Traditionally, as with a lot of Morris sides, our season begins on May 1st. At 4.30 a.m., we gather at Park Farm, overlooking the Glem valley and Stanstead Great Wood, to dance in the dawn. After dancing, we enjoy a traditional farmhouse breakfast, before heading off to our daily toils.
Last year, we were to take part in the Walton Folk Festival at Walton on the Naze, on April 11th, an event postponed on the occasion of Princess Diana's funeral in 1997.
The rest of our season followed a familiar, and crowded pattern
Saturday 2 May - Rochester Sweeps FestivalSaturday 16 May - Bury St Edmunds FestivalTuesday 19 May - 8.00 p.m. - "The Cock", Brent EleighFriday 29 May - 8.00 p.m. -An Evening with the Haverhill Harlots visiting Cavendish: "Five Bells" and "The Bull".Tuesday 2 June - 8.00 p.m. - A Visit to Bangs and Jukes Country - That's Nearly NorfolkSaturday 6 June - 7.00 p.m. - Acton Industrial Estate, Acton, Long Melford (Our taste for the exotic knows no bounds)Tuesday 9 June - 8.00 p.m. - With Lagabag at the Polstead "Cock"Sunday 14 June - "Lunch time" - Melford Country Fair, Long Melford HallSaturday 20 June - All bloody day - Little Egypt's Tractor 'n' Trailer Day of Fun, (well it was going to be all day but the Midsummer UnCeilidh (not to be confused with the Horkey) has rather taken over.Saturday 27 June - All bloody day, again - Little Egypt head for the seaside - Southwold (Home of Adnam's Fine Ales)Tuesday 30 June - 8.00 p.m. - "The Plough", Hundon, probably with some people who know how to singTuesday 7 July - 8.00 p.m. -Saturday 11 July - All Day - Ely Folk FestivalTuesday 21 July - 8.00 p.m. - "The Swan", Henny, with Mount Bures MMWednesday 29 July - 8.00 pm.m - "The Crown", Hartest Tuesday 4 August - 8.00 p.m. to be confirmedTuesday 18 August - 8.00 p.m. - to be confirmedMonday 31 August - Lunchtime onwards - Mersea Regatta, Mersea IslandTuesday 8 September - 8.00 p.m. - "The Globe", ClareSaturday 12 September - 1.00 p.m. - Barking Power Station (now that's what I call a venue) Saturday 19 September - All Day - Manor Mill Morris Day of Dance - Cambridge and areaTuesday 22 September - 8.00 p.m. - To be confirmedSunday 27 September - All Day -Little Egypt Go Off The Rails - Travel by steam, and private lines, tooSunday 4 October - Noon onwards - King's Head Beer Festival, PebmarshSaturday 10 October - All Day - Horkey and Come All Ye
Monday 26 October - Sunday 1 November - Little Egypt went to IrelandThere was also our now-traditional session of dancing on Boxing Day, fortified by plenty of sausage rolls, mince pies, the occasional glass of beer and a tot or several of Schnapps, courtesy of our German friends.