 At the point where Sweet Coppin and ourselves started to assemble it had been raining steadily for about an hour. A short walk from the seafront to the market square proved no drier. Following a shorter discussion under umbrellas and adjacent scaffolding, a decision was reached that unless we had a team who could dance either Bobbing Around or Over the Water to Charlie we should cancel. We didn't so we did!
Note: The photo above wasn't actually taken at Sidmouth - but I'm sure you get the gist! Graham Were you there?
Any Comments text or Photographs gratefully received Apparently, someone complained about the rough surface of the dancing area at Jim's Cider Barn last year! What was the reaction,3 loads of concrete later!!!! (I hinted that a sprung floor would have been better - next year!) What an evening, with more than 150 people turning out to watch TDMM dance and play. I was describing to a farming family the different traditions and was asked how long 'those guys had been dancing'? I quickly noted the six dancing, plus Graham and Tony playing and concluded that between the eight of them, there was in excess of 300 years combined involvement with the side. Having just completed my second year I can now appreciate why you have stuck together like glue. The evening progressed well with cider flowing, a brilliant supper presented and a prize draw with six chances to win - 4 of which were won by members of our side. The evening was vibrant, fun topped off by some fantastic summer weather. How proud I am to be a part of your side.
Additional Well guy's, I reckon we were a bit of a draw last week at Jim's shack in Aller. I have today received a donation of £545 to be donated towards Children's Hospice South West. I am sure you will join with me and applaud all that Jim and Mary did to make us and dozens of people welcome. I will bring the money with me tomorrow evening and pass to John Peach. I am truly humbled that Jim and Mary want to support such a worthy cause through us. Gerard  What a truly inspirational day - so English. I challenge anyone not to have been moved by the story of the Morris ceremony held on Friday evening where a side of women danced in front of the war memorial - 100 years on from when women of the village demonstrated their abilities to keep the Ilmington dances going while their men folk went to war.
Walking across the paddock at the end of the day, with sheep grazing and a muffled peel of bells ringing out from the church will remain with me for a very long time. Well done to the organisers, simply brilliant. Go on lads, add the photograph of Mr Grumpies in Grump Street. Gerard Oh all right then! Although I feel I should mention that there are many photos showing what a wonderful day we had as guests of Ilmington Morris Men - stand by! GMB For me, one of the best outings for a long time. Wonderful weather, a very friendly host side, a beautiful Cotswold village, a walking tour around some delightful houses and gardens and a wonderful free afternoon tea and cakes kindly provided by the host ladies. We all got on very well together, unlike some occasions when the parties stick to their own. The Red Lion was a 'proper' pub too, with a convivial landlord and decent food served promptly. We also camped on the playing fields for £5 per night! What more could one want? Tone Since we first visited Ilmington back in 1994 as part of TDMM's 21st Anniversary Cotswold Tour it's been my personal ambition to return again and I'm so pleased it happened as part of our 40th celebrations, although it could be said that 19 years is to long a gap (hang on? 19 years? Something doesn't add up - I'll explain later). But before I harp on about what a great day we had in Ilmington, bear with me while I reminisce about that weekend 19 years ago........... Graham Cold night and I forgot to bring money - so thanks Sutters for standing me a drink - I owe you. Oake had a good audience with a good NFJ involvement.
Fitzhead dancing on the hill with a new car behind the side whilst dancing was a challenge, yet as always in these villages, we were made extremely welcome. Gerard Were you there? Any further Comments or Photo's welcome. Where you there??
Any Comments and photographs gratefully received. Cider on beer, makes you go queer! Beer on cider does you no good either - as I found out, or was it the third sausage I ate in Muchelney!! These guys have had a rough winter, yet on a fine summers day, we brought smiles to their faces. Well done to you all - such fun. Horse and fart trip was well received, unless you sat at the front - Roger and Ben took the full force of too many oats!
Gerard Were you there?
