Diary events of

for 2011

New Year Ceilidh, 8th January

Persephone kicked off the New Year with a cracking ceilidh at Coley, near Halifax. Despite a new fall of snow the day before, the roads were clear and a good number of people came to celebrate with us. The caller and band, all friends of Persephone, made the evening go with a real swing with dances that challenged the brain and music that lightened the heart! Many thanks to everyone who helped make the evening a real success.

Morris Musicians Day hosted by Moulton Morris, March 2011

One of our musicians took advantage of this workshop day offered by Moulton Morris.

For most of the sessions musicians from different traditions were mixed up and there were workshops on Molly, Cotswold and Jig Dancing. For the North West workshop, led by Saul Rose, everyone was together, about 50 musicians in all. There was an abundance of melodeons, several accordions and assorted brass, saxophones and other instruments which add colour and interest to a band. Features of a North West band, which are fairly unique, are the variety of instruments and the drum. As there was only a handful of musicians from North West teams there was little competition when discussing and asking questions so it was a really useful session

Darlington Spring Thing, 19th March

Spring certainly came to Darlington city centre as Persphone emerged from the clutches of winter into the beautiful sunshine. We danced three spots in the pedestrianised area during the morning alongside local team Locos in Motion, moving on to the Arts Centre for a dance showcase in the afternoon. Here, about a dozen teams performed 2 dance each in a very warm dance studio, to an appreciative audience. Amongst the other teams were two sides local to us - Wakefield Morris and P.R.A.T.S.

Jenny's walk, April 2011

About a dozen of us turned up at Jenny's house near Bingley on a wonderful sunny day. We started off with a fairly stiff climb which took us to the picturesque village of East Morton, then gradually dropped down through very pretty woodland towards the canal and back to Jenny's for a well deserved cup of coffee and homemade cake. Jenny and Steve did an excellent job planning this enjoyable walk (and the weather!) in this delightful little corner of West Yorkshire.

JMO in Sheffield - 14th May

Joint Morris Organisations day of dance, Sheffield city centre

A bright and breezy day with only a couple of short showers saw about 60 teams descend on Sheffield. The improvements over the past few years have made the centre of the city an ideal venue for such events with its many pedestrianised areas. We thought the apparent lack of crowds might be due to the FA cup final but there were still many appreciative audiences. We moved to several different spots during the day, starting at the City Hall where it was rather deserted at 10.30, but we gradually moved down towards the busier part of town during the day, finishing in the main square for our final dance. Athough timetabled on our own for much of the day we managed to join forces with other teams a most of the spots meeting friends old and new.

Shepley Spring Festival

This was our second visit to Shepley, the previous one being the very first festival there. It seemed as if the weather was going to be better than we had experienced before as both Friday and Saturday daytime were quite bright if a little breezy. However, Saturday night and all through Sunday developed into gale force winds with heavy, squally rainstorms - there were some interesting looking tents at the end of the night! Taking the tents down resembled paragliding at times but all were packed away safely and, best of all, practically dry.

We managed to get in two full days dancing, alongside several other sides, some of them very local, a Highland dance group and a large, loud German style band from Barnsley. Spots were on the festival site and at two village pubs a short walk away. The festival hosted many well known performers both in the Festival Hub and the beer tent; ceilidhs were held in the village hall just down the road.

Whitby Spring Session

This small festival, based mainly at the Rugby Club, this year included two afternoons of dancing near the Tourist Information Centre in Whitby. 4 or 5 teams from different areas of Yorkshire gathered to entertain the Bank Holiday crowds, and despite unpromising beginnings, the weather kept fine for both afternoons. Although small in numbers, we danced in our usual flamboyant style and drew the crowds. Dancing was followed by some refreshment in local hostelries ensuring a good time for all!

Upton on Severn - May Day weekend 2011

A much better year at Upton bring dry and sunny all weekend! We danced along the riverside on both Saturday and Sunday and took part in the procession on Sunday along with a host of other teams - boh old and new friends. We did, however, decide not to take part in the daybreak ceremony and left it to slightly younger folk! Events in the town during the weekend included concerts, ceilidhs, workshops and sessions in some of the pubs, plus a little coffee drinking and shopping!

Joint Persephone/Great Yorkshire Morris weekend, June 2011

This joint venture was based at Bishop Monkton near Ripon. Each team invited guests - Persephone greeted old friends Iron Men and Severn Gilders whilst GYM welcomed dancers from Stockton and Benfieldside, both in the north east, together with a small contingent from Uttoxeter.

Saturday saw dancing us in Harrogate, Ripley Castle and Ripon both outside the Cathedral and in the Market Place, all with appreciative audiences. The rain only came at lunch time when we were happily eating at a pub. In the evening we had a great meal cooked by a local caterer, followed by a ceilidh and a variety of other entertainment.

On Sunday the sun shone brightly as we cleared up at the village hall. Some of the men elected to dance in Knaresborough whilst we taught one of our dances to the Gilders. All teams met up at lunchtime at the Bay Horse in Goldsborough where we danced and enjoyed good food in the beautiful garden before bidding fond farewells.

