We danced at 2 splendid pubs yesterday evening in conditions that were slightly cooler than they were on Wednesday with us giving a performance almost as electrifying as the immense storm that we had then! However it was still incredibly warm, but hey, we’re not complaining!

We started at the Killay Village Square and entertained a group of people drinking outside the pub there, and a crowd that came and went from the Co-Op! We were able to put two sets of six up to perform dances that included Riggs of Doom and Curly Boar, as well as Hunt the Squirrel, Sheriff’s Ride, and Ring of Bells, all of which looked pretty tidy from the photographer’s viewpoint.

A quick, short drive found us at a very busy Railway Inn. We could not dance immediately due to a pub quiz, but that gave us ample time to go investigate the Sweyn’s Ale that they have brewed specifically for our forthcoming 60th Anniversary Ale which is being held during the weekend of 4-7th June. The Sweyn’s Ale is superb at 4.5%, giving notes on the palate of slight citrus, and with just the right balance of the 4 varieties of hops contained within it! You as members of the public can enjoy this ale as much as us, although be warned, there was quite a queue of Sweyn’s Ey Morris eager to buy this golden nectar to assuage their considerable thirsts!!!
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We did several dances of which Grenadiers, Y Gaseg Eira, Vandals and Curly Boar were the highlights, before the midges started taking chunks out of us, and banishing us to the comfort of the back bar room to chat and socialise. A great evening out.
Pics by Claire, Margaret, and Paul.

We sent a side of 2 musicians & 7 dancers to this year’s festival in what promised to be the hottest day of the year so far! We started at the Three Crowns pub which provided excellent ale to maintain essential hydration. The Usual from Frome brewery was a clear winner and was a recommendation from one of the locals drinking there! Geoff ascertained this essential information.

We danced in company of Icknield Way, whose Squire Jim Birch danced with us until 1977! Summertown Morris did a great version of Wheatley Trunkles, and Treacle Eater Clog performed some great dances.

We also danced at Borough Parade with England’s Glory, Moonlight Morris, and Wickham Morris before joining the Morris Parade, and dancing Speed the Plough for much of the way. We must be getting fitter because the parade did not seem to last very long! We gave a display at the top of the High Street before reaching burn out in the afternoon sun.
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So many good sides at the festival, plus several of our ex members. It was good to see Julian Lander, who took some photos, Martin Hughes, Dave Lock, and the aforementioned Jim Birch. M.J.Searle was there, but we did not see her.

Nothing written up on this tour! Come on someone, give us some words!

​GOWER HERITAGE CENTRE CIDER & CHEESE FEST SAT 16th MAY
We were invited to entertain at the Heritage Centre in Parkmill and so we had 11 dancers and 3 musicians turn out for this goodly event. Di & Kevin played a few folky tunes on the open mic outside before we did two dance sets, starting in the Courtyard indoors as it was raining outside. We danced British Grenadiers, Riggs of Doom, Vandals of Hammerwich, Postman’s Knock and Bonnie Green Garters. One lady in the audience could be seen singing along to the latter dance tune (an incognito dancer perhaps?) and another called Lesley celebrated her birthday so she was treated to us singing the time honoured song!
Richie Saunders called Nigel up onto the stage to acknowledge our performances at the Heritage Centre over the last decade and to tell us how the barrel of cider he is brewing for us is coming along! Nigel responded by donating one of our fab new badges to Richie & telling of our forthcoming 60th Anniversary weekend planned for 4-7th June.
The rain having ceased we went outside to dance a bit more where we did Curly Boar, Valentines, Sherrif’s Ride, Badby Shooting and Bonnie Green to finish off the dancing, although some, it is told, went on to party a bit and drink some of the wonderful cider that was available! It’s all happening down here mun!
Pics by Erin & Paul.

Cold, sunny and definitely chilly was how it was for us dancing out on Thursday evening! Still, we had a good time, dancing at the castle at the top end of Wind Street, although a heavy shower of rain saw us seeking shelter in the ever excellent No Sign Bar before visiting the wonderful Queen’s Hotel in the Marina Quarter. Special mention must be made of Louis who danced out for the very first time with us. Well done!
Here’s some photos from the evening taken by Paul & Alison H.

MUMBLES, THURS 7th MAY
We performed at the ever popular Mumbles Piaza last night. We did a fairly radical first set of dances which included Y Gaseg Eira, Banks of the Lea, Rigs of Doom, Curly Boar, and British Grenadiers. We involved some of the audience in Brighton Camp.
A quick breather, and set 2 included Greensleeves, Ring of Bells, Upton Stick, Sherriff's Ride, Postman’s Knock and Bonnie Green Garters to finish.
Here’s photos taken by Di and Paul.

MURTON FETE, MONDAY 4TH MAY

We danced at the fete earlier today, held on Murton Green, and whilst prospects looked a bit dodgy at first due to rain, it had miraculously dried up by the time of our expected dance slot. That’s the power of the Morris for you!

We did a set that included, Grenadiers, Banbury Bill, Vandals of Hammerwich, Curly Boar, Postman’s Knock and Bonnie Green Garters, before handing over to the local Brownies who gave a demonstration of Maypole dancing.
A new stick proved to be a little bit on the rotten side with one breaking a couple of times during Grenadiers, and whilst Geoff tried putting the blame on Paul, closer inspection showed the stick to be totally rotten and its failure was nothing to do with him! Whilst on the subject of sticks, Alex lamented that Nigel had left his special stick behind, the one that no one else dare use under any circumstances. Keith was dancing with said stick, and Alex had failed to notice that it was in his hands! 

Pics below show some of our dances & were taken by Paul & Di.

MAY DAY! ARTHUR’S STONE, CEFN BRYN

Waking at 4am to drive up to Arthur’s Stone to celebrate May Day is a little bit brutal but nevertheless necessary, on the day. Grey skies heralded change to a fortnight of gloriously sunny weather, but, we were fortunate that the rain held off for us to dance up the Sun, and what a dramatic sunrise we were treated to, with a bright red glow beneath the clouds on the Far Eastern horizon.

We fair rattled through 9 dances including Vandals & Sheriff’s Ride Lichfield, plus our own dance called Curly Boar which was created by Stuart Wright who drove all the way over from Ammanford to be with us. Hopefully he is pleased by our interpretation of his dance, and the tune put to it by Sian!

There was a small crowd of people watching us, which is always a pleasing thing, and Claire, our cake maker, brought some delicious flap jacks to keep us going until breakfast time!

By 7am misty mirky cloud started rolling in so we carried on to Port Eynon to have an early breakfast at Smugglers Beach Bar who did well for us, and it was good to see Ken Bond there, who hasn’t been able to dance with us lately.

Thought’s of a quick dance outside the cafe were scuppered by drizzle, but an improving situation at the King Arthur, meant we were able to dance there following an invitation to perform! We did 5 dances which included the ever tiring Step & Fetch Her, Valentines & Y Caseg Eira which brought a good end to the day. Well done to our musicians & dancers!

So, that’s the first day of May done. We just need to get through the rest of what will be a very busy month!

Pics by Di, Sian, Claire, Geoff & Paul.