Yateley Morris Men Log Book Archive
2001
st
1 Jan
A dry day and warm for January. An excellent crowd, as usual, and turnout of men, at the
Cricketers in Hartley Wintney. We did several dances and the Mummers play. We performed
for about an hour. Paul managed to get an assisstant nurse for his part in the play.
6th Jan
9th Jan
Our first practice of the year, we were doing Lichfield and Paul taught us Jenny Lind which is a
long and short stick dance. It was a long evening ending at 10:00. We had enough people for 2 8
man sides. We did try Princess Royal but Alan (foreman) forgot the sequence so it was a no go.
16th Jan
Another good turnout, although not as good as last week. We worked hard at Lichfield going
over the Jenny Lind and Milley’s bequest. We also went through the bower processional. The
squire was not there so Paul was C in C. We did some Adderbury dances, Princess Royal which
we were unable to finish as the music got in a muddle so we did Jenny Jones which although
getting through it, was a complete disaster, more practice needed.
23rd Jan
A good evening and hard work again under Paul’s tuition doing the dances we did last week plus
the Bare Footed Quaker. We also had a go at Princess Royal but had some trouble doing it.
25th Jan
We were at Southwood golf club as guests of the Farnborough Rotary club where we were
performing for them on their English equivalent of Burns Night/ We were only there an hour
and did 4 dances plus one they could do. It went down very well.
26th Jan
We had 4men plus music at the Woodside Ale and as usual it was a great evening, although the
floor was very slippery and the journey there was through snow and floods.
30th Jan
Paul was in Bali on his way to Australia so was not able to teach Lichfield and as Ross who was
meant to teach tonight was not there we had a very layed back evening going over some dances,
it was most relaxing.
31st Jan
Tonight we did a presentation of Morris Dancing to the Aldershot Historical and Archaeological
society which went down very well.
6th Feb
Another rather layed back evening but we did hammer the last of the Lichfield dances. We had
9 men and that did make dancing easier in ways. We had 3 musicians also.
13th Feb
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We started Ilmington under the tutelage of Graham Wood who courageously started us off
straight into Old Woman and then anew one, Constant Billy. This took a while for us to get the
sticking right but we got there. The turnout tonight was better than last week although we are
still starting very late.
17th Feb
Kennet Ale
20th Feb
Our second week of Ilmington and we had a good turnout, enough for two sides, and we learnt
two more dances. They were Cuckoos Nest and we finished bold Nelsons Praise. Graham has
more or less finished the programme now and Alan is putting this on the Web. Ross has got the
badges on order.
27th Feb
Monty was back today from his sojourn down under and the youngsters were practising again.
We had enough men for two sides eventually and did some more Ilmington including Old Woman
and the two stick dances from last week.
3rd Mar
Grand Union Ale
6th Mar
Another evening of Ilmington. It was noticeable that very few people were there at 7:45 so
some of us did the Ilmingtom jig Graham taught us. We had a couple of sides by 8:15 and it was
a very active evening. Those of us that remebered were in kit for a kit inspection. It soon
became apparent that only Peter Stapleton, who had new kit, had bright kit, the rest of us had
acceptable but somewhat dull kit. Some of us has a bit of work to do by May.
13th Mar
This evening we were in the WI Hall as we were double booked for the School Hall. However we
had a good turnout and did some good Ilmington dances. Paul got a card for Peter Storr’s wife,
Della, as she had been in hospital.
17th Mar
Two men went to the Albury ale which by all events was an excellent evening.
20th Mar
The last Ilmington evening and we did every dance in the repertoire. Comments were made as to
the poor turnout at Albury and the lack of commitment for events in the future.
27th March
A mixture of dances tonight including some Lichfield, Eynsham, Bampton Fieldtown and
Ilmington. It was a good evening with a good selection of men.
3rd April
A further mixture of dances to get some practice of our repertoire
10th April
Much the same as last week, however we did make a good stab at Princess Royal Adderbury.
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17th April
More mixtures, it became clear that we still needed to concentrate on our stepping but
generally we were doing well. Spent a lot of time discussing the Dance next Saturday. Alan
announced that the Web site was online.
21st April
today we had our pre season 25th Anniversary DoD for local sides both men, ladies and mixed.
We met at the Anchor at 3:00 and did some dancing, the weather was great. We went to
Hedgecroft old peoples home at 4;00 for an hour and then back to the Dog and Partridge
where with Hook Eagles, Mayflower, Fleet, Jackstraws and Alton we processed on to the Green.
