After the main dance out season it was back to the 4 week BB course during October. While not overwhelmed by the huge numbers wishing to join us, we had attendance throughout the course from Ken, Linda, and young Bob. By the end, the course had covered several dances in the repertoire to an excellent standard, and had more than one of the current team looking nervously on as they realised how it should be done. For the last evening of the course we welcomed back Gareth, helping us out again while Sue takes a sabbatical on the other side of the world. It was great to see him back in his accustomed place, alongside Simon asking him how the tunes went.
Just after the end of the course on 26th October came a momentous event in the Bedlam diary, the wedding of Mike and Lyn. This took place at a church just outside Newbury, with many at the ceremony in Morris kit, followed by a reception immediately afterwards at the church hall, and then an evening ceilidh at the school opposite with Random and Chris Pitt.
All went well at the ceremony, Lyn and Mike looked resplendent in cream and green, and best man Jameson, also in green frock coat, spent the day telling everyone how wonderful he looked, and also managed to work it into his best man’s speech at the reception, along with a reference to the fact that Mike had obviously carefully chosen the date as the clocks were due to go back that night, their wedding night, and at his age he could use the extra hour.
After the speeches the sides present performed a dance each in the church hall, with Mike and Lyn joining in with various teams including Berkshire Bedlam (once again featuring Gareth, who had earlier caused a small sensation by baring torso outside the church while getting changed), Old Speckled Hen, Kintbury, Pigsty, Red-or-deadbornstoke (winter tradition), a Stroud jig, and Mike Boston’s Great Western style massed Princess Royal for everyone not in kit. Then the families adjourned for a belated lunch while the Morris teams adjourned for a belated pint to the Swan at Thatcham where the dancing continued until it got too cold and late. BB’s efforts included a performance of Laughing Cavalier, and as all 3 of the stalwarts of the October course happened to be there, in a variety of outfits and heels, they were duly roped in, and responded magnificently. Later on a friendly and attractive young member of the barstaff, demonstrably feeling the effects of a chilly day, was persuaded to join Tim and others performing an improvised Shepherd’s Hey (not sure the teapot chorus is traditional, Tim) – actually she was very good and the side was immediately prepared to relax its ‘male dancers only’ rule which had stood for the previous 25 years although sadly she declined the invitation.
Finally it was back to Newbury for the excellent evening ceilidh, with Random playing, Chris Pitt calling, Mike and Lyn looking relaxed, and some of BB by now looking the worse for wear. But overall a great day, and a thoroughly enjoyable celebration of Lyn and Mike’s happy event.