On Friday afternoon the campers and motorhomers arrived at the Sloop Inn near Snaith. Tents and motorhomes set up and beers awaited. Weather was warm, the grass was dry and the pub opened at 3pm for Theakston’s Best. We were ensconced in the establishment circa 5pm. Andy P salivated at the fish and chips at £16 for two persons. Unfortunately the landlady/ cook was stuck on the runway at Leeds Bradford airport. No food then, so a perusal of various takeaways in Snaith with Phil volunteering to drive in to get a pick up. Breaking news was the landlady was on her way and would soon cook for us all. So another beer….. did someone say ThTheakthtons… or was that pizza talking! Lots of loud country and western, with lots of singing and occasional outbursts of dancing. Rockin’. So fed and watered the campers left the pub after 5 and 1/2 hours drinking and eating.
The hoteliers in the meantime checked in to their respective establishments and slopped off to the local Tapas bar for a much more civilised evening of fine dining with Rod and Jinny. Fine food it appears.
Saturday was the prescribed dancing day, started with Phil picking up enormous breakfast bacon butties from the cafe in Snaith – enough for lunch.
Everyone piled into Tom’s motorhome for coffee and munching. Perfect. All participants arrived for a 12 pm start at the Sloop. This was the first stop of an all day session for our former Foreman of music, Rod. He had his accordion in tow and was well pleased to be in the company of his old friends.
The fine weather saw the dancers dance, the ladies chat, the locals enthusiastic to join in and Rod sitting amongst his congregation enjoying the banter and the music and dancing. Horse in great form, much nuzzling and pursuing giggling bar staff into the bar.
Next stop was the Black Dog brewery. What a place! Great selection of local brewed beers (the milk stout was excellent). A period car rally with lots of audience meant we danced in tight spaces but were very well received. The manager stated everyone with bells-on had a free pint. We may well be back sometime! The Horse was almost eaten alive by the many dogs in the audience.
Next stop was the walking tour of Snaith, we aimed to do all 6. Unfortunately the first Pub, the Brewers Arms had been double booked for a wedding. But to the side’s great delight we were joined by Max, Jennii, bump and placid hound. The Crane dynasty joined us at the Downes Arms. So good to see Jinny, Teresa, Caroline and Dista. Plus Bill, daughters and many, many others. Our Fool stood on a chair looked at the large crowd and said ‘anyone not from the Crane family?’. Two hands went up!
The next pub, unusually named Bell & Crown, was conveniently just across the road and with beer in hand we continued to dance in the courtyard at the back, moving tables. Horse continued to romp around.
The Black Lion was next, not much audience but interesting, good beer and again an outdoors courtyard with a raised area. The Tetley’s was recommended and was very good. By now the temperature had risen and the sweat was pouring. Fool produced the big water pistol and happily irritated most people, it had to go away quickly once the many sprogs got hold of it. Horse heaven.
The next pub, The Doghouse, was what we thought would be a gin palace but encouraged by a friendly blonde lady turned out to be an indoor venue. Limited space again but ensured Max and Baz had room for a double Bampton Princess Royal jig. With added dancers at the end. A few punters were handkerchief whipped as they queued for interesting locally brewed beers – mainly cloudy.
Final pub stop of the day was The Plough. With brewery attached. Again dancing outside with the residents watching us from the balcony and private booths. Fantastic place. We were a bit beery by now and ‘peaking’. ‘Trust Me Max’ led us in a world first of a 6 man, Bampton Jenny Lind….and our final dance of the day was a hilarious Eynsham Stick Dance performed with flair and enthusiasm (but probably not accuracy). It was a really magic moment, the enthusiastic audience caught the moment as well. Absolutely brill.
It was particularly good for YMM as few people had seen morris dancing at all or not for years, we think that Snaith is not ‘danced’ at all, so our audiences were always interested and enthusiastic.
By this time the ladies had retired to Rod and Jinny’s. We were all invited to Dista’s for loads of food, drink, children and cats and dogs. Not forgetting Dista’s husband Richard who waited on the assembled mob hand and foot. Fantastic hospitality, the whole family had contributed so much to the the weekend. Baz did a jig, Rod played.
What an amazing evening and an end to our excellent day with Rod in Snaith.
Dista very kindly drove the six of us campers back to the Sloop Inn, despite no headlights. We just had to have one more (or two) in the Sloop (again rocking) for the road…… or was it the stagger over the field to the tents.
Sunday morning the campers packed up the tents a little later than planned and the hostellers checked out of their accommodation.
Our final dance spot was at the Snaith Priory. A lovely old church with lots of history and even a Stapleton altar.
The vicar was superb. Eleanor was a true orator and led us through an entertaining service of celebration of the Morris, I’m sure Father Kenneth Loveless would have been pleased to see his ‘Healthy Heathens’ in Church. A few lively dances after the service outside the church saw us finish with Bonnie Green Garters.The vicar being eager to join the dance at the start however by the end had her reaching for her inhaler not knowing how strenuous Morris dancing could be.
Saying our goodbyes to the lovely vicar we adjourned to the “Old Vicarage” (Dista’s gaff) across the road for an ‘easy bacon roll’, where Dista and family provided us all with bacon, sausages, eggs, mushrooms, toast and tomatoes to name but a few for brunch. Ably followed by a superb Pavlova made by Harry soon to be off to Bristol for Uni where his culinary skills will no doubt be in demand.
It should be mentioned that whilst the majority sat out in the back garden some die hard sports fanatics watched the England Lionesses play the World Cup final. The result is no doubt known to all but the atmosphere was tense, except for a large no of dancers who fell asleep.
So finished our weekend in Snaith to see Rod and Jinny.
It was wonderful to see them both again and hopefully Yateley Morris might make it back again to Yorkshire. Also wonderful to have 3 ‘country members’ – Monty, Peter and Max – with us, they just slotted back into YMM performance seamlessly.
Pick of the performance Eynsham Stick Dance, as we peaked… and pick of the beers Black Dog ‘Milk Stout’
Artistes
Paul Montague, Max, Peter Stapleton, Andy Pobjoy, Tom Brady, Chris Chapple, Paul Lethbridge, Baz Crossman, Phil Goddard, Ian Sutherland, Ross Healey. Brute
YATELEY MORRIS MEN 