DIARY DATES

2000

Rabble Diary 2000

27 Feb 2000 - Four Counties Border Tour

Because of last year's successful four counties tour, a repeat event was planned for the millennium.
As the same pubs were not available, the tour took in the White Swan at Walton-on-Trent, Derbyshire then the Green Man at Clifton Campvile, Staffordshire followed by the Four Counties in Warwickshire and finally the Black Horse in Leicestershire.
Despite the worsening weather, the border and sword teams managed a performance at each venue with the clog side deciding discretion was the better part of valour in the very slippery conditions at the rain lashed last two venues.

4 March 2000 - DERT 2000

A bit of a walk from the accommodation to West Greenwich House and a bit of a warm up in a couple of pubs on the way, set the Rapper team up for DERT 2000.
The side was only competing in the "own dance open" category and was up against six other teams.
There was no doubt that the largest cheer was saved for the Rabble's dance and it was a very good performance.
The disappointment of not getting third or even second place was rapidly forgotten when it was announced that Ryknild had won.
A trophy fashioned after a beer pump handle is on its way back to Lichfield.
Congratulations to Graeme, Adrienne, Alan, Nigel, Alan, Peter and Clive and not forgetting musicians Helen, Ian and Mike.

19 March 2000 - Curborough Tea Rooms

A glorious spring day welcomed the birthday girl and the rest of the Rabble to the craft centre at Curborough, just outside of Lichfield.
Although there were not vast crowds of people, the passing visitors all stopped to watch the border and clog dancing.
The half time break was fairly unique because there wasn't a bar for everyone to rush to! Instead the team was generously provided with tea and cakes.
Whether the second half was better (or worse) for this, was difficult to determine.
Happy Birthday Lynn and thanks for organising a very enjoyable dance out.

8 April 2000 - Tutbury Castle

The Rabble were booked to dance at Tutbury Castle's opening day of the 2000 season.
As the ribbon was cut and the piper's lament faded, the Rabble performed a couple of Border and Clog dances for the assembled crowd. (Well half a dozen people anyway !)
After a bit of a look around and lunch, kindly provided by the Castle staff, there was another set of border dances before it was time to drift away.(The Musicians just couldn't resist playing a few tunes at the top of the North Tower before they left.)
A pleasant day out with lovely weather which all the team enjoyed. Hopefully a return visit is on the cards for later in the season ?

10 April 2000 - Carers Association AGM

The Carers probably didn't known what they had let themselves in for when they invited the Rabble to present a brief history of Morris dancing at their AGM.
Colin and Bob had prepared a talk with the team dancing at the appropriate time by way of illustration.
This started with Peter doing a Cotswold jig, then a Rapper sword dance, followed by clogging, the border team, some more clogging and then finishing with a couple of border dances.
It all seemed to go down very well, although it would appear that the history of Morris dancing is whatever you can get away with.
The venue was the guild room rather than the guild hall, which meant it was a bit narrow, but with careful choice of dances this didn't present to much of a problem.

15 April 2000 - Droitwich

The Droitwich Spa Springtime Folk Dance Festival hosted by the canal trust was the event, and the Rabble had accepted an invitation to participate.
Unfortunately the weather was not kind and as well as a chilling wind, it rained all day. The morning dancing was therefore confined to the under-cover areas in the shopping centre.
Lunch consisted of a pig roast and some real ale in the marquee and the afternoon dance spots confined to two sets on the stage therein.
The event didn't appear to be particularly well attended with two Appellation, one Cotswold and the Rabble being the only sides in attendance (it was rumoured that another side was there but they didn't dance in the marquee).

22 April 2000 - Tamworth Folk Moot

Easter falling on the same weekend as the Moot probably accounted for the lack of sides at this years event, with only five in attendance.
The Rabble were also down on numbers with neither the clog nor the rapper sides being able to field a team. This turned out to be a bit unfortunate as we were tour C in the morning; which meant little rest between dances for the border side.
After lunch wasn't so bad, as we were teamed with Anstey Royal Chalfonts and could dance turn about.
The weather, although threatening at times, held off and those who went enjoyed a full programme with nearly all the dances performed at least one.