After a massed display there we went to the Yateley school where we had a mix of social
dancing, morris and singing plus an excellent meal. Our thanks to Rod Ian Sutherland and Monty
for all the organisation of an excellent event
24th April
Our last practice of the season going through many dances, before retiring to the Anchor for a
beer and an excellent curry, a most enjoyable evening.
29th April
A bare side turned up for what was an excellent three spots at theFarnham Beerex. The
weather was great, the audience happy and we had a good time.
1st May
Up at dawn to sing in the summer and this year it was with another song done by Monty, it went
down very well. There were NO cars at the pond which made it even better, the weather was
dry and part clear but very cold. We were however warmed up by an excellent breakfast at the
Anchor. In the evening we were out at the Wellington Arms where we danced to a good
audience in fair weather and then entertained a packed pub with some music. We in turn were
very well fed by the landlord.
5th May
We got a side to the Guildford Summerpole the Squire takes up the story.
Cold North wind all day, but dry and sometimes sunny; YMM were only 7
dancers so we mostly kept warm (Michael Badely, Barry Young, Ian Young (no
relation), Graham Wood, Ross Healey, Tom Brady, John Brightwell) The music
(Rod Crane and Mike Musgrove)were less fortunate, and shivered through most
of the day.
We processed up the High Street to the Church, following HuMP morris, and
followed by Fleur de Lys (a ladies' side). At the front was the Summerpole
borne by Pilgrim, who carried also a barrel of T.E.A, from Hogsback Brewery.
It was a lot lighter coming back down the hill, after display of show dances.
We did Old Tom of Oxford, Bampton , after a scare when Pilgrim announced
their first dance as exactly that!! (It wasn't).
Later, Bumpus o'Stretton and Figure Eight Eynsham. The hosts found a young
maiden, Katie, who they offered as Maid of the Mill, so we six (tiring) men
did two Eynsham dances end to end, and Barry was so keen to finish, that he
tried to lift her all on his own!! His excuse was that the music was downwind, and he couldn't
hear it.
Squire was formally introduced to Queen Romer, on steps of Church and YMM
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Horse was not to be outdone, so introduced himself..and groped the Princess's thigh...perhaps a
little too familiarly?? We hope the stains will wash out~!
Processed halfway down hill, through Tunsgate, to Castle, and watched
erection.....of Summerpole. More dancing. , Old Woman Tossed up, Ilmington,
Lunch back at Star, followed by entertainments, by, for, and from the Morris
sides. Pilgrim parachuted, many sang, and Graham and John did two-man Bold
Nelson's Praise, Ilmington, jig.
Not to be outdone, Muzzy accompanied himself and sang Dead Dog Scrumpy,
which got laughs in all the right places...and a couple more besides. Afternoon session began
with a delay outside the Star, just long enough for us to do Quaker, Bampton before processing
after ANOTHER barrel of TEA.
How can all but two Morris men in a side forget their tankards?? YMM did!!
More processional, Winster, but with Heys, as well as casts. By the Church,
Church Green, Badby and Cuckoo's Nest, Ilmington, and others.
Back to Summerpole, and more dances, including Beansetting, Headington, and
Shepherd's Hey, Bampton, Lads a Buncham, Adderbury, etc No Bonny Green, as a rush for tea
(and biscuits). Wound down about 4:30 and left three YMM couples to the Barn dance (can't
spell caeiledh ceailedh ceiledh ceilibg).
Good to see Helen (with Graham W), Janet Young, Jill Brady, Jinny Crane,
Sally Young there for most of the day, and young Michael was commented on by
several people, both Morris and non-Morris..... all said what a good dancer
he was...if only he'd work on his lines he'd be damned near perfect!!
Michael's sister Rebecca brought a friend Helen, and Ross's daughter Emma
brought another fair maid, Jo; Muzzy was reminded of a Laura in his youth.
We all enjoyed a serious amount of dancing/horsing/drinking, and reckon we
put on a pretty good show. Beer at £2.40 a pint opposite the Church was
enough to send us back to the TEA, though the candle shop next door was good
value, when a young female climbed into the window to light candles, and
found YMM all puffing and blowing at the (outside of the) window. Barry was
huffing and puffing at something else, possibly because of the way she was
bending over, and his viewpoint!!
JohnB
7th May
A fair turnout at the May Fayre where we did a couple of spots. Ian Young seems to have had
his hat pinched at the event (more to come)
8th May
A good turnout and excellent weather for our dance at the Hop Blossom in Farnham. We even
had the Herald there taking photos. We did not manage to get a music session going though.
12th May
An extremely good day at Horsham at Broadwood’s Day of Dance. The weather was hot and
sunny, there were plenty of dancers and lots of dancing. There was then some food laid on at
Graham Wood’s house.
