This was our busiest weekend ever, dancing at four different venues over the three days. Each event was special because it was home to at least one of our members, so we couldn’t refuse. We wore Union Jack boaters and used Union Jack hankies to mark the Jubilee. We even put together a new dance using larger flags, which almost went right on one occasion!

On Saturday 2nd June we spent the afternoon on the Croft Field at Hungerford for the Town Twinning Event. Three of our dancers were hosting French families for the weekend leading to a feeling of additional responsibility to put on a good show. (We needn’t have worried – by the third day and their fourth opportunity to join in they were as good as we were at ‘Quest’!) In fact, we must have had a record number of people dancing with us, as the maypole dancers had been given some previous practice too.

Weather-wise it was the best day of the weekend, though at the time we didn’t know what was in store for us.

 

 

 

 

Sunday 3rd June was forecast to be wet, and it certainly was. Having enjoyed a delicious hog roast lunch we were due to dance at East Garston at 2pm. Unfortunately, the heavens opened at that time so we were slightly delayed. When the rain had reduced to a drizzle, the musicians donned their protective capes and we danced to an appreciative crowd in the Village Hall Car Park.

We were joined for the first time by Naomi on violin and Sharon made a nervous debut as a dancer. Both of them have already made greatly appreciated additions to our team.

 

 

 

 

At 3pm we moved on up the valley to Eastbury, where once again rain stopped play. After huddling under umbrellas for a while outside the church an audience arrived at the same time as the rain easing off so we were able to dance.

 

 

 

 

Our third day of dancing, Monday 4th June was in Ramsbury. We began at The Crown & Anchor at 12:30pm having listened to the Ramsbury Silver Band and watched the Fancy Dress Competition (which was won by a little lad dressed as a knight on his ride-on horse – very cute!). After performing several dances for an appreciative crowd, we danced all the way (and it was a long way!) to the village square. After a short break we danced again, including a successful performance of ‘Mayhem’.

After our final dance of the day - most returned to The Crown & Anchor for a well-earned rest, refreshment and music-making.

Text : Jackie Breadmore
Photos : Robert and Micky Allfrey : Jon and Sharon Causebrook

east-garston.com  :  2012 archive menu   :   garston gallopers menu