After the amazing Devil's Dyke Ring Meeting No 340, reported in Capers No 6, talk and thoughts turned to the Britannia Coconut Dancers Easter Saturday event, with some trepidation, given the problems of marshalling which had been well aired in the national press. However, in the nick of time, their Bagman 'phoned me to let me know that a couple of local councillors had announced that they would pay for official marshals. On the Friday, I drove the 300 or so miles up from South Devon to Bacup, to be met at the Crown pub by Joe and friends, where I was royally fed and watered, before being shown where I was staying, in one of the younger lad’s homes.
Saturday dawned clear and bright, and up on the moor, outside the long closed Travellers Rest pub -I'm sure there was hoar frost on hip flasks as they were passed around. The day started on time at 09.00 to a small, but select audience – well actually more stewards and marshals (16 in number) than audience, but that would change. A “Nut” dance is followed by the processional, which goes at a fair old lick off down the A671, Rochdale to Bacup Road. Two teams take part, one on the left side of the road, the other on the right, and when one team is doing a “Nut” dance, the other is processing. Music is provided by the Stacksteads Silver Band, and as the day brightened and warmed up, the Nutters clattered along the road, diverting here and there to dance a Garland dance or two amongst the sparse housing and denser new estates, before resuming their rapid progress. All the while, the size of the audience grew, until it was a crowd; happy smiling faces everywhere. Friends from the Morris of course, one being Melanie Barber, chair of the Fed, and her partner, who had both come to support the Nutters, and we chatted as we followed the procession. Old Folks homes came and went; coffee and cakes at the Fire Station, where dances were performed to an enthusiastic crowd; a show in the Royal Court Theatre and visits to pubs, the George & Dragon, New Inn, Con Club and others, allowed traffic to pass, before the procession reached the centre of Bacup, where a huge crowd had assembled and the Nutters were clapped and cheered to the echo. A fine lunch was provided at one hostelry (I forget which one!), after which things continued into the afternoon.
So what about the marshals? Well, it was all very correctly and safely done with a vehicle upfront and to the rear and “Road Closed” signs. However, it was done with little understanding of the Morris and the needs of the Nutters in particular. For what it is worth, I think traffic was held up quite unnecessarily; for example, when the Nutters were dancing well off the road, no attempt was made to allow one carriageway to be used, and public transport was held up, with no priority given to it. There were too many marshals; I counted 16 and most had nothing to do, but it was safe! In my opinion, and I am not a specialist, the whole day could have been undertaken safely with 4 or 5 marshals, signs, and no vehicles. Still, I had a brilliant day out, the weather was kind and the folk very hospitable, long may it continue – thanks again guys!
Well, that was Easter Saturday taken care of, and I still had to get home to be available to go on Trigg MM's Easter Monday Tour of Bodmin, the Moor and surrounding area. This was another day blessed with fine weather, and the coach with everyone on board left Bodmin at 09.30 sharp (well, more or less). The first dance spot was Launceston, where the dancers were greeted by the Town Crier, resplendent in his uniform and bell in hand. This tour had been choreographed by Trigger the Morris Horse, so there was lots of opportunity for hay and water, and mostly we danced outside pubs; all good, with an especial mention of the lunch stop at the amazing Blisland Inn. So good I have been back again! Tea with hot cross buns was taken at Lanhydrock House, courtesy of the National Trust staff. We finished the tour by dancing in Bodmin, with no audience, save a few bored teenagers. Thanks guys, great day out!
