A lovely evening with our old friends Winchester Morris Men, far too long since we danced with them. Two great dance spots, the first right in the centre of the pretty town of Overton. Big and friendly audience who enjoyed the different styles of the two sides. Allegedly a dry spot, but a few lads ventured across the busy crossroads to the White Hart (good value Uphams beers) for a quick one. Our local Brian was sadly not around (in Yorks) but we were pleased to see Sara, Martha and Honey. The horse quickly made friends with the locals and the sweaty Fool promptly tickled them.
Off down classic narrow Hampshire lanes gently undulating through chalk landscape to North Waltham. A beautiful village with green, pond and ducks but apparently no pub! The Fox was found a bit further on….and it was a real gem, new to most of us, with a lovely garden with views. Immaculate and welcoming country pub with an exceptionally generous landlord (thank you!), excellent range of local beers (Golden Wallop was brill). Garden furniture had been moved for the dancing and we were off again, with a friendly audience beaming down on us from another part of the garden.
Winchester danced briskly, energetically and with precision, very good – YMM particularly liked the Brackley dances (esp Shooting) and also enjoyed watching dances that we perform but are rarely seen otherwise – such as Bumpus O’Stretton and Signposts. YMM’s dancing was a bit off this night (gnashing of foremen teeth) with a 12 man Bluebells (singing, almost..) and MOTM, Ilmington (ripped flag and wrapped squire..) being particularly shambolic. Ah well, can’t be perfect every week… J
Final dance was satisfying mass Vandals. A packed and boisterous session got underway inside, others enjoying the long summer evening in the garden.
WMM were good hosts and good company all evening, let’s not be strangers!
Artistes
Andy Pobjoy, Andrew Armitage, Peter Stapleton, Mike Clarke, Steve Betts, Tom Brady, Greg Bramwell, Chris Chapple, Ryan Cooper, Baz Crossman, David Wright, Dennis Hausen, Ross Healey, Tim Lloyd, Ian Sutherland, Ian Young, Andy Young, Robin Acreman in civvies, WFYH