15th May
A fair turnout of men for Ballards Court where we were very well received as usual. We then
went on to the Forresters at Bagshot and had a reasonable audience, sadly no music afterwards
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though. Ias S was hobbling around on sticks after he managed to injure himself over the
weekend.
22nd May
A low turnout to start the dancing at Moulsham Lane Copse but soon improved once we started
dancing. The stop at Farley Hill was very good with fair dancing and lots of music afterwards.
The weather was excellent
28th May
29th May
5th June
A beautiful evening at The Queens Head Dogmersfield followed by a dance at a house in the
Village called the Catherine of Aragon as guests of the owner. We were welcomed with a pint of
beer and then we did Princess Royal, which went well followed by a selection of dances. We then
moved down the road to the Black Horse where we gave another good show and music session.
The dancing was very good tonight as was the music.
9th June
A lovely day for dancing at Wokingham and Hartley Wintney Fete. Our dancing was very good
and we were well received at both spots. We did the Bower Processional at the Hartley Wintney
Fete.
12th June
A walking tour of Sandhurst although it was a hell of a walk. The pubes were further apart than
last week but it was a lovely evening and a good walk. We did 4 spots and got two sets up for
most dances which was very good. We did not have a music session as we danced until quite late.
Belgium
20th Jun
A big gathering tonight with us going to Richmond to dance with Ewell, Spring Grove, and
Thames Valley. We danced at two spots by the river which was very pleasant. There was an
excellent receptive crowd and the weather was excellent. A good evening all round.
26th June
A great evening out with Basingstoke Clog at the Coronation Arms in St Mary Bourne. We
managed to get Dave Peart, the landlord, John Farrant, Gary Webb and Dave John, all ex
Yateley Men into a couple of Dances. There was a good music session afterwards.
3rd July
A lovely night out at Tilford and Sands.The weather was very warm and we had an excellent
audience.
10th July
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Yateley Morris Men Log Book Archive
A pleasant evening at Tockington Court and Hartley Wintney. A good turnout of men and a fair
audience. We had a good music session at the Cricketers afterwards,
17th July
A very wet evening but it did stop for us to a bit of dancing but although we had a good
audience, and food was provided for us at the Sandrock the weather spoilt it a bit. We did have
an excellent music session though.
24th July
A fair evening weather wise and special as it was a boys reunion evening organised by Monty.
Not all our ex boys side could make it but we saw Gareth and Huw Lloyd, Elliot Brady, Tom
Neaser, Stuart Sutherland, Richard Young amongst the boys that came. They managed a dance
during the evening and had a good tie. There was some music afterwards and the publican was
most keen to see us.
31st July
A very hot evening at Vapery Lane in Pirbright but we were given a very warm welcome, who
could forget the girl in the red dress with the lovely legs, a Maid of the Mill was considered to
be pushing it too far however. They very much want us next year and have promised us some
beer. We then went to The Fox where we were to have met Pilgrim but that had fallen through.
We did a long spot followed by a later one for a latecomer, no Music although plenty of men
turned out
7th Aug
A minimum turnout for the first spot at Chalky lane Crondall, due to some people going to next
week's venue. However eventually we got a good side for an excellent evening with a good music
session at the Hampshire Arms in Crondall. The weather was warm and the audience fair. We
were then treated to a plate of roast potatoes and a special kind of Yorkshire pudding with
lashings of hot gravy, very nice indeed.
14th Aug
21st Aug
28th Aug
4th Sept
An excellent evening at The Toad and Stumps with two dance sessions and some music
afterwards. It was of course dark quite early but this did not discourage the 12 dancers and 4
musicians from giving an excellent performance
11th Sept
A brief practice then it was Day of Dance business until the Anchor called.
15th / 16th Sept
Our Day of Dance. It was a hot sunny day and despite some hiccups to begin with the tours left
on time and we had an excellent time. As guests we has Winchester, Monkseaton, Ewell, Spring
Grove, Icknield Way, Green Man, Thames Valley and 24 Men from Yateley. We had a tour in
the Meon Valley thanks to Monty and one in Wokingham area. The spots on both tours were
very good and well appreciated. The dancing was excellent and the massed display, which was
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opened by the Mayor, was much appreciated as always. For the men left on Sunday we had a trip
to Blackbushe market and then lunch at the Anchor thanks to Geoff and Diane.
18th Sept
Our first practice night and it was Bledington tonight going over stepping, hook legs and then
we did Skirmish. A short notices so lots of practice. It was nice to see Charles and Nigel back
again.