The following Friday found me driving back up the M5/M6 to Lancashire to stay with the Bradley's, as next day was Horwich Prize Medal's DoD. Not just fine weather on the Saturday, it was positively hot, and the parade got a good send off by the mayor of Horwich, from the assembly point in the pub car park. Everything was fairly low-key, and we were warmly greeted everywhere by friendly faces. The marshalling, and the parading around Horwich was controlled very simply by 3 marshals, much as it has been for years I would guess. Of course this was a feast of North West Morris, broken only by the Nutters strutting their stuff; so no opportunity for me to dance, but I had a great day anyway. One minor hiccup was that someone in clogs stood on my camera, which quite spoilt it! Unfortunately, the date had clashed with Chester MM DoD, which was a real pity, as I feel Mens’ North West needs all the support it can get, and on a personal note, I would have liked to have gone to both! Mv thanks to Horwich Prize Medal and the sides out with them – they made me most welcome. The fine weather held up all day but produced a huge thunderstorm on my way home. On a personal note, I was able to take a small pilgrimage to the site of Horwich loco works; like many other such works around the country, now largely just a memory.
Despite the magical weather over Easter and in April generally, May Day promised to be wet in South Devon, and it didn't disappoint. Totnes castle, in the care of English Heritage, is a truly magical place at dawn on a fine day to welcome in the summer, but not in the wet. It started to rain at what passed for dawn as dancing started, and continued in that gentle, soft but steady way so well known to those of us who live in the western edges of our islands. Despite the weather, a hard core of 32 adults, 6 children and 2 dogs turned out to see us, and contributed £40 towards the £75 English Heritage charge us to dance on May Day Morning – well done them! No ITV cameras this year, but still a “fat boy” breakfast to enjoy in the quite wonderful Station Café in the old and now listed Grade 2 signal box on Totnes station. We occupied every seat and table and gave the café a welcome boost in income, much needed by the long closure of the main line to Exeter and London at Dawlish, due to winter storm damage.
Two days later and DMM were off to spend Saturday at Bovey Tracy Folk Festival. This event started around the millennium and has become a firm favourite with Morris sides from around the country, helped by free camping and friendly pubs. As with most Folk Festivals, sides attending are rarely from the Ring, although, with Dartington and Plymouth, this year was perhaps an exception. Lots of sides from the Fed and Open were there (no, not all Border!), and whilst mixed Border isn't really my cup of tea, we met and danced with a side called Steam Punk Morris from South London, who had amazing costumes, a great band, danced with style and were great fun too. I keep being reminded that we don't have all the answers when it comes to the survival of our hobby! It was the first outing of the Dartington Manx Scallop Dancers in full kit, and the dances were well received by the audience. I appreciate some may feel about the scallop much as I do about mixed (screaming) Border, but we enjoy doing it, and those taking part were ceremoniously awarded the Order of the Golden Cockle by past squire of the Morris Ring, one Tim Sercombe!
The following weekend was the long awaited JMO DoD in Cambridge, hosted in their 90th year by Cambridge MM. I was pleased to be supported there by DMM, and we travelled up on the Friday. The forecast for the Saturday had been a bit poor, and it didn't bode well, for as I walked to the first spot, it was raining hard! However, despite this unpromising start and the poor forecast, it brightened up and, in the main, the rain kept away and it remained fine, but with a strong wind for the whole day. There were an amazing 66 sides booked to take part and, on the whole, the expectations of most were satisfied. A few found themselves dancing in pub-free, audience-free zones; whilst a few others faced “criticism” from the professional beggars of the city, otherwise known as buskers. No doubt the city code on busking (yep, they have one!) was a factor which constrained choice of dance spots, but my personal experience was somewhat mixed. However, the largely unscripted finale on Parker's Piece was a huge success, with sides rushing to put on their “show” dances. I was heartened by the large numbers of younger people involved, and the good humour and friendly rivalry shown during the day. Well done CMM, you had a seriously hard task, which you discharged to your and the Ring's credit, and produced the most disciplined and focussed collecting I have seen on a JMO DoD! The plaudits from officers and members of the Ring, the Fed and the Open were well deserved. If anyone feels they can contribute to “a lessons learned” maybe they will email me direct? I am considering producing some guidance for future events, so, please do get in touch.
I missed the Midlands JMO at Warwick hosted by Shakespeare MM the following weekend, due to a family event, but understand it was a success.
