A new year, a new selection of great events to look forward to, some new teams to dance with, and a mix of familiar and new events ahead. What’s not to like?
But the performing year started in the now traditional way, with several of the team attending the Kennet Ale on Sat 21st Feb. Another excellent evening of massed dances and some individual team displays, with BB performing creditably on their turn. But for 2 of the BB attendees, Florent and Robert, the next day would prove quite a challenge as they took part in the Wokingham half marathon in full BB kit, including bells. They certainly attracted attention as they ran round together, usually with quite a lot of space around them as all the other runners kept well clear of the bells. But in the end they managed a very respectable time of not much over 2 hours, and ensured they appeared on the front page of the local paper!
Then the 14th March saw us perform an interval spot at the Oxfolk ceilidh, the first time we had performed one there since 2010, and it seemed to be well received. The outdoor season started though on 23rd April, St. George’s Day, attending an evening based in Odiham organised by Hook Eagle with several other local teams. The weather held up for everyone, and the evening included a ‘Shakespeare Shout’ organised by Hook Eagle outside the Bell Inn, where all those attending had to shout “Cry God for Harry, England, and Saint George!” at the same time. This is a new idea which may or may not catch on nationally but well done to Hook Eagle for organising and it certainly gave us all something to shout about…
Then just a few days later, on 26th April, our one-time-and-still-occasional-member Rhys, now resident in Hastings, set a Guinness approved world record! Taking part in the London Marathon, he set a record for the fastest ever marathon dressed as a morris dancer (Hastings RX kit, but never mind) – an awe inspring 2hrs, 42 mins. Afterwards he was heard to say “gasp – pant – water! – water!” but nevertheless a fantastic effort.
