Monthly Archives: July 2019

Back at the Seacourt

Generally speaking, we tend of wind down a bit in August. People will insist on going on holiday and being generally unobtainable. So, Thursday was the last of our regular Thursday evening dance-outs, and we went back to our winter home, the Seacourt Bridge in Botley, for a special evening. Our very own Isobel was celebrating one of those birthdays with a nought in it.

So, definitely time for a dance.

Constant Billy – ready for the off.

Constant Billy – on the move.

And we welcomed a special guest musician.

Tilda shows us how to shake.

It was a warm evening. Squire permitted removal of waistcoats.

Hankies flying in the heat.

There was a spectacular cake.

The cake.

The birthday girl cuts the cake.

And, after dancing and cake, tunes and songs outside. Our summer is by no means over, but what a great way to finish the regular season.

Havoc on the cards

An enterprising Morris dancer called Owain (there’s a limerick in there somewhere) has produced a Morris card game, Top Trunkles.

We were sufficiently on the ball when the call for sides came out. And here we are!

Top Trunkles

An evening in Eynsham

Aided and abetted by Wolvercote Morris, we snuck out of Oxford on Thursday and into Eynsham. The Swan Hotel, to be precise.

Wolvercote getting warmed up.

We came equipped with a special guest star. Veronica, Squire of Sydney’s very own Black Joak Morris.

Our guest star with Emma and Kate.

We passed a relaxing evening of turn and turn about.

Hankies a-fly.

A Wolvercote turn.

The Swan has a nice stone wall in the back yard. Emma’s not one to let a good clogging surface pass her by, even if it presents challenges.

Emma shows off her clogging.

Emma on the wall.

We’re past midsummer, so the evenings don’t last quite as long as they did.

Musicians in the gloaming.

And not to be out done, Veronica thought she’d try the wall as well.

Veronica conquers the wall.

After that, inside for some music.

The evening session.

Pete sings!

Sandford Fete

Today we’ve been dancing at the village fete in Sandford. Another traditional fete – if this was Midsummer Murders, we’d be lucky to get out alive – and another fee to swell our charity fundraising for this year. The fete bought the crowds out.

Fete crowds.

We did two half hour displays on a grass area.

Hankies flying.

Constant Billy.

The thing about dancing on grass is that it’s rather hard work.

Sidesteps. It’s hard work on grass.

So we all needed the break at half time.

Musicians and Morris Dancers gravitate to the Beer Tent.

And Squire had to consult with the other Important Personages there present.

Cheers, Ma’am!

Back for the second half. Delighted that Oliver was in town, and back with us for the afternoon. These days he’s more likely to be dancing with Blackheath Morris, the side that appeared in the 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremony, no less. We are not worthy.

Oliver takes time out from Blackheath.

Just us, a country pub and a summer evening

Whether it’s the regular Tuesday evening session, or a dance out, we’re regular visitors to Tommy and the Eight Bells at Eaton. It’s a warm and dry summer evening, so we’re doing our usual thing.

Vandals of Hammerwich.

Back to Back!

Not having any other sides around means that Squire can put us through our paces on some dances to check that we’ve not forgotten them.

Dogs or War – Kill!

And we have a fete coming up on Saturday, so let’s practice some crowd-pleasers too.

Shaving the Donkey.

Jenny Lind.

Of course, when there’s only us dancing, it’s not only the dancers who have to work hard. Spare a thought for the hard-working engine room of the side too.

Our musicians.

At the Six Bells at Warborough with Old Speckled Hen

It’s a near-perfect summer evening, and we’re off to meet Old Speckled Hen for the second time this season. This time we are once again their guests at the Six Bells in Warborough. A pub familiar to Midsommer Murders fans. Let’s hope we get out alive.

A perfect summer evening.

Our hosts.

A nice evening for a dance…

Bluebells of Scotland.

Susie briefly deserts her melodeon for the bootstick.

… or just to relax and take it all in.

OSH and the Six Bells.

Havoc onlookers.

And two bonuses. Two talented youngsters with OSH connections gave us a jig each. One near the start of the evening…

An early jig.

… and another as the sun faded and my phone camera started to really struggle with the light.

A late jig.