29 - 30 April and 1 May 2000 - Upton-upon-Severn

Those arriving on Friday, after about 4:30 p.m., were unfortunate enough to have to set up camp in the rain. As the evening wore on, the camp site got more and more waterlogged until people arriving after 9:00 p.m. (only one of the Rabble) were put up in a lane adjacent to the field.
However, the rest of the weekend was glorious and everything, including the field, was completely dried out by Monday afternoon exodus.
Upton is very popular with the Rabble and there was a good turn out for both Saturday and Sunday with enough dancers to perform Clog, Rapper and Border on each occassion. There were even enough left on Monday to perform a morning session although none of us were awake enough to dance in the dawn.
With plenty to do in the evenings with the sessions, gigs, ceilidh or just socialising at the camp site, everybody seemed to thoroughly enjoy the event.

13 May 2000 - Lichfield College

A year on and it's a return visit to the Lichfield College Open Day.
As normal there were two dance spots either side of a refreshment break, but unlike last year it was only the Border side which was available in sufficient numbers to make up a team.
It was a glorious day with plenty of people about, and Peter even found four "volunteers" to dance Brimfield.

14 May 2000 - Wheaton Aston Festival

Wheaton Aston (which is on the way to Telford) was hosting its third Festival and the Rabble were putting in an appearance on the Sunday afternoon.
Although the Rabble were the only side billed to appear, everyone was treated to some Irish set dancing at the desiginated location (in the village centre) before we went on.
This event was well supported by the Rabble with Clog, Rapper, Long Sword and Border all being performed during the two spots. Although sparce at times, there were a few people about to form a crowd and it was nice to see locals coming out of their houses to watch.

21 May 2000 - Etwall Well Dressing

Etwall well dressing is always popular with the Rabble, and this year was no exception.
Due to the Brass Band having another engagement, the running order was shuffled a bit this year such that the Rabble's two dance slots were a bit later in the day.
As normal the first slot was at the Guy Gibson hall a the top of the village, at the later slot (the day's finale as it happened) at the village main arena.
There were still quite a few people about who semed to enjoy the normal mix of Sword, long and rapper varieties, Clog and Border Morris dancing.

11 June 2000 - Elvaston Radio Rally

The nice lady that booked us said they had had a brass band for years and wanted to try something different; so this year there was a jazz band, a punch and judy show and Ryknild Rabble.
There were three spots from mid-morning to late afternoon and fortunately the spouses of hardened radio hams were not so interested in the latest aerials that they couldn't spend a while watching the dancing.
A small stage was set up amongst the marquees which the jazz band took advantage of. However, because of the nice weather the Rabble performed clog and border on the grass outside.
As normal, the crowd died down a bit for the last spot but nonetheless it was a pleasant day out.

17 June 2000 - Lichfield Folk Festival

A different dance programme this year. No procession at the start and no massed stand at the cathederal in the afternoon, but various dance sites about the city.
The first spot was a lonely affair with just the lady in the flower shop and a few passers-by watching, but things livened up at the second spot, which was outside the George IV, more toward the centre of Lichfield. It's a funny thing but this venue was the first so far where our resident magician Peter was unable to get any volunteers for Brimfield, but he certianly made the crowd disappear!
One more spot before lunch was at the cusp (thanks to Janet for this word) of Dam Street and the Market Square and also attracted a sizable crowd. Here we were joined by a clog side which gave the dancers a bit of a break.
Although there were supposed to be two spots in the afternoon, the dance co-ordinator let us off the last one due to the heat and wilted appearance of the team.
Our normal photographer wasn't able to attend, so the pictures are mostly of us relaxing between dances.

15 July 2000 - Alrewas Show

A field, not actually in Alrewas but just outside, was the venue for the Alrewas Agricultural Show.
And a very good show it was, with all the traditional stalls and events you might expect at such an event with stationary engines to horses to marching bands to morris dancing.
There was a good turn out from the Rabble with plenty of dancers and muscicians (a good excuse to get out of clearing up after the Lichfield Mysteries perhaps), although the sword team couldn't make it this time.
The going was a bit heavy on the grass but the weather was kind and a fair crowd was there to watch (and join in with) the normal two spots.

