DIARY DATES

2002

Rabble Diary 2002

3 February 2002 - Rabble Full Practice

Following on from a similar event last year, this practice day was identified for the full repertoire of dances to be performed in two sessions, as if we were out on a booking. This was to identify weaknesses which may not have been apparent during normal practice.
Full kit was required and a programme was drawn up so everyone knew what was supposed to happen.
As turned out everything when very well and even a change of running order, due to the appearance of a camera crew, was successfully integrated into the programme. Both the slots ran slightly ahead of schedule and we were rewarded with an early visit to the Pub.
The event was advertised on the radio and in the local newspapers to try and encourage new members. Three people actually turned up because on this and hopefully one new dancer will be joining us soon.
All in we did 18 Border dances, 7 Clog dances, 2 Rapper Sword dances and played 30 tunes.

24 February 2002 - Four Counties Tour

The fourth annual Four Counties Tour started at the White Swan in Walton-upon-Trent which is in the county of Derbyshire and the weather wasn't so good. A couple of border dances were managed in the relative shelter of the porch but then it was back inside for a clog dance and away to the next county.
The Green Man in Staffordshire was just as wet which prevented any outside activity. However a couple of clog dances an a border dance were performed in the confined space of the public bar before we left the football fans to their match and were on to the next county.
The Four Counties in Warwickshire was also very wet and because it was packed it was not possible to get a dance in although a quick drink was managed by the forerunners. Does that count ?
The last venue was the Black Horse in Leicestershire and we arrived a bit earlier than planned but it didn't really matter as it was still raining. Bar clogging and a border dance finished off the tour and still left time for lunch.

12 to 14 April 2002 - DERT 2002 in Sheffield

As the venue was fairly close it was a mixed bag of day trippers and overnighters that met in the Kelham Island Tavern on Saturday Morning to get a bit of practise in before the competition.
After a couple of warm up dances the circus moved to the Fat Cat, which was even closer to the Kelham Island Museum (where the competition was being held) and managed another swift half and another quick dance before an even quicker lunch.(Talk about fast food, the service was express delivery).
For some reason the competition was being held inside a tent which itself was inside a large hall, although there was a video link (including a bird's eye view)to a large screen positioned in another part of the hall. It did lend itself to a intimate atmosphere but it was a bit difficult to watch the live action standing 5 rows back in the tent entrances.
However back to the competition, the Rabble had entered in the open evolved and open traditional classes but despite a stirling effort, especially in the evolved class, didn't manage to come back with any silverware.
Highlights of the day were Fallen Angels chest tactics in the fast and loose and Black Swans performance and well deserved victory. (Handsworth Traditional Sword Dancers were pretty good as well)

20 April 2002 - Twinning in Lichfield

The Rabble went to Germany with the Twinning Association in 2000 and so we were keen to participate in the events when Lichfield hosted a reciprocal visit.
Following the mayors address, the Rabble performed border, sword and clog for the assembled dignitaries and multi-national crowd gathered in the Market Place. After a 20 minute spot we made way for the Limberg Emsbachtaler Volkstazgruppe, who treated us to some traditional German Folk Dancing with the Rabble finishing off the 50 minute spot.
Afterwards, it was more of the same at three venues in villages local to Lichfield (The Swan at Whittington, The Plough at Huddlesford and The Swan at Fradley Junction) with the tour finishing with tea and cakes at the Curborough Tea Rooms.

3, 4, 5 and 6 May 2002 - Upton Folk Festival

The Rabble have been regulars at the Upton Riverside May Bank Holiday Folk Festival for many years, and this year was again no exception.
Most of the side arrived on Friday evening but by Saturday Morning there was a full team for general dancing around the town until our mid-day spot outside of the Kings Head. In the evening it was the traditional BBQ and cocktail party.
For the Sunday parade we decided to try something a little different and nightwear was the order of the day. A quick change and we were ready for our official spot a little later.
Unfortunately we couldn't manage a team for Monday, so those that were left had some time to look around the stalls and watch a bit of dancing.
As normal the weather was good and everyone enjoyed themselves.

