Move on to find out about:
- The Origins of the Horkey
- Horkey 1997
- Horkey 1998
- Horkey 1999 (includes a more detailed historical explanation)
- Horkey 2000
- Horkey 2001
- Horkey 2004
- Horkey 2005
- Background Music: "The Ploughboy"
- Midi sequenced by Lesley Nelson Burns
- Acquired, with thanks, from: www.contemplator.com
The Little Egypt Horkey, as has been said many times, is not an attempt to rebuild a tradition which sadly died with the increased mechanisation
of our farms.
More, it is intended to be an evocation of the old spirit of the community at Harvest Time.
November is very late for a celebration of the Harvest,
if that were all we were trying to do.
But we prefer to see our Horkey as a turning point in our Morris Year -
the rounding off, the completion of the Dancing Year that began on May Day.
Seed Time to Harvest.
The Horkey celebration beins with the Dancing of the Bough from Church Green, through the village.
As with most routes in Glemsford, this one ends up near the Black Lion.
Pub Games are an essential part of the English pub tradition: Shove Ha'penny, Darts, Pocket Billiards, and, of course,
Electric Wheelchair Racing. Simon is an afficionado.
Sometimes he even gets them to work.
Neville is always keen to demonstrate his skill in such matters,
and amazed Simon with his manual dexterity and speed of thought.
Progressing through the Village the Men received a welcome invitation to Lunch with Biggles
where they were able to practise "Hollering Largesse" and a litle bit of communal singing.
Brian "Baggie" Stephens was, as usual, in charge of deciding who should lead the singing,
using his normal gambit of "dipping". Today he used the "One potato..." routine.
When it came to Impossible's turn, he treated the company to a silent rendition of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot".
Words, of course, are sometimes superfluous.
Biggles own contribution reduced the audience to a quivering wreck of admiration.
Sebastian was speechless.
Further down the road, at the Angel, the Dancing of the Bough came to a reflective and contemplative conclusion.
All were obviously moved by the occasion..
Simon and Impossible enjoyed a last gasp cgar before they are forever banned,
and the light-hearted banter continued outside.
But then the party dispersed to prepare for the evening of celebration in the Village Hall.
Ever conscious of the need for vigilance, under-age drinkers were turned away at the door, but a few got through.
People came from as far away as Newcastle, Harpenden, Salisbury and Cavendish to enjoy the evening.
The Horkey Band was on fine form, and in good numbers.
And the willing audience made sure another Horkey went off in fine style.