For me, the summer only really begins at the Thaxted Ring Meeting, this year being their 81st and the Ring's 341st! It may appear to most that someone in Essex just cranks a handle and it all happens, including the good weather, but rest assured, it may be done to a formulae, but it takes a lot of hard work from the Bagman, Squire and others to make the weekend a success. It is a pity that not every side in the Ring can experience the utter magic of the Horn Dance processing down the main street in the gathering gloom, to the sound of the fiddle. This year we had an interruption – thankfully just before the dancers appeared – when the local fire engine rushed through the street scattering people left and right. We learnt later that some young miscreants had started a fire on the sports field; they would have been better off and having more fun if they had been dancing in Thaxted kit! Entertainment went on quite late in the two surviving pubs, yet somehow we all surfaced next morning to parade to church. For those who attended, the incumbent reverend dubbed it the “Fire Engine Ring Meeting”; quite appropriate! East Surrey MM danced in the church and in a moving ceremony, a window was dedicated to BFB Steve Adamson, in the presence of his sister and brother. My thanks to Squire Ray Page, meeting Bagman Ian Anderson, and the Thaxted MM for another great weekend. My abiding memory will be the display dances by some young men and boys, brought together by the hard work and inspiration of Mike Stevens, Eastern Area Rep. They danced as a scratch side, in their own kit, with enthusiasm and pride and were quite exceptional. Let us hope the friendships made last a lifetime.
The other side of which I am a full member is Grand Union Morris, but I don't get to dance with them too often these days. However, Saturday 21st June would be different, as I had arranged to join them in Abingdon for The Mayor of Ock Street malarkey organised by Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers. I took the precaution of getting myself by train to Didcot, there to be picked up by one of the GUM men. All went well, and the day started off in glorious weather, which we had somehow come to expect in the summer of 2014! The first dancing was in Bath Street, and from there to the Station Yard (no railway of course these days); onto the Market Place, where we were joined by the Mayor of Abingdon and her consort, another lady. Both, along with some passers-by, were persuaded to join in the dancing, before we took ourselves off to a local hostelry for lunch. The GUM bagman (no names) had neglected to order my lunch – yet it was he who had asked me to join them. Never mind, I found company elsewhere! After lunch, it was to County Hall, the Brewery Tap, White Horse/Cross Keys and finally back to the Market Place. Somewhere along the way there was an election, and Roger Cox (he of cake and sword) the reigning mayor was defeated by Harry Knight, who was enthroned and carried shoulder high to some pub or other. Sorry, it gets a bit hazy around now! Anyway, my thanks to GUM for having me to dance with them again, and of course to Abingdon TMD.
I took a bit of time off from Ring matters in July and August to pursue my own agenda with DMM in preparation for our Ring Meeting, and Dartmouth Town Council business, but most importantly of all, to do my day steam loco driving and firing on the Dart Valley Railway. It was a great day out, a birthday present from my mum-in-law, and keeping me company “on the cushions” was PSOTMR Tim Sercombe and Eva his much better half. This summer I also managed 3 air shows, just to keep my eye in so to speak, and two regattas. All, of course leading up to Saddleworth Rushcart!!!
There was a point on the upward journey from South Devon in the Minibus, when some Dartington Morris Men wondered whether we would ever get to Uppermill! An almost 12 hour journey on the Friday which took us off motorway first at Weston-Super-Mare to avoid an accident and again at Worcester due to road works and press of traffic. We were advised about congestion, with helpful text reports from one of our number who travelled independently and was stuck on the M5. Our diversion was at least scenically very acceptable as we approached Buxton, via Stone and Leek. We enjoyed local Pie (without mushy peas) at Stalybridge Railway Station before reaching our destination at 9.45p.m. As ‘late arrivals’, our accommodation in the small Church was both limited and basic, with me and Tim squeezing into what appeared to be an office/storage room nearby. Still, we got set up and went down the pub!
