Almost unbelievably, it had become BBs 40th year! – and though long term injuries to some of our experienced dancers had been a problem, the welcome sight of some new dancers had meant the team approached its 40th birthday year confidently.
And one of our new dancers, Charles, was quickly in action at the first event of the year, a Haddenham ceilidh on 4th February with the Bursledon Band. We did a 4 dance spot, with Charles joining for the final Jolly Jockey. All went well, no injuries, minimal dropped sticks – a good start to the year!
After the rarity for BB of a Sunday practice at a mirrored dance studio in Woodley in February (a great opportunity for several of the team to keep admiring themselves throughout), the first outdoor event was on Sunday 23rd April with a day at the Oxford Folk Festival, with both newcomers Charles and Ben playing a full part. Another good day’s dancing, at the end of which we were approached by a Spanish TV crew making some sort of promotional film, and we were asked to have a speaking part. This turned out to be repeating several times “welcome to Oxford!” – I think by the end we had it nailed.
Next, on Wednesday 10th May, came a dance out at the Queens Head in Wokingham along with Windsor Morris to celebrate our illustrious foreman’s 50th birthday. A cheerful evening, though Jameson claimed to be unimpressed by Sue and Bob’s Lucy Worsley masks, claiming his allegiance had switched to Alice Roberts. However we noticed at the end of the evening he quietly made off with the Lucy Worsleys, to do with them we know not what…