28, 29 and 30 July 2000 - Warwick Folk Festival

This proved to be a very popular event for the Rabble with nearly the full complement of the side turning out, with even the Snark defector joining in on Sunday.
Most arrived on Friday afternoon / evening and set up a little hamlet with it's own green and community centre.
For the Saturday tours we were teamed up with Coventry Morris Men and Persephone and took turn about at four venues throughout the town, including outside of the castle to a bemused crowd of foreign visitors. The final spot was back at the campsite and because of the timing we were unable to take part in the procession; a mixed blessing as it was rather hot.
The first part of Sunday morning was taken up with a workshop, where two of our dances were taught to quite a few potential border morris dancers. We then joined Plain Capers, Silhill and Sgt Musgraves for all but the first venue on our tour.
With plenty of dancing but also time to take advantage of the other activities, coupled with a good athmosphere and facilities, everybody throughly enjoyed themseleves and would welcome a return visit.

23 Sept 2000 - Burton Beer Festival

The Burton Beer festival seems again to be a regular event for the Rabble after a miss in 1998.
This year's event corresponded with the barrel rolling world championships which brought in more visitors than normal.
The usual two spots were again scheduled with the now familiar mix of border, clog and sword. This year we were joined by Howard on double bass which certainly added another dimension to the music (and I'm sure it was not true that the only reason he was asked was because he possessed a rather splendid PA system which he brought along).
The slots were scheduled for about 20 minutes each, but in working to Peter's play list we managed about 40 minutes and covered most of the Border dances in the repetoire.
We hope to be invited back next year as there was a good turn out of dancers and spectators who all seemed to enjoy themselves.

30 Sept 2000 - Morris Federation AGM

As the host team for the event, there was not a lot of opportunity for the Rabble to dance as team members were engaged in "official" duties.
The morning saw the 23 guest teams split into 4 tours with dancing in Burton, Derby and Lichfield with a special Rapper tour in various Burton pubs.
After lunch, all tours congregated at the Bass Museum for the massed stand where all teams danced in turn.
This location provided the only time when all the participating Rabble members were together and so we managed a "Ragged Crow" as the last team to dance.
After dinner, the evening was rounded off with a ceilidh featuring Peeping Tom and caller Martyn Harvey both in fine form, with guest spots from Berkshire Bedlam and Hedingham Fair.

20, 21, 22 and 23 October 2000 - Limburg Oktoberfest

An early start on Friday followed by a 14 hour bus trip saw the advance Rabble party arrive in Limburg (which is twinned with Lichfield) and situated about half way between Frankfurt and Bonn. Whereas Lichfield has a 3 spire cathederal Limburg has one with 7 !
On Saturday morning the remainder of the Rabble, together with 3 Spires Ladies Morris arrived and we were able to dance in various parts of the new and old quarters of the city.
It was the normal format of Border, Long and Rapper Sword, and Clog with turn about with the Ladies team.
This trip gave the Rabble musicians a chance to play some North West tunes as they were invited to join in with the smaller than usual 3 spires band.
After a slightly later Sunday start, it was down to the Market Hall and the Oktoberfest where we entertained the assembled drinkers for a couple of hours whilst reluctantly cashing in our free beer tokens.
After a photo call on the steps of the Town Hall (Rathaus), the Rabble were invited to the local folk club where an evening of cultural exchange and social intercourse took place.
Following a civic reception on Monday morning, there was a trip to a schnapps factory, which included lunch and tasting, or a monastry visit to chose from. We all though the schnapps were very nice.
A quick look around the schopps and back on the bus for the 14 hours trip back to Lichfield.
We'd all go again

10, 11 and 12 November 2000 - Thrale Rapper Weekend

Friday 10th. November.
Ryknild Rapper arrived in dribs and drabs at the Lord Clyde in Southwark, where supper was waiting in the form of  fried things with chips. After a few false starts, the author found that Shepherd's Neame Spitfire was on draught, and spent many happy moments ordering more. The bar showed little sign of closing, but the author retired to bed at midnight. Others continued well into the morning.