Dartington had several who had not attended Rushcart before, as I guess other sides did too. For those it was an amazing experience with all having the opportunity to pull the Cart from the start, at the ‘Commercial’, to Greenfield, and back and after lunch to Delph and Dobcross, before returning to Uppermill. Dancing opportunities were limited with 26 Sides taking part, but DMM was able to introduce ‘Filkins’ to the uninitiated, and it created much interest. I confess that my feet were killing me by the end of the day – I don't want to imagine what clogs on all the time would have produced!
Following an extremely good Curry on Saturday evening, a good night’s sleep, and a hearty “fat boy” breakfast, I packed up early on Sunday morning and headed for St. Chad’s Church at the top of the hill to chat to Duncan the cleric taking the Service, and to await the Cart on its final journey. DMM took the opportunity to entertain the gathering crowd with a quick ‘Scallop Rehearsal’. Then the Cart arrived and bundles of rushes were removed for spreading during the Church Service. Quite a large number of us enjoyed the excellent Service, with the ceremonial spreading of fresh rushes on the floor, before joining the ever increasing audience outside, who were sat out in the glorious sunshine. I can't remember if all 26 sides performed, but many chose to perform two dances instead of the one programmed. Thus, the individual displays took from 12.15, to almost 4.00p.m. when the Britannia Coco-nut Dancers from Bacup, complete with a full Silver Band, came last in the programme and ‘topped the bill’. The big smile on Squire's Fool Roger Comley’s face said it all as proceedings outside the church drew to a close.
I know there was Wrestling, and Gurning to follow at the Cross Keys, but I took my leave of Saddleworth's 40th anniversary Rushcart weekend; the first one as a Ring Meeting. My thanks go to Squire of Saddleworth Richard Hankinson, to Ed Worral, all the Lads and their army of helpers, for a truly memorable weekend. I am proud to have played a small part in making this one a Meeting of Morris Ring Sides. I know the good weather helped, but I sincerely hope this showcase for Mens’ Morris, and North West in particular, continues as a Ring event for many years; a counterbalance to Thaxted, and as firmly planted in the Morris calendar.
With another Rushcart over, my tenure as Squire drew rapidly to a close. I can hardly believe that the 2 years has rushed past so quickly. Plenty of food for thought on the long journey back to Devon. On the Tuesday it was back to reality with a bang, as over the Saddleworth weekend, I had received an email informing me that the caterers that had been engaged for the Dartington Ring meeting in 2 weeks, and with whom we had been talking for over 18 months, had been replaced, by school caterers from nearby Kingsbridge. Was all the work we had done on menus and catering, and the deposit we had already paid now lost? On the Tuesday, I found that Dartmouth Academy had been amalgamated with the Community College in Kingsbridge, and all the business and catering staff at Dartmouth, some 24 people, had been sacked; everyone with whom we had planned had gone the previous Friday, or were going within the next few days! We did what we could, but it was never going to be easy, and probably not as good!
The first test came with the beer delivery on Wednesday 3rd September; the day the children went back; beer all went well, but only half of the car park had been completed. On Friday, with fingers crossed, and the first arrivals due at 6pm, we were given access to the school, as the children left – car park still unfinished, but the caterers were working hard, and the mini-buses were waiting for us! The Principal walked round with me and we agreed emergency parking arrangements. Not due till 6, people started to turn up before 5, just as we had cleared the classrooms and put names on the doors! Most arrived between 6 and 7.30 and once we had fed people, they were encouraged to visit several pubs in Dartmouth, a short mini-bus ride away, and rumour has it that at least one pub ran out of beer! Weather dawned a bit overcast, but dry on Saturday and the tours left starting at 09.30; two tours going across the ferry to Torbay and the other two to Totnes and the South Hams. Dancing in Brixham and Paignton was to reasonable crowds. In Totnes, a Gay Pride march had caused many people to stay away from the town, but dancing on the Plains was popular. Lunch was taken by each tour in a pub, and generally the food was good it seems, with the exception of the pub visited by the Tour of Tours, where it was disappointing – just my luck! All the tours met at Steamer Quay, Totnes, for the journey down river to Dartmouth. With 177 of us on the boat, plus a large number of tourists, the 250 seats rapidly filled up; we had been promised the 350 seater, but that had engine problems that morning and was securely tied up in Dartmouth awaiting rectification. It was cramped, but we managed; some listened to the commentary, some had a cup of tea, or a beer, and many had a nap in the sunshine! Back at Dartmouth, some got on the first coach, whilst others waited outside the Tourist Information Centre and admired the Newcomen engine, with a beer in their hands. It took just over 30 minutes to get everyone back for the feast.
