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Owlswick Morris started May Day at the Rollright Stones just before dawn, as has been our practice in recent years. The Rollrights form a Neolithic monument, partly enclosed by trees and with a terrific view out across the fields to Chipping Norton a few miles away. (Our habit of dancing here on May Day started four years ago, simply because it seemed like a good idea. We asked the Rollrights Trust for permission, they were very encouraging, we have continued the practice since then).
This year, we enjoyed a beautiful morning, with not too much cloud. About five minutes after we started dancing the sun rose bright and clear, and at that very moment, the entire audience rushed away from the dancers to see the real attraction of the morning - the sun. Those who had gathered to watch us and the sun where mostly local, but others where visiting from Australasia and three had come especially from Bristol that morning.
After a much needed and delicious breakfast, and a walk over to Oddington
Woods to see the bluebells, we met up with Hereburgh Morris
at the market place in
Stow-on-the-Wold. The tour continued, punctuated by the odd shower, to
Longborough and Broad Campden. At Longborough, the children from the
village school came out to watch. The entire school, around 45 pupils and
their teachers, made a very attentive and appreciative audience, and
excellent dancers, too, when they were invited to join in with "Shepherd's
Hey" and a "Bromsborough Heath", a six hand reel.
Hereburgh, who had also been up since dawn, having starting at the windmill
in Harbury, headed off home after lunch. Owlswick, though, staggered on for
a bit longer and, after a leisurely supper at Sibford Gower and a dance or
two, their spirits rallied enough to make it to Great Tew for a few drinks
and tunes.
Next year, however, we may not be in the Cotswolds on May Day, so if you like the sound of the Rollrights at dawn, you'll be able to enjoy it in peace and quiet!
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Stow-on-the-Wold just after the rain stopped!
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New recruits from Longborough School Chris teaching them Shepherds Hey
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Ben and Delphine hook-leg while Julie, Jane, Jan and Tina can only admire! Richard, Lawrence and Steve provide the music.
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| Lunchtime at the Bakers Arms, Broad Camden |