Diary 2008 - Part 1

Mayday Eve, Lewannick

Instead of dancing up the dawn on Mayday, we celebrated Mayday Eve at one of our favourite pubs, the Archer Arms in Lewannick. Despite a finger-freezingly cold evening, the stalwarts of the village came out to watch us as they always do, and our hosts Linda and Peter made us as welcome as ever with food and their excellent beer (which is served straight from the barrel at cellar temperature......perfect!)

The Swan, Dawlish

The perfect morris pub, with good beer and a dancing area that could have been built for the purpose. Sadly an ill-timed shower turned it into a skidpan, and both sides slithered and slipped their way round, leading to some interesting variations in the dances! The mishaps culminated with a glass of beer being accidentally tipped over the dog. Poor Sam doesn't even like beer (he says could we make it cider next time).

It was nonetheless an excellent warm-up for the season,  a fine performance from Becky on her first dance out with us, and a good time was had by all. As usual, Cat and Mark  from Beltane laid on a wonderful spread for us afterwards...thanks, Cat and Mark.

Black Prince

Those who didn't know the processional tune at 11am in Millbrook certainly knew it by 4pm in Cawsand. A lovely sunny May Bank Holiday Monday spent in the company of several morris sides and lots of old friends (and some young ones!). Crowds of people turned out to watch the procession and the dancing, and it really felt like the start of summer.   

At 4pm the flowerboat was launched into the sea to carry away the winter. At that point the sun gave way to a heavy drizzle.....let's hope this was not an omen!

Lostfest, Lostwithiel

A one-day festival with music and dancing in the pubs and streets, all by top-quality local groups and bands (with which the Lostwithiel area is well-endowed), and all proceeds going to charity.

Not the easiest of stands, ourselves and Sunrise Morris battled with hot sun and the noise of the nearby funfair until a torrential thundery downpour left us running for the nearest pub (which was unfortunately not near enough to prevent us getting completely drenched). Eventually we emerged, only slightly damp by this time, and splashed our way through the rest of our set, then retired back to the Globe for a well-earned plate of hog roast and a free pint.  

Well done to Kim Guy for putting in lots of hard work to organise it all.

White Hart, Menheniot

We danced here as guests of Wreckers, who can always attract a crowd, which was just as well as we were, on this particular occasion, a bit thin on the ground.

A fine May evening drew a good audience, both sides put on a good show, and we only stopped dancing when the sausage and chips, kindly provided by the pub, started getting cold.

A good evening, and it was nice to meet up with some old (and new) friends.