic and inclusive experience for all. We finished for the morning by dancing Brighton Camp with 22 dancers, and then made our way on to The Bell.
In a break from recent tradition we took lunch at The Bell, where our wonderful Landlords, Rhys and Michelle, provided us with a most excellent feast in their beautifully cool and spacious restaurant. In order to thank them for their superb food and ales, we concluded our lunch break with a hearty rendition of “Come Landlord the Flowing Bowl”. This involved all dancers and musicians, with Raf and Donald singing two verses apiece. Rhys and Michelle were delighted to enjoy this tribute to their first rate stewardship of what is the jewel in the crown of the Hook Norton stable.
Their participation didn’t end there though, as they, and members of Sharp & Blunt and one member of Adderbury Morris joined in our traditional Drinking Jig, watched over by the Hook Norton Shire Horses and a huge crowd. The audience cheered and jeered as appropriate, as pairs of drinking dancers tried to outdo each other in downing their libations. For the second year in a row, Michelle out-drank Rhys and one member of our side was beaten by his grandson.
Dancing continued including a third Shepherds’ Hey, with Sharp & Blunt and more audience members joining us. A long line of dancers stretched all the way to the road closure barrier at the end of the street, with everyone dancing foot up, cross over and foot down in near perfect harmony.
The day was coming to a close, and the time for an important tribute had arrived. All sides had been practicing the Adderbury Morris Men’s version of Happy Man, which was to be danced together in honour of Tim Radford and his work with the Morris in Adderbury. Two long sets performed the dance, synchronised together as three teams united for this one special dance, unique to the village of Adderbury.
After many more dances, Adderbury Village Morris Men ended our day by performing one last Brighton Camp, and later a four man Jockey to the Fair. For this final AVMM dance, Chris Leslie joined Donald and once again, it was two of our younger dancers that caught the eye with their competitive capering.
I couldn’t have asked for more from our side who had practised hard since February and who danced fantastically well throughout the day. All members of the side came together and put on an excellent show.
Thank you to our dancers, the musicians, the organising committee, the parish council, the stewards, and the pubs for providing refreshments. The large number of empty casks seen in the garden of The Bell on Sunday suggested that this pub had certainly reaped the rewards of a glorious day.
We appreciate all the support we received on the day and on our social media after the event, and it’s what makes dancing so rewarding. The joy of Morris dancing is a pleasure to share. We have plenty of events coming up, so keep an eye on our Facebook page and website for more photos and reports in the coming weeks!!
Ryan (Squire)
Editor’s note: On behalf of the entire side, I should like to thank Squire Ryan and Bagman John for all they did to prepare us for the Day of Dance. We are looking forward to a busy dancing schedule and thanks are due to John for coordinating this. I should also like to thank those who regularly provide content and photos for our website and FB page, in particular, Svetlana, Yana, Donald and Mark.
On the afternoon of 23rd April I stood in an Orchard in Stratford upon Avon and remarked to my friends Richard and John: ‘ When shall we three meet again, in thunder, lightning or in rain ‘?
Their response: ‘We shall meet on Shakespeare’s 462nd birthday, at Ann Hathaway’s Cottage and take part in a tree planting ceremony of a very special Bramley Apple tree. We shall laugh, dance and sing’
And so we did, in the company of The Lady Mayor of Stratford upon Avon, a member of the famous Bramley family, artists, academics and tree lovers from Warwickshire to Japan. We processed through the orchard, sang a wassail, planted the tree, performed a couple of two man jigs then taught the crowd The Shepherds Hey.
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, Stratford-upon-Avon, celebrating William Shakespeare’s 462nd birthday. Picture, Donald, John, Richard, The Mayor, Bramley family representative and a celebrated artist.
What else would you do for Shakespeare’s birthday? It was after all ‘much about nothing.’
I always find that there is a rather unique ambience to the Boxing Day dance out; we have all enjoyed our Christmas gatherings the day before, and there is a lovely warm feeling as we set aside time to meet together and share a little seasonal spirit amongst our merry band.
Today the Sun shone and, although chilly, we soon warmed up with lots of dances outside the coach and horses in Adderbury. We had a veritable orchestra accompanying us, featuring a set of English pipes, tin whistle, two fiddles, a hurdy-gurdy, and a visiting musician from Letchworth Morris, Alan, who knew the Adderbury tunes and played along with gusto on his concertina.