Rose & Castle/Queen's Oak weekend of dance

One of our favourite weekends with some of our favourite friends has come round yet again (we reckon about 20 years now!). As usual all well planned, with good camping, good food and good company. The weather was just right for us (maybe a bit hot on Sunday) and with a good number of us in attendance the dancing was not too arduous. Northern teams made up a fairly high proportion of the numbers this year - we obviously dance to impress!

Yet again we went to places we had never seen before, this time further south than usual into Bedfordshire, where we visited Woburn Abbey, Woburn village and Toddington (not the motorway service station, but the very attractive little town nearby). On Sunday we went to our usual spot of Stoke Bruerne to entertain the day trippers at the Waterways Museum and surrounding attractions. The greenflies seemed to like us too!

Evening dance out at The Sailor, Addingham

The only one of Great Yorkshire Morris evening invitations we could get to this year. A pleasant evening dancing with GYM, Roll Back the Carpet and ourselves in good weather was followed by singing and playing inside with a supper provided by the pub.

Earlsdon Morris 30th Birthday Weekend 16th - 17th July

Earlsdon Morris Men turned 40 this year even though they'd not realised it until earlier in the season. After meeting them at various venues over the past couple of years we were thrilled to be invited to this weekend, based at The Fleece in Bretforton near Evesham, together with Saddleworth Morris Men, Chinewrde and Silurian.The weekend took the usual format of Friday at the pub, Saturday to some beautiful villages such as Chipping Campden all on strict Morris time of course), and a meal back at the pub with plenty of lubrication and some home made entertainment. Sunday saw some more dancing at the pub before trundling back up the M1. good time was had by all - especially the Earlsdon men!

Whitby Folk Week, August 2011

Persephone was a booked team once again this year, covering Saturday to Monday. The weather was kind to us, sunny and warm with a pleasant breeze. We joined several other teams - Boojam, Fool's Gambit, Black Adder, Seven Champions,Boggart's Breakfast, New Esperance, Manchester Morris and Handsworth - over the three days at the Scoresby Monument, Captain Cook Monument and the Bandstand. We taught two dances at workshops on Sunday and Monday to a packed Seaman's Mission Hall where we had 4 sets of 8 dancers, performed at the early ceilidh spot on Saturday evening and again at the Dance Extravaganza on Sunday.

Many of the team then stayed on for the rest of the week enjoying the many events provided by the Festival before returning home exhausted but smiling! Our thanks to the organising committee for all their hard work to give so many people a great week in Whitby.

Sandbach Day of Dance - Sat 3rd September

Sandbach pictures courtesy of "Ammgramm"

A new day of dance in Sandbach was organised by Lynn and Ray, previously from Middlewich Boat Festival a few years ago. About 8 teams from various parts of the North arrived on a fine Saturday morning, walking into town together from the local school, used a the meeting place. Dancing was at several spots around the picturesque little town, and there were plenty of eating and drinking establishments for refreshment throughout the day. The dancing day ended with a splendid afternoon tea/feast back at the school. In the evening a ceilidh was organised, once again at the school. A good day out - thanks Lynn and Ray!

Sowerby Bridge Rushbearing - Sunday 4th September

This year we processed and danced only on the Sunday as we had already been booked for Sandbach on Saturday. The weather (always a consideration on a 5 mile procession!), although forecast to be doubtful, held all day for us, with the sun finally appearing on the last long haul to Ripponden. Unfortunately some advertised teams were able to make it this year, so there was a smaller number than expected. However, the procession was accompanied by a large number of people, and at all the places where we stopped (particularly The Alma) there were plenty of people to add to the festive spirit. Our two musicians played gallantly all day, providing us with a huge range of tunes to process to - many thanks to them both. The dancers, many of whom had survived Whitby Folk Week and Sandbach Day of Dance most recently, put on a great display right to the end. Many thanks to our small band of supporters who fetched & carried vital supplies!

Bromyard Folk Festival - 9th - 11th September

A second visit to this friendly festival in Worcestershire proved to be even better than before (hardly surprising considering the awful weather conditions endured in 2008!). Many of us arrived on Thursday, taking the opportunity to pitch tents on virtually empty fields, and using Friday to go for a local walk. On Friday night we joined the torchlight procession in town, leading the way behind the Town Crier (who had a very loud bell!!) and the Mayor. At the end, in Hop Pole Square, we performed 2 dances.

On Saturday and Sunday dancing was mainly in the town at different pubs, finishing with a short performance on the festival site outside on boards - which were a little dodgy by Sunday afternoon. On Sunday morning we led a workshop in the ceilidh house (another really dodgy floor, with people hammering the floorboards back togehter as we danced around them!), where we had 3 complete sets who learned "Blackburn" within the hour.

The rest of the weekend was spent socialising with many friends from other sides, going to concerts and ceilidhs, eating from some of the many food outlets or shopping at the craft fair. A good festival to end the main dancing season!