The Brunswick, Swansea Town

Another Thursday, another summer (ish) dance-out by Sweyn's Ey Morris, and actually our penultimate Thursday evening dance of the season (sob). 

As the halcyon days of beautiful sunshine draw to a close, we choose our venues carefully and try to eek out that summery feeling as much as possible, before the weather breaks and it's all downhill to winter solstice..  So what better place to spend an evening than at the lovely Brunswick on Duke Street, on a steamy Indian Summer night in early September.  Post-covid (if that is such a thing) we've noticed lots more venues arranging tables and chairs outside, even - as at the Brunswick - on the street.  Very continental and brilliant for performing as it's easy for punters to step outside of a pub's cosy interior and relax in the fading light whilst at the same time being entertained by our raucous bell-jangling skills and jovial banter.

We were a little perturbed by one of the staff insisting on moving their car from the side street where the dance floor was designated (was she just being helpful, or was she worried about stray sticks scuffing her shiny paintwork - probably bit of both) but it gave us ample room to throw ourselves around and cause a bit of chaos without actually blocking the main thoroughfare.

We managed a typical range of dances from our repertoire of traditions, including British Grenadiers, Speed the Plough, Banks of the Dee, Lads-a-Buncham, Brighton Camp, Banks of the Lee, Vandals, Banbury Bill and finishing with a flourish, as usual, with Bonny Green Garters.  Brighton Camp was performed twice, the second time with a number of 'volunteers' who were keen as mustard to get stuck in to this crazy, sticky, dancey thing.  Well done to all who joined in, it was great to have you involved! Another fab moment was when we realised the ladies in one of the dances outnumbered the blokes, with four ladies and two chaps shaking their bells.  Possibly the first time we have all been in a six-person set together.  Girl power!!

After we lost the light, there was still time to relax over a nice cold beer and try to avoid the smell coming from the Biffa bins parked up close to where we were dancing..  All in all a lovely evening in a good location with great beer and friendly bar staff.  Thanks for having us!

Dancers were Alison H, Alison B, Erin, Di, Nigel, Alex H, Alex D, Ben, Ken and... who have I missed?!  Musicians were Siân and Roger.

Words by Di, photos by Erin and her family/friends.