WE MADE IT THROUGH TO BOXING DAY
Along with a million and one other people, most of the team members were suffering from the dreaded flu virus. As Boxing Day neared there was a shadow of a doubt hanging in he air as to whether we would have a full side or whether ‘Plan B’ would have to be put in place.
The day arrived, armed with clogs, garlands, sticks, slings and cough medicine we met up in the car park at the first dance spot. It was a glorious morning, slightly windy and not too cold, unlike previous years. We were all eager to swap greetings and news and happy to hear that our newest member, Lesley Wright, had become a proud grandparent since we saw her less than a week ago. Congratulations to Lesley and her new Grandson Samuel.
Hurrah, we had all made it !!!
Musicians in place, Harthill Morris started us off with their first dance, followed by Three Shires. It was quite noticeable that there were more onlookers than in previous years, which is always uplifting.
Having danced four spots each, we quickly gathered our things together and headed north for the Beehive, our traditional second spot. Again the car park was full of people eagerly awaiting our arrival, and quite a few more were waiting inside the lounge bars.
It wasn’t many minutes before Harthill Morris were lined up and ready to start, quickly followed by the ladies with their traditional Boxing Day dance "Grand Junction", which is danced to the music of Christmas carols. This is always a favourite with the crowds as the arm and sequence movements depict a train heading towards a cross roads junction. The music and the sound of the clogs just seem to complement one other.
Again there were more people than ever this year, hopefully an indication that Morris dancing is on the up. Perhaps a Beginners Workshop in our own village is called for ?
Ann Ellis