We were graced by a very receptive audience, many of whom joined in with the community Shepherds Hey that has now become a standard of our set. It always amazes me how quickly the volunteers from the audience pick up the various movements of this dance. I assured some sceptical audience members that they would be smiling much more if they joined us than if they didn’t, and they agreed afterwards that it was the highlight of their Christmas!
Boxing Day community Shepherds Hey
It has been another great year of dancing, and our side seems to go on from strength to strength, through the dedication and enthusiasm from the more experienced members, the younger members who are learning the ropes, the increasingly diverse band of musicians, and the admirable relentless positive energy of our Squire Ryan and Bagman John.
Here’s to a wonderful 2026. Happy New Year everybody!
Adderbury Village Morris performed The Story of The Dancer at Preston on Stour Village Hall on 10th December to mark International Human Rights Day. Thanks to all at Preston on Stour for inviting us to perform this unique piece of folk storytelling with Morris Dancing.
It tells the story of a Morris dancer who survived the trenches of WW1 and was present at the 1914 Christmas Truce, when singing briefly stopped the war. The story was punctuated by our dances…Happy Man, Constant Billy, Shepherds Hey, Shooting, Princess Royal, Postman’s Knock, Staunton Wake and Brighton Camp.
Communal singing of carols in German, English and Latin reflected the sequence of songs of Christmas Day in the trenches in 1914. The story continues to show how cultures and peoples have much in common in spite of the divisions of war. It also shows how The Morris tradition was revived in the 1970s and still flourishes to this day.
After a short break for mince pies there was an interesting Q and A session and a communal Shepherds Hey.
Our audience Shepherds Hey partners, dancers and musicians
May the singing and dancing go ever on.
Donald
Spike Milligan’s view of trench warfare – a solemn reminder of all those lost in the First World War
What a joyful occasion this was! With a full band of musicians, comprising of a brace of fiddles, a set of bagpipes, hurdy gurdy, button accordion and harmonica plus two sets of six dancers, Adderbury Village Morris Men entertained a large crowd at this lovely event. We danced for a full hour with hardly an error despite the challenge posed by the narrow aisle in St Mary’s Church. The announcer was effusive in her praise of our efforts and complimented us for our encouragement and inclusion of younger dancers in the side. Although at least one vain sexagenarian in the side thought that she was talking about him, I assumed she meant Alfie, Hector and Dylan, who all danced well and never stopped smiling throughout our full repertoire of dances. As ever we attracted a large number of volunteers for our audience participation dance and the Recruiting Officer was delighted to meet some friends of Dime’s, whom he hopes to welcome to the side in due course. I should add that we also received plenty of compliments for our beautifully decorated Christmas tree too.
Our annual St Mary’s Adderbury Christmas tree festival performance
Should anyone reading this be interested in joining the side or in booking us for future community events please get in touch. Details can be found on the website.
John writes: Our thanks to the dancers, friends and family who met on Thursday 4th December to put the finishing touches to our Christmas tree (St Mary’s Adderbury, annual Christmas tree festival). As well as a magnificent woollen model of a Morris Man, knitted by Musician Sue last year, our decorations were enhanced by a wonderful set of dancers and musicians in AVMM kit, made by Svetlana out of salt dough and beautifully painted to represent individuals in the side. Whilst Musician Donald might be easy to identify, see if you can spot which model shows the Squire or the other quirky characters which make up the team as it comes to the end of the 50th anniversary of the revival side which keeps the tradition of village dances and songs faithfully recorded by Janet Blunt alive for future generations to enjoy.
The AVMM Christmas tree 2025 – Our thanks to Sarah for the photo
Members and supporters are encouraged to come along to the festival over the next few days (where you can vote for our tree!). We are dancing at the St Mary’s, festival between 12.30 and 1.15pm on Saturday 6th December.
Additionally, our forthcoming events are:
‘The Story of the Dancer’ (Donald’s powerful story about the World War I Christmas truce) Wed 10th December, Preston on Stour Village Hall, Warwickshire 7.30pm
Boxing Day Dance Out Adderbury, Meet at The Coach and Horses at 12.15pm Friday, 26th December. Our thanks to Sarah for the lovely photo of our tree!
Dancing the Adderbury tradition as recorded by Janet Blunt
