MAY 2011

<body> MAY DANCING TOUR 2011 And before we can say ‘Jack Robinson’ May day comes around and kicks you up the butt! Time to blow the dust off our garlands, get out the red tights and get ourselves shipshape for the first tour of the dance out season. Along with Harthill Morris, we made our way by coach to Sherwood Forest. Here Robin Hood and his men were there to meet us. Surrounded by their primative huts, the women were busy baking on wooden tables and cooking on open fires, whilst the men of Sherwood were making arrowheads on anvils and carving arrows from fallen branches. Smoke bellowed into the air as Three Shires lined up for Whitby Shindig, the first dance of the day, followed by Harthill Morris and their merry men. Folk lore was brought into the 21st Century as mobile phones were taken out of pockets and handbags whereupon photos and videos were taken. Lunch time approached and we headed for the small village of Farnsfield where we had pre-booked our lunches. We had a tight schedule to adhere to, alas leaving us no time for dancing here afterwards. Next on to Papplewick Pumping Station where the teams lined up at the entrance gates ready to process down the long drive, escorting the new and the retiring May Queens. Our Chairman was asked to do the honour of crowning this years Queen, followed by dancing from both teams. Three Shires performed their new dance ‘Squires Folly’, aptly named as our Squire Margaret Roper painstakingly created this. Hopefully we did her proud! Our final dance spot of the day was Southwell Workhouse, now owned by the National Trust. Although the audience was not as great in number as expected, both teams was invited to a tour of the building, albeit rushed, during the break between the two dance spots. Those who chose not to do so enjoyed a welcome cup of coffee in the staff room, thanks to the members on duty that day. Another May Day dance out where the weather was hot, dry but this year very windy. We are now looking forward to the JMO on local turf! Write up by Ann Ellis PRO Photo's John Rankin </body>