2013 was full of some really great events and performances, even despite the presence of one or two longer term injuries. Though we didn’t know just how good it was going to turn out when the season kicked off on 20th April with a sunny day in Oxford, along with many other morris sides as a part of the revitalised Oxford Folk Weekend. After some past financial difficulties the Festival is enjoying something of a revival, and the gleaming spires of Oxford witnessed some excellent folk related activity over the weekend. We certainly had a good day dancing at the Oxford Castle, the Ashmolean Museum, and some stints in Cornmarket before finishing at Gloucester Green (not the bus station bit), transformed for the day into a hub of activity with music, dance, craft stalls, and general bonhomie all around. Tour leader for the day Will did a great job, and didn’t let the day’s lack of swords get in the way of doing our Sword Dance (though it got a bit sticky). And the first BB lucky lottery of the season produced a £10 win – a good omen for the season?
On 4th May we joined Pilgrim Morris in Guildford for their annual Summerpole celebration – carrying a giant striped pole around town before planting it in the Castle grounds. Apart from incorporating the first procession of the year, the day marked David’s first full dance out with us which passed without any serious mishaps. And at lunchtime he revealed a hitherto hidden powerful singing voice – an asset the team can usefully deploy when called upon for a turn in future, allowing the rest of the team to slope off to the bar. This was followed on 19th May by another trip to Brighton, to join Brighton Morris Men for part of their weekend of dance. Apart from being a good dancing day, the day was also notable for the debut of a new dance for 2013, Winnersh Triangle, thankfully completed without too many mishaps.
