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DAY OF DANCE 2004 Saturday 24th April 2004 Adderbury Village Morris Men Dancers / Musicians present throughout the day:- James Plester (Squire), Edd Frost, Peter Jordan, Ian Baum, David Trivett, Robin Wilkinson, Rob Southern, Paul Brierley, David Reed, Damian Peissel, Bryan Sheppard, and Donald McCombie. On Saturday 24th April the Adderbury Village Morris Men celebrated their annual Day of Dance. This was to be one the first years in a very long time that, even before the day, we knew there was going to be no fear of any rain whatsoever. As usual we met at Church House (or the Library as it now shares the name) and once gathered moved round the corner to Church Lane for the first dancing spot of the day. 10.30 Church Lane This is the traditional first spot danced at by the AVMM. We dance outside the one time home of the last squire of the Adderbury Morris, William “Binx” Walton, before the current revival. Dances Performed:- Sweet Jenny Jones Haste to the Wedding Constant Billy Stourton Wake Brighton Camp After the usual meeting and greeting of familiar faces of mainly residents (including the ever faithful Chris and Charlotte Holmes) we moved on to the next port of call which was to be Manor Road in the west of the village.
11.15 Le Halle Place - Manor Road (The Camera also arrived at this point!) This is was the home of Janet Blunt and it was from here that she would have almost certainly worked on and compiled her manuscripts regarding the Adderbury Morris tradition. The AVMM always dance at this spot, firstly to signify Janet Blunt’s major input towards the recording of the Adderbury Tradition and also to pay tribute to Miss Blunt’s one time maid, Winnie Wyatt, who saved the manuscripts from a fire at the house shortly after the death of Miss Blunt. She knew how precious the papers were and managed to rescue them just in time. Up until her recent death Mrs Wyatt lived in a cottage just over the road from Le Halle Place in Manor Road and the side would always dance for her to see. Dances Performed: Washing Day Hail to the Cheif The Beux's of London City The Buffoon, The Postman's Knock Shepherd's Hey, Lad's a Buncham Landlord Fill the Flowing Bowl.  Hail to the Chief - Outside Le Halle Place, Manor Road Moving onward to the next location, the first of the former public houses in the village on our tour. It was in fact a one time home to one of our longstanding dancers, Chris Garrett. His parents ran it from 1948-1954. It is now under reconstruction and in the process of being converted into a normal home.
11.45 The Old White Hart This was the spiritual home of the Adderbury Village Morris Men. Before its closure this was where we would finish our day’s dancing and many a good time has been shared here over the years so it was again sad to see it in the current state of just an empty shell. On a brighter note though we were very pleased to see the very first Squire of the AVMM, Bryan Sheppard, return in his traditional role of “Fool” he was waiting for us at this location and it was a great surprise to see him. He was making his first appearance with the side again after having been given 4 years off for good behaviour!!
Dances Performed:- The Roast Beef of Old England Old Woman Tossed Up in a Blanket Jockey to the Fair - Double Jig Landlord Fill the Flowing Bowl
Stourton Wake - Outside the Old White Hart We then moved on round the corner and down the hill to the next “Used to be” pub, the Dog and Partridge. Here we performed a handful of dances for old times sake before moving up to our first show spot of the day, The Bell, where we got our first real audience of the day.
12.15 The Old Dog and Partridge Now a recently converted set of luxury flats, this was at one time a watering hole for villagers of the west.
Dances Performed:- Haste to the Wedding Lads a Buncham Buffoon
Damian Peissel gets a pasting from Robin Wilkinson whilst performing Buffoon outside The “Old” Dog and Partridge. Onwards and upwards to the centre of the village and to The Bell. Here is where we usually meet up with The Adderbury Morris Men who by the time we arrive have started their show, thus giving plenty of time to get to the bar for a much deserved first pint of the day. There is a rather large crowd growing and various AMM are making a good job of marshalling the traffic through at various intervals between dances.
