Once again at this superb community event which showcases an eclectic mix of musical styles and genres from musicians in the locale, we shall be there from 5.00. pm. till 6.00. pm. leading very young people in a celebratory procession to arrive in the foyer where we will deliver the inimitable Holt Morris Wassail Experience. Join us and you’ll love it.
Totally different from the wassail event at The Bradford Roots Festival, this now annual event, serves to help increase the fecundity of the trees in the relatively young Bradford-on-Avon Community Orchard. We are there, again from around 5.00. pm. onwards to lend powerful vocal and physical support to the enthusiastic organisers. In the past couple of years there has been considerable public support from B-on-A locals. come along and join with us in swelling numbers even more during one of Winter’s sleepier periods.
Organised by our newest member, Alf Windsor, this will be a spectacular day of dance, the details of which will become clearer as the organisation develops! But you may depend on locating us along with the many other sides who will be here on the day, by homing in on the inimitable sounds of bells, clashing sticks, melodions and whoops of delight from fellow onlookers, emerging from nefarious parts of the town. You may possibly even see us in one of the watering-holes inevitably linked to our energetic performances.
Since the dawn of time, we have been a fixture at this famous West-of-England event, and we shall be exhibiting two spots at the Bandstand and one at the Cider Tent (our now infamous early Summer Wassail presentation) throughout this, the first, day. The times of these events will be posted here as the programme is agreed.
Another of our main events will see us in various locations on both Saturday and Sunday. Once these have been finalised, details will be found in the Festival Programme. However one thing is already certain, you will catch us breathing heavily during the wonderful, extended procession which is an amazing feature of this unmissable event. We might even stop and pose for a selfie or two with you, if that is your desire. And why wouldn’t it be?.... Many reasons I hear you say.
These above represent but the bare skeleton of our public performances during this our 30th. year of action, date-stamped at this present moment. The flesh...further self-generated events, throughout Wiltshire and beyond as our committee develops its celebratory strategy, will become excitingly clear as the spaces on the calendar are filled. Watch out for them here!
From 8.00.pm. onwards we shall be giving our all outside this very popular venue, until everyone has had enough of us, whilst replenishing our fuel supplies from the facilities inside.
As we did at around this time last year, we will be meeting up with our fine dancing friends, Sarum Morris, at this very fine pub situated roughly midway between the stamping grouns of both sides. Perhaps, this time round, we may not be competing with the unfettered, straight-through silencers of the Harley-Davidson convention that met last year, exhilarating though that experience was. Who knows? It’ll be great fun anyway.
We had a great time last year, dancing in the precinct outside this glorious, welcoming Bath hostelry. And from about 8 o’clock onwards we shall be alternating dances with our good friends, the ladies of Somerset Morris, expecting enthusiastic crowds of onlookers appreciating the vigorous efforts of both sides. Hope to see a number of you there!
Nice Pub, just down the road from a couple of squad members. Nice friends in the shapes of Hips and Haws. Nice weather, we hope. Nice bit of clogging with a nice bit or two of Cotswolding, we hope. Nice company, especially if you are there. Nice time had by all from about 7.45 pm. onwards, we hope.
One of our primary Summer dance-out locations, where we always receive a rapturous welcome from our hosts. This will be our final dance-out before the August Summer break, although the more beady among you will have noticed that the first of August is, indeed, the first of August, thus breaking a rather long-standing tradition of August dance abstinence. What are rules for, if not to be broken? Come join us, again from around 8.00 pm. onwards.
The end of the traditional Summer break is upon us, and sees us returning with great pleasure to this attractive festival in a lovely part of the world. The festival goes on over Saturday and Sunday, but our attendance is limited to various locations throughout the town on the Saturday only. If your Autumn needs an early filip, join us from mid- morning onwards and your spirits will soar. Guaranteed. (Your locutor added modestly.)
Good souls look down! It seems only yesterday or the day before that we striplings set out on this curious, dance odyssey of ours. A goodly number, well at least one, myself included, had previously said they wouldn’t have been seen in any state, quick or otherwise, sporting the accoutrements of our particular folk-dance finery, during the Summer of 1989. And yet here we are, 30 years on from that inaugural Holt School Fete performance, spritely as never, admittedly augmented by younger, more vital members we’ve picked up on the way, about to show off our particlar style of Cotswold dancing, IN the lion’s den as it were, the very heart of the county that spawned our peculiar, esoteric fitness regimen.
So... Leafield, Adderbury, Headington, Kirtlington and Bampton...Are you ready?
See us, if your spirits are moved:-
Fri. 25th.2.00. pm. "The Fox," Leafield.
Sat. 26th.10.30. am. "The Red Lion," Adderbury.
(Possibly with the Adderbury side.)
12.00. noon. "Blenheim Palace" The East Courtyard.
(As part of their busy weekend’s entertainment.)
3.00.pm. "The Mason’s Arms," Headington.
Sun. 27th.10.30. am. "The Oxford Arms," Kirtlington.
(The Kirtlington side may join us.)
12.10. pm. "The Romany Inn," Bampton.
(May be joined by 2 Bampton sides.)
3.00. pm. "The Prince of Wales,) Shrivenham.
So... if you are free at any of those times, and mooching around aimlessly in Oxfordshire, shift your sense of purpose up a notch or two, and join us in celebratory mode as we bring to an exultant climax our 30 years of unalloyed dance pleasure!
We’ve been doimg this wonderful gig since tome immemorial, with the dedicated assistance of Bells Angels and Hips and Haws along with members of The Mount Pleasant Club’s committee, and this year is no exception.
Join us for good cheer, good beer, dancing. exhuberant carolling. and the possibility of an entirely spontaneous, unplanned rendition of an old favourite. "The Wiltshire Song."
It’ll all kick off around 8.00 pm.
A usual we shall be out and about with Bells Angels on this traditionally vibrant day in the Holt Community calendar.
We’ll be at-
Little Parks at 10.30. am.
The Superstore at 11.15. am.
The Green and The Tollgate at around 12.00 midday.
1.30. pm., or thereabouts at The Ham Tree.