Saturday 11th. November.
The day dawned on Ryknild Rapper still inquorate. Liz Williams was expected to arrive before we left for the city. Indeed her magnificent navigational skills delivered her promptly and safely with plenty of time for breakfast. The teams set off to find the crowds watching the Lord Mayor's Show, dancing for them on the pavement somewhere in London. Having danced, the weather took a turn for the worse, the heavens opened, and Ryknild repaired to the Bell, not 25 ms. from our first venue. Our enthusiasm was rewarded by dancing at a further 13 venues before dinner, including the Admiral Duncan, the gay bar that was bombed the previous year. It has to be noted that this was the first occasion that Iain Carter had danced with the team, and an excellent job he made of it.
Dinner was had at the Lord Clyde ( more Spitfire, hurray! ), before we left to dance at a further 4 pubs in Southwark in the evening. In the last of these, we came across an Irish Guitar-player, who joined in some jigs with Andrew, then sang us an Irish ballad in such an accent that no-one had the faintest idea what it was about. Closing time was fast approaching, so it was back to the Lord Clyde, complete with vocal section to finish the evening appropriately.

Sunday 12th. November.
Rising early, we prepared to clear the room of our gear, and then it was off to the London Eye, where we succeeded in queueing for a pod of our own. The " flight " took 40 minutes, but what can you do in a pod going round in very slow circles with 9 other dancers, in kit and with musicians. Thrales danced as we went over the top, then we followed to the obvious delight of those in the pods immediately in front of and behind us. We were even videoed by some people. All were sure that it took less time to come down than to go up, and we anticipated difficulties with the security personnel when we got back. There was no such unpleasantness, though, and we were free to return to the Goose and Firkin to wind down, as it were. Other teams at the Goose and Firkin were Insword, Mabel Gubbins and the Saxon Swords. A halt was called about 3:00 p.m., when we left to do battle with the massed ranks of veterans returning home from the Remembrance Day parades.

Thanks to Graeme for this report

2 December 2000 - Pickford House Museum

A "Traditional Christmas" was advertised and as well as the normal exibits of life in times gone by, there were special activities associated with this time of year.
In addition to carol singers, a mumming play and children's workshops there was the Tup Play and Morris dancing both courtesy of the Rabble.
The Tup Play is a mummers type play which tells the story of the famous Derby Tup (Ram), which was very large to say the least, being taken to the butchers by the farmer and his wife. It used to be performed around the Derby area by seasonal workers trying to raise some money for Christmas.
There were two spots for us, one at 10:30 which we performed outside in the garden and car park and the other at 15:30 which we performed in a very small room on the first floor on the museum.
Afterwards there was a procession down to the library where the chidren carried a model Derby ram and lanterns which they had made during the day.

10 December 2000 - Mabel Gubbins Rapper Tour

On December 10th, 2000, Ryknild Rapper arrived in Oxford for the first sword dancing tour as arranged by the all female team, Mabel Gubbins Rapper. The team, although relatively new in dancing years, are old friends of Ryknild who have danced with them at the Sword Spectacular in Scarborough and at the Morris Fed. AGM in Burton.
The lunchtime tour was well chosen for its selection of excellent city centre pubs with great wooden dance floors, good ale & food. Teams included East Saxon Sword, Northgate Rapper, Mr Leslie’s Sword, Coventry Mummers and Thrales, who included an ex- Ryknild member, Alan Carter.
Ryknild Rapper probably had the youngest sword dancer there in Hannah Moss and most likely the oldest as well. Ryknild’s other teenager, Iain Carter, successfully completed his second dance out, executing the “tumble” figure in the Winlaton dance so well that he was awarded the Mabel Gubbins rosette for “The most promising young man” [ ! ]
When asked by other teams how Ryknild had managed to find two new young members to dance out in the nine months since winning the Open Dance category at DERT 2000, the reply was, “We don’t find ‘em, we breed ‘em”.

Thanks to Adrienne for this report.

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Last updated on 19/11/2000