Dancing the Dawn: May 1, 2005
The Time: 04.30
The Date: 1 May 2005
The Place: Park Farm, Glemsford
The Event: Dancing In The Dawn
The Weather: Inauspicious at 03.45, thunder, lightning, rain,
but by the appointed start time, cloudy, dry and clearing.
As the men and musicians gathered in the barn in that cheerful,
smiling way which comes naturally at such an early hour,
the Squire quietly briefed us on the dances to come.
Quietly because his head hurt.
We would start with Getting Upstairs which clearly some of the men had failed to do after the previous day’s trip to Rochester followed by a Karaoke evening in the Black Lion.
Staying with hankies, Banbury Bill followed. Stepping was delicate, hankies were waved with gusto.
With hankies neatly folded the Squire led the men in a spirited performance of Millie’s Bequest.
This was taken at a fair old lick as can be seen from the photographic evidence.
Even the musicians in the shelter of the barn were warming up now.
Four Up was simply a blur as the men rushed to finish before the official moment of dawn was upon us.
The Squire consulted his pocket watch and declared that it was indeed 5.23 a.m. and we would celebrate the arrival of dawn with everyone taking part in Ring O’ Bells.
Sadly the sun was obscured by thin clouds, but recalling the traditions of Dancing In The Dawn, The Plough was Sped - with gusto
With rumbling stomachs reminding the men that breakfast at the Black Lion was soon due, the final two dances, Vandals and Beaux of London City were performed in quick succession but with taste and accuracy.
A final team shot and another May Day dancing was over.
Tomorrow, Bocking!
Earlier May Days:
© Steve Clarke steve@little-egypt.org.uk 09 November 2005