19 May 2002 - Etwall Well Dressing

Another regular event in the Rabble calender which is always well attended and usually has a good crowd of people.
Fortunately the weather was kind and this year proved another good event. Two spots were danced with border and clog alternating as per the normal format (as there wasn't a sword team available this year).
When Peter calls for members of the audience to join in, it normally means everyone disappears as if by magic but this year there were quite a few volunteers who danced really well.
As usual there were more peolpe watching at the first spot than the second as they tend to drift away as the day wears on, but let's hope those that stayed did so because they enjoyed the dancing.
Congratulations to Ann who danced out for the first time at this event.

7, 8 and 9 June 2002 - Wimborne Folk Festival

The last time the Rabble were at Wimborne was in 1997 and it is talked about with fond memories by those who went, even thought they always add it's a long way to travel, so the side didn't take too much persuading to go this year.
On arrival the caravans and tents ere sent in different directions, because of different levels to the site and th difficulty of pulling caravans up a steep slope, but despite this some common ground was found for socialising on Friday evening.
We were all there for our early start on Saturday, but unfortunately the public weren't but this was the only spot where this happened and for the rest of the day we enjoyed very enthusiastic and appreciative audiences.
Lunch at our spiritual home (the British Legion) was followed by a spectacular procession with the streets lined with people several deep throughout the entire length to watch and applaude the 40 or so teams taking part.
The evening was split between the ceilidh and the concerts with each party having a good time.
Sunday started of drizzling and got steadily worse. We managed our first spot but after that rain did really stop play which was a real shame as there were a lot of people about despite the weather.
A soggy campsite made for an interesting drive out of the campsite, especially getting up to the higher levels, but nobody got stuck for very long.
As those old timers said, it really is a good event and we shall be going back (if they will have us).

26 to 28 July 2002 - Warwick Folk Festival

This years Warwick festival was an eagerly awaited return for the Rabbble following their appearance in 2000.
The weather for the whole weekend was glorious and although this meant the dancers were wilting a bit by the final spots, there was no cause for any complaints.
As usual, there were various pre-determined spots around the city and on the camp site where the sides in the tours gave their performances and watched others doing the same. As normal for Warwick there were generally a lot of spectators watching.
The Rabble were in the procession this year (last time we were teaching at a workshop) and despite the delay getting onto the main road, were well ahead of time for the final dance spots in the park. This allowed the final display to be brought forward which caused a bit of a skeleton Rabble team for our spot, as a lot of the side had departed back into town to collect belongings and get a bit of shopping in.
An unexpected bonus on Sunday saw the Rabble escorting the mayor from the local church to the pagent gardens and being invited to the ensuing party for wine, beer and a buffet.
Another slight variation this year was the communual breakfast under combined awnings which was supposed to be a one-off but will probably become a tradition if the amount of sausages, bacon and eggs consumed is anything to go by.
This year also saw more of the Rabble staying on until the Monday morning to take full advantage of the festival events.

17 to 19 August 2002 - Whitby Folk Festival

Despite some slight reservations about the location of the campsite for part week teams (e.g. us) which was just about as far from Whitby Town Centre without being in the next village, it all worked out OK in the end. It was all downhill going and a fairly regular service bus back, plus the advantage of not so many people which meant no queues for the toilets or the showers.
All the Rabble arrive at various times during Friday so there were no problems with the generous 1 p.m. start on Saturday. There were not enough to form a Rapper or Clog side so it was turn and turn about with the other sides on a Border basis which was hard work for the dancers as there were only just enough.
The afternoon procession was certainly a long one but fortunately downhill and our third placing meant a fairly early finish.
Same again on Sunday really with 30 mins spot when we were with one other side and 1 hr when when there were four of us and then a bit of a gap to move to the next location. Sunday evening we were down to do a Ceilidh spot at 9 p.m and had to perform there early due to programme shuffles. Unfortunately there was not the large crowd that we had anticipated.
Spots again on Monday which we managed to complete on time, although it was a bit of a rush from the Crows Nest to the Captain Cook Monument in 15 mins.

