Maida Vale, 15 May

We danced at two beautiful pubs in Maida Vale: 

The Prince Alfred in Formosa Street

.. and the Warwick Castle

Birkbeck, University of London, 9 May

A booking at Birkbeck, University of London, turned out to be with the Child Psychology group, which includes lots of nationalities so they "do" different countries' customs for their social get-togethers. 

We felt sure a few fertility rites would help their work along, and they were pleased to have a go at our instruments....  

Hastings Jack In The Green

This year's Jack in the Green featured several mythical creatures on a lovely sunny day in Hastings

May 1, Deptford, Fowlers Troop

The two Peters went to Deptford with Fowlers' Troop. the day included some of the best sausages I've ever had, and enough melodeon playing to give my shoulder some trouble... 

Saint George's Day, Great Ormond Street 23 April

This year our regular visit to Great Ormond Street's ad hoc Scout troop too place on St George's Day. I only have photos of Nick's jig - I was dancing the rest of the time. 

Hyundai Sales Conference

Work as a salesman for a major motor manufacturer, and you live a glamorous life. Hit your targets, and you get invited to the annual sales conference, for days of wild partying and high-octane entertainment. 

If you worked for Hyundai in 2012, your destination for the February 2013 sales conference was the international city and Olympic venue... London. And the top of the bill for the night's entertainment on 21 February was... London Pride.

So it was that we assembled at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane at 7pm, and prepared ourselves while the audience were warmed up by a piper, expecting to perform for a select group of businessmen. 

There was a long delay, before we were led through winding corridors to emerge on a stage, enthusiastically presented by a Korean MC, to literally hundreds of Asian salesmen. He explained what we were about, and we lurched into The Rose and some other mostly Fieldtown dances.

After a bit we called for volunteers to join and got a good showing of businessmen, armed with crisp linen serviettes for a dignified and enthusiastic Bonnie Green. Styanding ovation and off... and now we are waiting for the call from other motor manufacturers. 

The Feast, 1 December, Parson's Green

Among the highlights of the Feast was Jeremy re-enacting Kemp's Jig, as performed (probably) during the Nine Daies Wonder in 1600. The dance was performed in front of a plaque warning against just this sort of unruly behaviour. 

We had 11 of us, so were able to put on some good dancing, in between drinking tea and beer, and eating.

The AGM resolved that side should continue on its merry way.

Old Ale Festival, White Horse, Parsons Green 24 November

We danced at the Old Ale Festival at the White Horse in Parson's Green, for the second year. 

No photos I can find, but we had a good show and enjoyed the beer. 

The Pearlies

We performed at the Pearly Kings and Queens' Harvest Festival at the Guild Hall on 30 September. 

There were plenty of eccentric people to see

The camera loves Allan

There were Morris dancers of all sizes////

What sort of a uniform is that??

Some sides had beasts....

Our beast was favourite 

Gillespie Park , Islington

Once again we visited Gillespie Park Ecology Centre  in Islington.
A lovely sunny day, and enough dancers for some good shows.

Add caption

We met Bob Ross's grand-daughter...

.. demonsttrated wind-powered morris

 // and creative anachronism...

Practices Start again next Tuesday!

We're starting our practices next Tuesday (18th September), and we're also going to have a session as an open evening on the 9th October with the idea of letting new people try it out together.

Any of you people out there who've always thought you might have a go  sometime - this is the ideal time to try!

Of course you'd also be welcome any other night (though we're having a half term on the 30th October)

We practice at Haverstock School on Haverstock Hill in Camden, close to Chalk farm tube station, we meet on Tuesdays at 7.30 to 9.30 with a musician practice from 7.

 Afterwards of course we go to the pub. we're still trying the local hostelries to decide which is our favourite

Angel Canal Festival, 2 September

The Angel Canal Festival - a regular and a favourite event. This time round we had an early start at 11, and danced at the pub, the Plaza and the towpath.

There were owls to see, as well as the Insect Circus Museum. The Pearly Jazzers and Tragic Roundabout were there as usual.

Another treat was a display of dancing with kayak paddles. After the girls from Islington Boat Club showed their stuff, we roped one of them in to perform Balance the Oar with paddles.

We're hoping for photos of the dance.

We had a good audience back at the Prince of Wales, and Kitty danced a double jig mufti, with Peter....

Phoenix Garden Agricultural Show and St Giles Fayre

1 September was St Giles' Day, and the fourth Phoenix Garden Agricultural Show, held in the community garden and the churchyard, at St Giles' Church, near Tottenham Court Road. It's our third time there.

 

There were farm animals, a Punch and Judy, and the lovely Crystal Palace Brass Band.

Half the audience knew Myrtle by name, and she got some left-over sausages.

  

   
  
 As often happens, photos are of jigs...