Dancing in the city centre (with permission from the Council) was a fantastic experience for all dancers, especially our new friends; April and David. The side danced 16 dances in total, and the musicians also provided a musical interlude, which went down very well. Many thanks to everyone who attended and also to those who stood and watched us, and donated money to such a worthy cause. At the end of the day, Dartmoor had succeeded in raising over £100.
A good day was had by all!
It was a wet, wet Saturday when Dartmoor Border ventured into the deepest, darkest depths of Cornwall...well, Wadebridge, to dance at the Royal Cornwall Show. Joined by Tarka and Borderline, we entertained the enthusiastic, yet somewhat soggy crowds. Though there were less people attending the show than in previous years, the morris sides still drew crowds: especially Dartmoor Border's shortened version of 'Cuckoo's Nest' for the Gurkhas.
After the dancing, the sun appeared (as usual) and Dartmoor joined the Young Farmers in the beer tent, and then headed back to camp for a BBQ (turds on sticks...) and a sing song.
Many thanks to everyone who came, and everyone who took photos. I was given over 400 pictures for the website, and have had to cut them down quite drastically! If there are any you would like to see up, please contact me, likewise if you would like any larger versions of any pictures.
The videos can be seen via our 'Media' page, or by going to YouTube and searching for 'Dartmoor Border Morris'.
The side danced a range of dances, including the new 'September 4th', which has become a firm favourite with many of the dancers and musicians (and hopefully the audience).
Pictures of the event can be seen in the 2009 Gallery; more pictures will be added at a later date.
The side met at 5.30am on Pork Hill. This year was a bigger turn out that last...side-wise, anyway; the audience was minimal. But, then, what sort of mad person would get up that early to Morris Dance?
For many of our 'new' dancers, this was their first out, and, thankfully, the weather was dry, unlike last year!
After the dancing, the side adjourned to Tavistock for a cooked breakfast, and then went their separate ways to work, home and bed.
Saturday saw the opening of Drake's Trail; a cycle/footpath which connects Plymouth to Tavistock. After much work, it has (mostly) been completed. Dartmoor Border danced at the beginning and end of the opening; and a couple of lucky ladies managed to rope Zac Purchase (Beijing Olympic Gold Medalist) into dancing Tinner's Rabbit. A good crowd was present, including the Mayor and Mayoress, Geoffrey Cox PM, a stunt cyclist, television camera, and, of course, a large audience!
A crisp, dry Boxing Day saw Dartmoor Border dance outside a local haunt - the Walkhampton Inn. Despite the chilly weather, the side entertained a large crowd with dancing, and then a music session in the pub. This was another chance for our newer dancers to test the ground and experience dancing out in somewhere other than Buckland Abbey.
A warm welcome to our new friends: Marie, Steve, Rosalind, Susie, Siobhan and Constance. May your L-Plates soon drop off!
