Next came the event we had spent much time, effort and angst preparing for – another week long appearance at the Sidmouth Folk Festival. And what a fabulous week it turned out to be, once the strong winds on the first Saturday had died down. It was a pleasure to dance with lots of other excellent teams, and there were numerous highlights throughout the week, but a midnight dance spot in Monday’s LNE ceilidh with Whapweasel was especially memorable, with our routine of 1-6 (2 sets), Sword Dance and massed Fairies going down extremely well with an enthusiastic audience. Other highlights included excellent performances from Charles and Robert in Sunday’s jig competition, well received routines in dance shows in Blackmore Gardens and Connaught Gardens, and our appearance as Pearly Kings and Queens in the royalty themed morris party evening on Wednesday hosted by Chinewrde. Apart from winning the best dressed team award, we performed our ‘Where Did You Get That Hat’ Cockney style dance (reprised in many guises over the years after first being developed for the 1994 Bunfight!). Thursday evening was also notable for an impromptu town tour to celebrate Rhys’s forthcoming wedding, partly coinciding with a rapper tour happening at the same time. A few dances were performed and a few drinks were taken…
The week finished as always with a (flaming) torchlight procession along the Esplanade before dousing torches in the sea followed by the traditional firework display. An excellent week for the team, who acquitted themselves very creditably throughout.
At the team reception, Rhys demonstrates his advanced warm ups
In the afternoon dance show, Sally’s new nuts prove somewhat fragile …
… either getting stuck together …
.. or rapidly disintegrating
Later on at Port Royal, strong winds caused ribbon problems…
… which we rose above
On the Esplanade
Ambitious stick throwing at Port Royal
Teams assemble at Port Royal, Compass Roses ready to perform…
… so Rhys fleeces the audience while they dance…
2 sets for Sucking The Monkey…
… with high kicks at the front
Jig competition – James and Emma reprise last year’s winning double
In the solo, Robert rises high …
… as does Charles
Devil’s Highway on the Esplanade
At Port Royal, a lively run through of the Sword Dance before LNE
Princess Royal at Connaught Gardens
LNE! …
… 2 sets of 1-6
The Sword Dance…
… more Swords
Fairies to finish
Good lines!
Good lines!
Ace snapper Ben, camera always at the ready…
… and as his alter ego, along with Sel for their fabulous electronica extravaganza album launch
Connaught Gardens in the foreground during an afternoon dance sho
Back at Port Royal
In the Market Square, someone mentions it’s Happy Hour in The Anchor
Jameson shows how it should be done
Cor blimey guvnor, what’s this on the bus into town?…
Why I do declare! It’s some Pearly Kings and Queens at the Morris Party!
Who could these be?
Where Did You Get That Hat dance (as first seen in 1994!)
The Pearly King Wheel of Death (which went surprisingly OK)
Hoy! Who’s got a hat left?
Schrodingers at Port Royal
The afternoon procession – obligatory tour of the mini roundabout
Afternoon dance show – Highland Mary…
… and 2 sets of Cavalier
All up
Later that evening, Robert auditions on the drum…
… during an impromptu mini stag evening for Rhys, including brother Owain…
… and Emma Laister – an ambitious RTB demonstration during Flowers of Edinburgh
Rhys and Will at the Sailing club, before the sambucas kicked in (and later kicked out)
Last day, musicians at Port Royal
Port Royal from behind
A final Port Royal flourish
Fairies to finish at Connaught
All on stage after the final mini procession round the gardens, ably led by Will and BB
In the Market Square, an ambitious final 1-6
Waiting to start the torchlight procession
En route, Ben enjoying the lime(torch)light
Waiting for torches out and the end of the Festival (sob)
