The Yateley “Feel Good Festival” seemed like a good local event to support and the ideal recruitment opportunity for the side. So, armed with new leaflets, posters, pictures and video we converged on the Tithings to display our wares. As usual, the outgoing-Squires plan did not survive engagement with the enemy – in this case heavy rain all morning and a small audience. We set up the Gazebo at the entrance to the “Move Well” section – only to find that several exhibitors had failed to show up because of the weather, leaving us with a rather low-key location slightly removed from the centre of the event. As this was reminiscent of a damp Tuesday night dancing outside of an empty pub, we felt quite at home.
Undeterred Andy (doubtless invigorated by his recent promotion to Squire) set off on a recruitment drive around the other stall holders, while Ian fell into conversation with the Deputy Mayor. When Ian pointed out that the Festival was poorly served by the absence of any decent advertising or social media and only a single poster on the roundabout at the end of the Green, the conversation seemed to inexplicably end.
Happily, shortly after midday the sun made an appearance, and the attendance increased a little. We were approached by a strange man waving his arms and shouting, ”unclean, unclean”, which turned out to be the convalescing Phil Goddard accompanied by his carer (aka Hazel). Our Stage slot, in front of the marque was at 2.15 and we were happy to see a nice line of people waiting to watch us perform. It turned out that this was the queue for the face painting, but an audience is always welcome – whatever the cause. We dropped the formal recruitment programme in favour of some straightforward entertainment. Peter de Courcy blithered enthusiastically and we capered our way through a representative set of dances, even getting some audience involvement and a few joiners for a farewell Bonnie Green.
Thanks to all who supported us – Ian Sutherland, Andy Pobjoy, Baz Crossman, Ian Young, Aidan Hardy, Chis Bartlett, Mike Clarke, Peter de Courcy, Paul Lethbridge, Rob Acreman. We may be back…
YATELEY MORRIS MEN 