Comments and photographs gratefully received. Dance up the Sun (Morris version)
‘Twas early one morning at the break of the day, The cocks they were crowing and a morrisman did say, Come arise my jolly fellows, arise with good will, Come and dance the sun up, at the top of this hill. When four o’clock came me boys, up we did rise, And off to Seven Sisters we merrily flies, With a revving of engines, a walk and a run, We are all jolly fellows that dance up the sun. When 5 o’clock came me boys, the rain it did start, So we started to dance and the clouds they did part, With a nip of Don’s whiskey, we found it was fun, For we are all jolly fellows that dance up the sun. When 6 o’clock came me boys, at breakfast we met, We had watched the sun rising, but were now soaking wet, It’s a magical moment when Summer Solstice she comes, We are all jolly fellows that dance up the sun. When later that day you all go off to work, And all of your colleagues think you’re a berk, Just remember that special morning when your day is done, For we are all jolly fellows that dance up the sun. So all you lazy Morrismen, where so ever you be, Come take this advice and be ruled by me, If you missed this year’s Sun-up, another will come, For we are all jolly fellows that dance up the sun. Squire Tim, Taunton Deane Morris Men 2014 Were you there?
Any comments and photographs gratefully received Were you there?
Any comments and photographs gratefully received Tonight we were involved in what was, for some of us the end result of being associated with Taunton Deane Morris for the last 40 years or so. Their 40th Anniversary at Halsway Manor included meeting lots of previous (old) members and friends. A Fresh Aire big band of Eileen, Mike, Jodie, Jim and guests, Ian and Edwin had a wonderful time. The dancers were numerous and enthusiastic. A night to remember for a very long time.
Fresh Aire. Were you there? Any other Comments and pictures gratefully received How many morris men can YOU get into a bus shelter? (and other matters) Beer Crocombe/Curry Mallet3/6/2014 The weather during the drive to Beer Crocombe didn't on the whole look very encouraging, but on arrival this feeling swiftly changed with the sight of locals "bearing gifts" in the shape of a bottle of cider and plastic glasses. We (mostly TDMM) spent the first 10 minutes or so huddled in the nearby bus shelter looking at the rain chatting to our prospective audience and sampling aforesaid cider until guilt (or cider) overcame us and we decided to try a dance. An umbrella for the musician's proved that you didn't mind water dripping down your back as long as your instruments were dry. The damp dancers might have another story. Oh and Ali left Mike behind.
A few miles later saw us at Curry Mallet's Bell Inn. While still damp and overcast the rain eased and we danced outside the pub for the definitive "one man and his dog" though not really sure whether the man actually turned up. The dog did though in the shape of Chip, TDMM's favourite bit of border. Just had a thought. Has anyone ever invited Chip to Border Day? I think Chip brought Sue, Jono, Kristy and Ali. Had a bit of a play and sing inside later to finish the night. Were you there? Any other additions gratefully received. The Squire's View
It is one of the delights in leading a Morris side that the Squire has the responsibility of leading the show and hopefully creating a suitably entertaining performance for the massed ranks (one man and his dog?) So we danced outside The George Inn at Middlezoy, handsomely refreshed by the landlord, in front of a very welcoming small crowd (two men, their wives and a few children and a dog). The chill wind blew down the street as our performance hotted up with a rendition of our Taunton tradition dance called "Lovely Joan". This dance has a haunting and beautiful tune (played on pipe and tabor by Mr Rabson) and is one of the most difficult in our repertoire and I fear we demonstrated this rather well to the audience. Now you would have thought, being in the dance, leading and calling the dance I would be sure of how well the dance has gone, but the curious thing about this is that though much of the dance you face out of the set, with your back to the other dancers. Morris men are an honest and fine bunch of chaps, so when I hear sniggering and tomfoolery happening behind me I fear the worst, but on questioning I get "no the dance was perfection itself Squire" as a retort. If only I had eyes in the back of my head! "I should have gone to Specsavers!" Squire Tim On Tuesday we danced out with Treacle, Dancers known for their clog, Each day of the year, Treacle Eaters appear, Taunton Deane compose an eclogue...! Tuesday tour, spot number 5, The Square, South Petherton.   The usual Shepherd pick up panic preceded a brisk drive to our dance site which was next to the phone box in the hamlet of Ham near Creech St Michael. Arriving spot on time (ish) we left the warmth of the car to be greeted by the type of sunny spring evening and cool breeze that only being near flatland and water could provide. We were also greeted by the more welcome of comments of "cor it's a bit brisk for May" and various replies such as "yes it is a bit".
