Happenings to the redoubtable crew in 2008

Fylde Workshop - Feb

As in previous years we trudged (snow) to Lytham St Annes and held a dance swap with Fylde Coast Cloggies.
We taught on Offerton Green, one of our own dances, and were taught a sixhanded dance called Pollyanna.

Fig and Date Fayre - March

An extravaganza of dance side silliness found its way to the Rose and Crown pub at Cop Hill, Slaithwaite nr Huddersfield. Hosted by the southern side called "The Fez Heads" an afternoon and evening of all sorts of diversions were possible e.g. Fruit conkers or the famous Chillie Roulette Challenge.

The weather was diabolical which meant that we ALL had to stay in the pub and socialize. Good grief !

Some dancing was possible as can be seen here

The month of April saw us at the "Vic" pub on two occasions one for Dave Lewis's Birthday and one for St George's birthday. We also processed down the A6 on a Sun morning as part of St.George's Day celebrations

Rochester Sweeps Festival

The beginning of May saw us at Rochester Sweeps Festival and we formed a partnership with our good friends of Anstey Royale Chalfont, to whit they had a musician (Thankyou Lauren) and we had more dancers (just). However you don't travel all that way and be miserable so the craic was mighty.

Golcar Lily Day - 10th May

We were asked by the owner of the local (to Golcar, Huddersfield ) brewery to help his contribution to the village day out. We compled and drank a lot of his beers, danced three spots and proceeded to the vicarage gardens where they also had run out of beer. Hey Ho

Holmfirth Festival of Folk 11th May

On a sunbaked day we joined a lot of other sides to dance in the heart of Holme valley. A rare mix of sides were displaying their terpsichorean abilities and still the sun beat down on all.

Team Weekend at Theale 23rd - 26th May

The forecast was not good but we still turned up and erected our newest Marquee on the new patch that Edwin had organised at the top of the orchard field.
Saturday dawned pleasantly enough and most went out being tourists and/or shopping.The camp followers however decided to be traditional and that means going to the Panborough Sat afternoon. As there was a lot of beer on the site they decided to have a fantasy beer festival and celebrate the Hebbron Radio Beacon's first transmission.

The marquee erected, the team did their usual Theale "end of the pier" party for some locals and campers.
Sunday was damp to start but brightened up with a stiff breeze. The camp followers party continued and the evening was given over to more singing and stories. The wind not letting up at all so heavy duty straps were added to the marquee's windward side.

Monday morning dawned with gale force winds and rain and after a hurried breakfast the marquee was dropped in a frenzy, people hanging on to bits whilst others were dismantling. Jean was lifted off her feet whilst holding on to a pole !

Shades of last year when we had to disassemble the old marquee

Persephone's 30th Birthday Weekend 6th - 8th June (check their website as well)

As far as Stockport were concerned most of the team arrived on Sat morning ( those that arrived on friday were treated to an hour with Sid Kipper, but not individually !)and were bussed off to a massed stand in Morley town centre. The ten teams split up and went on their various tours ours being Shibden Hall, Halifax - Hebden Bridge - Oakwell Hall, Birstall - Railway Pub, Drighlington.

A ceilidh in the evening on Saturday was by Roy and his band with other spots of entertainment

Sunday morning was scheduled as School Sports Day and amid much hilarity and cheating teams raced and jumped in the pleasant sunshine

So having packed up tents and the like the whole show moved from Morley RUFC to the pub near Persephone's practice hall.
The weather being very hot and sunny in the village of Hunsworth all teams remaining danced until mid afternoon.

Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival 15th June

As Stockport were a Sunday side this time we as other teams commenced a massed stand at the wonderful Bullring facility. A trundle to the Big Lock on the canal passing many boats and danced with Clerical Error Border Morris side from Wales and the host side Adlington Cotswold morris side from South Cheshire.