21 September 2002 - Burton Beer Festival

Another September and another Burton Beer Festival, they must like us as we get invited back.
Thanks to Burton Bridge Brewery for sponsoring us again this year, and thanks to the organisers for the free beer mug and drink.
A little different this year because of a shortage of musicians (although there were some guest musicians who boosted the numbers) with the sword and clog being danced to just a drum or pre-recorded music. Normal fun and games with the PA kept us on our toes but it was all sorted out by the second spot.
Still a popular event with the Rabble and it was nice to see ex-member Alan up from "down south".

25 October 2002 - Halloween at Shugborough Hall

For the second year Ryknild Rabble Border Team were asked to perform at the Sughborough Hall Halloween Sooktactular. It's good fun to dress a little bit differently and change the name of the dances to be about about vampires, zombies and Buffy, so we agreed. There were the normal two spots about an hour apart with other turns (jugglers, ghouls and puppets) in between. By the second half we got into the swing of things with "interlude" music and a lot of noise.
It all seemed to go down well.

26 October 2002 - Morris Federation Rapper Workshop

There was a certain amount of unease in the Ryknild Rabble rapper team when we heard that the workshop was to be run by High Spen Blue Diamonds. Well,after all, they can step!
When the team arrived on the Friday night the Rabble soon realised that, in the words of the High Spen calling on song, they were indeed

.merry young fellas.

[O.K. The second adjective may be the subject of some discussion, but not here.]
At the Everards brewery pub they did

.taste all the publicans beer

but all were ready to display and teach the High Spen first dance to the people who arrived for the workshop on the Saturday morning, who made up seven sets of rapper dancers.
The hall was full and there was a good mix of novice and experienced rapperers that included a youth set. As well as the figures, stepping was emphasised, especially for the timing of the many jumps in the first dance.It was a great workshop, combining patient teaching with eager learning. There were lots of laughs, praise and friendships made and renewed.
Ryknild Rapper were delighted when High Spen decided to stay on the Saturday night to continue their educational visit to the hostelries of Burton upon Trent. Their calling on song also says

You've travelled this country for pleasure

Well, Ricky and his boys, were glad you travelled our way, it was a pleasure to be your hosts. Please come again and then maybe some of Ryknild Rapper might be

Fit to jump ower the moon.

but not after the beer in the Coopers
Thanks to Adrienne M. Moss for this report

29 November 2002 - Tutbury X-mas Lights Night

Several of the side are from Tutbury, so we thought we would do our bit at their X-mas Lights Night.
We were on at 7:00 p.m. and there were quite a few people about as there had just been a firework display and everyone had migrated to the high street to watch them.
Our first spot was in about the quietest place we could find (which was in between a couple of fairground rides) and our four border dances were enjoyed by a respectable crowd, although it must have been difficult to hear the band. (Who said good job ?)
After some refreshment, we only managed three border dances in the second spot, which was sandwiched between the end of the clown show and the draw for the raffle, but none the less there was a small but appreciative crowd.
A pleasant mince pie and punch supper was enjoyed afterwards by those who went chez one of the local Tutburyians.

30 November 2002 - Bedworth Folk Festival

Bedworth (or Bed'uth as they say there) is in between Nuneaton and Coventry and hosts one of the latest festivals in the calender.
This year there were only four dance sides appearing, so it was a slightly different format with three of the four sides performing the stage spots and all four performing at the outdoor spots,(apart from the Rabble who performed at all of them).
It all went very well, we were a bit nervous about the first spot as it was under the glare of stage spotlights and with mics and PAs and stuff but we soon got the hang of and really enjoyed ourselves.
The outside spots were hampered a bit by drizzle (and White Hart Morris who just wanted to keep dancing) but there were always a few people who stopped and watched.
We all had festival tickets but unfortunately only a few of us were able to stay for the evening performances and the ceilidh but all in all a very good event.

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Last updated on 07/12/2002