Despite the cold and damp of Friday 29th November, Phoenix met to dance in the streets and add to the fun of Rickmansworth Winter Fair.

The streets were lined with stalls selling Christmas goods, food and drink.

Phoenix musicians valiantly played on as the dancers contributed to the festive atmosphere near Nero’s Coffee House dancing continuously for an hour!

We later moved along the High Street to entertain more stall holders, finally retiring to the pub to warm up…

A fun evening and a nice final dance out for the year!

The ravens weren’t the only birds at the Tower of London yesterday as Phoenix joined Pump House Clog to celebrate their 40th birthday.

They organized a fun day with perfect weather! Wicket Brood, Whitethorne and Hemlock Morris also joined the fun and together we creatled a lovely contrast of different types of Morris and costumes with a scenic background!

We particularly enjoyed a mass monkey with our fellow guest sides.

So many photo opportunities, our photos must end up all over the world as the tourists lap it up.

We finished the day with well earned cuppa and cake then homeward bound. As usual we did our normal dancing and playing on the tube – It had to be done!

Happy 40th Pump House!

After a summer off, Phoenix gathered once again for a weekend at Swanage folk festival.

Weather for Swanage can be a bit unpredictable but this year was ideal morris conditions – no rain and not too hot!

Phoenix put on a lively show as always at a variety of spots around town including a great performance of our dance Batchworth Stick at the Rowing Club.

On Saturday our day of dancing ended with the procession where the dancers were joined by their youngest member who at 7 months old was probably the youngest participant in this years procession and the only one to sleep through the whole thing!

On Sunday, phoenix ended the day by joining the ‘mass monkey’ then kicking off their shoes for the traditional dance in the sea which ended in chaos as our Foreman took a tumble, closely followed by the dancer who tried to help her up!

Overall a lovely weekend. Thanks to Basingclog, Marling morris, Exmoor morris and Rattan Hill who shared our spots and to the organisers for another great festival.

Merrydowners Day of Dance, London 2015

Name: Sue

Role: Foreman

Joined: 1985

How I Joined: I started Morris Dancing in 1978 – When I joined Phoenix Morris it was 1985.

Originally my husband Michael Stimpson was responsible for me joining The Morris. When he started Morris I said “ If you think I am going to do that, think again !” In 1978 I was set up one evening to attend a practice of Lord Pagets Morris a female Border Side, I never looked back.

I started as a musician with Phoenix Morris in 1985 when they were a male only Side. Then in 1987 Phoenix went mixed – partly my influence- much to the annoyance of many single sex Sides at the time. So I became a dancer. We persevered and grew from strength to strength to where we are today – a popular well established Morris Side.

The Cricketers, Sarrat 1985

First Dance Out:First ever dance out with Lord Pagets Morris up at Dawn on May Morning 1979 on Uxbridge Common.

First dance out with Phoenix Morris as a mixed Side May morning 1987 Cassiobury Park with Pump House Clog followed by breakfast back at the Pump House in Watford .

Favourite Morris Memory: There are so many over the years. One that comes to mind is dancing a very lively Upton upon severn Stick Dance on the glass tiled stage at the Britain’s got Talent Studio. We had huge cheers from the acts waiting to audition, I was buzzing with pride.

Britain’s Got Talent 2018

Another memory that comes to mind a few years ago was spending a weekend dancing in Viry France organised by Merrydowners Morris. We all had a wonderful weekend.

Favourite Dance: I might be biased but I love Phoenix Waves one of our own dances, followed closely by Upton upon Severn Stick.

Swanage Folk Festival, 2018

Name: Karen

Role: Deputy Foreman

Joined: 1989…..30 years ago this autumn!!

How I Joined: I joined at the suggestion of the then foreman, who I was working with. She was quite persuasive and my husband at the time danced with another side and I could see the fun that could be had, so wanted to try it for myself.

First dance out: Mmmm now there’s a question!
I think it was at an ale in Maidenhead but it was 30 years ago nearly, can’t quite remember!!

Favourite Morris Memory: At the end of a lot of dancing at Swanage Festival Phoenix celebrates by dancing in the sea. A couple of years ago one member tripped and fell in, losing her hat and getting thoroughly soaked. Caused great laughter with us and members of the public watching.

Swanage Folk Festival, 2014

Favourite Dance: Upton on Severn Stick Dance.

Three Horseshoes, Winkwell 2019

Name: Jo and Ian

Role: dancers

Joined: 2018

How we joined: We joined after several years of Jo procrastinating about it… Ian thought he would support Jo, probably thinking it wouldn’t last 😁

Living in Rickmansworth means we’ve seen Phoenix dancing at many local events. We have also known Sue (foreman) and Mike’s (Squire) daughter for many years so were aware of Phoenix through her. Ricky folk festival last year was when we first started talking about joining and we finally joined after the open evening on Wed 24th October 2018.

Thank you to everyone for making us feel welcome and having patience with us ‘old’ learners

Pirton, 2019

First dance out: Pirton may day in 2019

Favourite morris memory: dancing with chopsticks at the Coach and Horses Christmas meal.

Favourite dance: Ian – The Stomp. Jo – South Australia.

As we learn more this may well change.