Amazingly a small crowd/group had turned up to watch, including the one or two who will never come nearer than 50metres for fear of morris contamination. This sunny first spot (we danced in the shade) was cool for the musicians, and warmer for the dancers (something to do with movement) was well appreciated by the small but very friendly crowd/group who now appeared to be grouping to conserve heat. At the end of our display we were waved on our way hoping, we were told, that we would return next year. It was pointed out however that whoever had bought the house opposite the phone box and had spent a fortune doing it up, hadn't been told we would be!!! Our second spot involved negotiating a number of country lanes to the Rising Sun at Knapp. (it was noted that Dave Lawrence, who lives locally, went the main road way!). We proceeded with care, a low, but dazzling sunset in the rear view mirror and a number of bends and narrow lanes visible through the windscreen, we turned at last into the lane leading to the pub. The feeling that we'd made it was dispelled by the feeling we were on the wrong road. This was further dispelled by the sight of Ben Higg's mini reversing toward us at speed followed closely by a number of other "morris" cars also in reverse (this manoeuvre contained the straightest lines we'd had all night). This spot was also cool, (we danced the in the shade again, 'cause the sun had now set) for the musicians, and warmer for the dancers. It was well appreciated by the small friendly crowd/group including someone who strolled past in shorts which caused a few jaws to drop. Later in the bar the song session was preceded by food kindly provided by the landlord and was kicked off with Mikes rendition of "Chicken on a Raft". This was supplemented by an explanation of the chorus by a guy who used to be submariner or something. Further songs were sung which impressed some American visitors and we finally wended our way homewards, this time by the main road. Apparently there is a photograph of the evening somewhere, involving a group of morris men and a Joe Raucki sign board but I couldn't possibly comment. (to the tune of The Day we went to Bangor) Didn’t we have a lovely time the day we went to Welly,
The weather was good, the crowds all cheered, we were photographed with mayors, you know Roger bought cake and Simon bought jam and Mike sloped off to The Dolphin, Richard and Don had a punji battle and we all went on. Gerard was keen, the first to arrive, the day we went to Welly, Sutters and Luke were working the crowd, TDMM stickers all round you know. David and Tony kept their heads, midst one or two quirks in our dancing, Henry arrived in everyday gear, but danced Not for Joe JC checked our lines, and some were quite good, the day we went to Welly, Well done to Tim, in his first paid event, as squire he led us so well, you know. We will get our fee, with John Peach on the case, our prudent fiscal accounter, Gibby showed up, we gave her a badge and we all went home.
21st April - Easter Monday Tour - with Sweet Coppin Clog Dancers and West Somerset Morris Men21/4/2014  Well it was a fine morning as Jon, James and I cruised into the stately driveway of Halsway Manor, folk centre of the Southwest and place where Graham Barrett & Dick Musson branched out from West Somerset Morris Men many years ago - and so started the 40th Anniversary Easter Tour with 73 friends, musicians and dancers.  The dancing started and soon guests of the manor came out to enjoy the spectacle and enjoy some Simnel cake following the TDMM Cake Dance – a traditional dance for all of 6 days!  After dragging Sweet Coppin away from 'a quick cup of tea' the morris convoy was off to Halse, a regular dance spot for the Easter Tour. Total grid-lock was avoided by prearranged car parking admirably handled by Richard Shepherd but the road was soon blocked by villagers and dancers – and the sun still shone! The usual dance gremlin struck a few dancers and the Taunton Tradition took on some new variations!  With a thirst building we left Halse for the short drive to Norton Fitzwarren where our old boys had honed their skill many years ago. The Village Hall Committee had all been beavering away long before this day to provide a smooth dance surface, prepare and lay a two course banquet and a bar of epic proportions! Was it the smell of food, the unfamiliar weight of a Squires duties or the bag of new TDMM badges that caused Tim to veer off course in the Taunton Tradition? Only the crowd of six Norton worthies will know and we were soon to leave them for more of Cotleigh's finest and a meal with numerous toasts. With a heavy heart and waistline. and an offer for future catering by the NVHC team. we left and headed to Taunton.  The vision of morris was quick to draw a crowd of tired shoppers at the Market House and the sun helped. It was then away to the Taunton Museum courtyard and a place to dwell upon history as we danced the last few sets for those that supped on tea. I would like to thank everyone that helped me to organise this celebration tour and those in the NVHC and museum for their contributions to our well being. It was a day to remember.
Mike |
Blogging
|
RSS Feed
