toasting in towcester

Phoenix had another very warm weekend away, recently. We attended the annual weekend of dance in Northamptonshire, hosted by Rose & Castle Morris & Queen’s Oak, with many other guests sides. The Towcestrians Sports Club near Towcester was once again the base for the weekend. (26th – 28th June)

Friday 26th June was the beginning, where in the evening everyone gathered at the club for an informal get-together & dinner.

Saturday morning after an early breakfast, it was time to board our coaches for departure on a day of dance in the surrounding villages. Two coaches were needed to ferry 100+ Morris dancers/musicians and associated equipment.

The first stop for the day was Braunston Marina, where the ‘Braunston Historic Narrow Boat Rally’ was taking place. Lots of side stalls, a brass band, and of course the Narrow Boats themselves. After each side took their turn to do a few dances each, it was soon time to move on to the next spot of the tour.

A short coach drive saw us at Hartwell village, where it was by then lunchtime at the Rose & Crown (appropriately enough) Two seatings were needed to accommodate everyone. Time after, to relax in the sunny beer garden for a while, before it was once again time to depart.

The final stop of the day was at the Queen Eleanor in Wooton, a large, family orientated “Gastro’ type pub, with plenty of room to dance in the carpark. Soon yet again, it was time to depart and return to the Towcestrians Club for tea & medals. (Well, biscuits anyway!)

In the evening after time to freshen up, there was a ceilidh with the Oakstone Trio. As it was a very warm evening it was initially outside, with lots of room on the patio to dance. But a couple of sharp showers sent everyone scrambling back indoors again. However these quickly passed over, and people went back outside again.

Sunday was slightly more relaxed, and after a later breakfast and packing up camping equipment, it was on (under one’s own “steam”) to nearby Stoke Bruene, to dance next to the Grand Union Canal. Again, each side took their turn for a couple of dances each. Unfortunately Phoenix were a little depleted here, but nevertheless still put up a couple of dances “Balance The Straw” at which point, the by then remaining musician, suddenly had several joining him from other sides. All very welcome indeed. Our second dance was “Lincolnshire Poacher” Time certainly seems to fly at these events and all too soon, it was over for another year. Many thanks to Rose & Castle and Queen’s Oak, for all their efforts in making this another excellent weekend.

The following pictures are from each location in turn.

The weekend itinerary.

Who goes where. Phoenix on Coach 1.

All aboard please!

First stop. Braunston Marina for the ‘Historic Narrow Boat Rally:

Next up. The Rose & Crown, Hartwell, for lunch. Phoenix didn’t actually dance here. But it was nice to have a break after lunch, in the sunny beer garden.