There would be 187 sitting down for the feast; the top table comprised Dartington's 4 official guests, together with the 4 Ring Officers, 8 Past Squires and Squire of Dartington, Ken Hudson. Guests were received on the restaurant balcony, with the view of Dartmouth and the River Dart. Grace was said by Father Will Hazlewood, and the food and fun commenced. Local Bays beer was served from 2 gallon watering cans; making sure no one was short of beer at all. Between the main course and dessert, several songs were called for and duly sung; dessert was a huge ice-cream sundae, and whilst it was being eaten, speeches were made. After eating, tables were cleared away and singing and dancing commenced. Fr Will and Cdr Rob Dunn from Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) took little encouragement to join in the dancing, both Deputy Mayors, being a little more cautious. It is assumed that everyone managed to get to bed, as at breakfast, the dining room had been restored to its normal state!
Three options were on the table for Sunday morning: tours of BRNC, led by our guest of last night Rob Dunn and his First lieutenant, a walking tour of Dartmouth, and a church service in St Saviour's church, all followed by massed display of dancing by the Bandstand. I can only report the church service, led by Fr Will, during which time Dartington danced, and during the sermon, gave a short lesson, to those who would, on how to do Shepherds Hey. At the end of the service, the staffs of office were blessed and sprinkled with Holy Water – a novel experience for me! After church, everyone met up near the Bandstand, where those that had done the tours were already entertaining the quite considerable crowd. Together with the Squire Elect, I announced commencement of the display with a massed dance. This was followed by me dancing out, Adam dancing in, the hand-over of the Squire's staff of office and show dances from every side that would. Before and during the display, Dartington ladies opened the tea hut for the sale of beverages, cakes and sandwiches, and around 13.00 pasties and water arrived for the dancers. The display was blessed with quite amazing weather; almost too hot for early September. All too soon, sides began to leave, and around 13.30 we closed the massed display with a quite massive Bonny Green. Farewells were said, sides were bussed to the Academy to collect their transport, and the clearing up began. All the hard work had been justified; the weekend came together and I had quite a send off to end my term of office. My warmest thanks go to my own side Dartington, who have supported me magnificently during my term, and produced a truly memorable Ring Meeting.
It had been quite a journey from Hartley in September 2012, via Adelaide and Copenhagen, to Dartmouth, my home town, two years later. During that time, winter, spring and summer, I have enjoyed wonderful weather for all the Ring, JMO and other functions I have attended, with the single exception of Dolphin Ring Meeting in July 2013, where it poured down! I have been fully supported by the Ring Bagman and Treasurer; well advised by the Advisory Council and elected representatives. It will be for posterity to judge my squireship, throughout which my watchword has been fellowship and consolidation. I have introduced one new side, Perth MM, and encouraged Saddleworth MM to make their 40th anniversary Rushcart a Ring event; I have attended funerals and supported the outreach to youth. If available, I have been to every event to which I have been asked, and met friends both old and new. Our relationship with the other two morris organisations through the JMO continues to flourish, but most important of all, the Morris Ring is still here and I have had a really brilliant time! I know you will do the same for Adam, who will be Squire in his own way. Thank you one and all!
Robin Springett
Immediate Past SOTMR
Dartmouth
September 2014