1.00pm The Bell After watching the Adderbury Morris Men finish their now traditional sign off dance “Shepherds Hey” we prepare to take the spot as they usher themselves into the pub for lunch and we take over to perform to the now rather large audience. This is the traditional spot for the now infamous Drinking Jig. At this moment a slightly apprehensive new Paul Brierley (new member) was bracing himself for downing a pint of Hooky in what is roughly 10-15 seconds. He manages magnificently as do all the members and we go on to perform a good show of Adderbury Village dances. Special credit must go to the Revd Stephen Fletcher, vicar of Adderbury, who was pulled out of the audience to dance Brighton Camp opposite our very own “Vicar”, the very Revd Bryan Sheppard. A good sport and, little does he know, signed up member to dance next year. Dances Performed:- Haste to the Wedding Lads a Buncham Princess Royal – (Drinking Jig) The Postman’s Knock Stourton Wake Buffoon Landlord Fill the Flowing Bowl The Revs Sheppard and Fletcher go head to head whilst dancing Brighton Camp Brighton Camp
After performing our sign off dance “Brighton Camp” we have lunch which was a crate of Baguettes supplied by Rob at Taste Buds, the village store located next door to The Bell. We give ourselves 20 or so minutes before we agree to meet up at the next location The Coach and Horses.
2.45 The Coach and Horses This location seems to get bigger and bigger each year and especially as the weather was so fantastic there was a large and enthusiastic presence here. The village green was full of people picnicking and sun bathing and the usual other attractions of the bouncy castle and ice cream van made it into a family atmosphere. Dances Performed:- Hail to the Chief The Postman’s Knock Old Woman Tossed Up in a Blanket The Bluebells of Scotland Brighton Camp
All Up - Brighton Camp, outside the Coach and Horses As the heat really began to take its toll we gently scrambled across The Green over the Oxford Road to The Red Lion. A one time village pub this has now sadly taken the title of hotel and largely caters for passing traders and guests. Even so it’s an open pub and we make a short appearance here.
3.15 The Red Lion Here we stumble across some very friendly Americans and Canadians who seem to enjoy what we’re doing. After a day so far spent in the company ourselves how nice it was to be greeted by two lovely American girls who just happened to ask to be photographed with us. Whilst on photos one chap, a Canadian this time, took a fantastic selection of photographs and a superb team photo. (This can be seen on the home page of this website). Thank you Roger!
Dances Performed:- Lads a Buncham Stourton Wake Constant Billy
The team take a time out for a photo call with two American beauties Here we leave our friends from overseas and by this time stagger round to the old peoples’ home. It is at this point that the younger members of the side worry that we may have to leave some members to take residency!
3.30 Lake House – Adderbury’s Residential Home The AVMM always like to call by here and perform for the elderly residents of the village. As it was such a fine day the residents were wheeled and fetched out to sit in the sun and watch us bake. They seemed to enjoy it and also rewarded us with more beer at which we didn’t grumble.
Dances Performed:- The Beaux’s of London City Old Woman Tossed Up in a Blanket Lads a Buncham Shepherds Hey Landlord Fill the Flowing Bowl
Should this man have really been given the beer? The afternoon’s dancing finished here where we drifted / fell apart in different directions. We would however be meeting up again for the evening dancing at The Bell at 6pm.
(Unfortunately the camera had had enough to drink at this point and collapsed and was sent home in disgrace).
6.00pm The Bell Dances Performed:- Sweet Jenny Jones Hail to the Chief The Postman’s Knock Landlord Fill the Flowing Bowl Constant Billy Brighton Camp
6.45 The Coach and Horses Dances Performed:- Stourton Wake Drinking Jig The Beaux’s of London City Shepherds Hey
7.45 The Plough Dances Performed:- Sweet Jenny Jones Old Woman Tossed Up in a Blanket The Beaux’s of London City Shepherd Hey Bluebells of Scotland The Postman’s Knock Buffoon The Roast Beef of Old England Black Joke Landlord Fill the Flowing Bowl Brighton Camp
Dancing finished at 9pm. The music continued, firstly outside until it got too dark we then moved into the restaurant where we were suitably fed and very well looked after by our hosts Roly and Sue at The Plough. This concluded a very successful and enjoyable Day of Dance 2004.
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