Rose and Castle Weekend of Dance

A glorious Northampton shire canal side location at Stoke Bruerne and 16 Morris sides and what have you got – a great weekend!

Havoc canal-side at Stoke Bruerne.

Havoc canal-side at Stoke Bruerne.

Between 27th and 29th June, ten Havocs spent a great weekend as guests of Rose and Castle Morris.

Rose and Castle, our weekend hosts.

Rose and Castle, our weekend hosts.

After setting up camp on a rugby field we were greeted to a supper of chilli on Friday night along with around 200 dancers; who being Morris and lubricated with falling down liquid, broke into an impromptu session. Saturday started with a cooked breakfast and we were off – to dance at 4 venues around the County; travelling in two groups in four coaches. It was nice to be given a special welcome as a ‘Cotswold side’; most of the sides were North West clog – from as far away as Manchester. Saturday evening the hosts provided a veritable banquet and a grand ceilidh – Oliver outpaced the other side members – in particular Nigel who used the excuse of a recent illness to go to bed earlier – mind you sleep was a struggle – Greg had also gone to bed early!

Massed Morris sides by the canal at Stoke Bruerne.

Massed Morris sides by the canal at Stoke Bruerne.

Havoc dancing beside the canal at Stoke Bruerne.

Havoc dancing beside the canal at Stoke Bruerne.

Sunday morning another cooked breakfast and a leisurely morning before setting off to dance at the lock-side in Stoke Bruerne – a splendid location – with more than one pub and 16 sides all dancing on adjacent spots. Despite my early night – I was told I looked tired – I had not slept well, the horse in the nearby field had been snorting all night – ‘It wasn’t a horse’, said Lesley – who knew something I didn’t!! But what a great weekend of dancing, eating and imbibing; thanks to Queens Oak and Rose and Castle Morris.

In Wellingborough on the Rose and Castle Weekend.

In Wellingborough on the Rose and Castle Weekend.