25th Sept
Some more Bledington tonight going over some steps and then doing some distinctive figures
before launching into William and Nancy. Before the end a show side got up to demonstrate The
Lass of Richmond Hill. We had enough for two sides and three musicians, a good turnout.
2nd Oct
The AGM tonight and all went well. The existing officers remain and Alan Green received the
Morris man of the year Tankard. Much beer was passed around and the meeting ended at 10:15
approx. All details can be seen in the AGM minutes.
5th Oct
Tonight nine men set off for Okehampton, in a minibus, ( courtesy of Ross and the Blackwater
Valley Scouts) for a weekend of dancing, They were John Brightwell, Paul Montague, Steve
Betts, Ross Healey, Graham Wood, Alan Green, Rob Acreman, Mike Musgrove and Tom Brady.
The journey there was a bit wet but we made good time and were at Okehampton Youth Hostel,
where we were staying by 9:30. We were guests of the Dartington men and were with Bristol
and King John's men. We were then fed and watered before taking a trip to the local for a beer
and some singing before returning to the hostel for some sleep at about 12:00
6th Oct
Today started off a bit dull but not too bad and after a hearty breakfast we set off in the
minibus for our first spot. The theme of the day was to dance at the churches mentioned in the
song "The Men of Northlew" which was about a bell ringing competition. The first church was
in Northlew and the bells were rung before we did a bit of dancing. We then moved on from
there to Ashwater, Broadwood, Launceston and Callington although the bells only rang again in
Callington where a small competition was held. The dancing was good throughout as was the
music. After Callington we paid a visit tio Kitt Hill where we briefly got out of the bus only to
get blown about by the strong wind then we went to Lydford gorge where a short walk took us
down to the bottom of the gorge and a most spectacular site of a waterfall. The journey was
quite eventful as Rob threatened to throw Muzzy's umbrella out of the window unless he
stopped to let Rob have a pee, he was quite desperate. We then returned to the hostel where
we had a feast and then some songs before departing to the village hall for some dancing which
we did well. We left there about 11:00 and returned to the hostel for bed.
7th Oct
Sunday started ok and some of us went to the town for a quick look round but it started to rain
at about 10:30. We were due to have a steam train ride from the station outside the hostel,
the hostel was part of the station, which we duly had. This went to a viaduct which a few of us
looked at in the rain before returning. We then did three dances on the platform, the only side
of the three that did any dancing. We then had some refreshment in the café before a very
went and windy trip home. It was agreed by all to have been an excellent weekend
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Yateley Morris Men Log Book Archive
9th Oct
Spent most of the evening learning 'The Lass of Richmond Hill'. Not an easy dance but a
particularly nice one. We also did a bit of revision of the other dances. There were not a lot of
men there but it enabled more concentration on the dance as those that were there were the
less experienced dancers.
16th Oct
More Bledington tonight, we had another go at Lass and it went quite well. We then tackled
Black Joke which also went well even though it was a slightly easier dance. We had two sides
there which was better than last week. We discussed the charities we were going to give to but
there is still more to talk about, although chase seems to be a popular choice at the moment.
23rd Oct
Another week of Bledington with a recap of all dances and yet again concentrating on Lass. It
still needs some polish but is improving. Black Joker looked very good. We had enough men for
two sides again which was good. The evening ended with a go at the Lumps of Plum Pudding jig.
More discussion on the dispersal of funds to charity at notices but otherwise nothing special
happened.
30th Oct
The last week of Bledington, sadly we just had enough for one side but we did manage to go
through the whole Bledington repertoire and learn the Hey Diddle Dis processional. The dancing
was good. A decision was made regarding charities and that was to give some to Frimley Park
Hospital for a PET scanner, some to the local Health Centre and some to CHASE for a scented
garden.
6th November
After a quick Millies Bequest with three 'round in fours' for a warm up we started Eynsham
practice, which as usual found us all knackered and glad of notices. We then did some
Bledington for a rest which went very well, as indeed did the whole evening. We had more
people there also, enough for two sides
7th November
A meeting for foremen of dance to discuss the dancing programme for the year, a most useful
get together, there will be some good dances next year, to look forward to.
13th November
A very good turnout of men with lots of dancing, working hard on Eynsham and doing other
traditions also. Ross is concentrating on the basic stepping and figures at the moment which
still needs work. A mummers meeting was convened at the end of practice in preparation for
Christmas.
20th November
An excellent turnout for an excellent evening of Eynsham. This at least allowed us to have a
rest while another side was up. We got Feathers cracked which was great and looked very good.
We had a quiet notices, only point to note is that the Germans are coming next year.
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Yateley Morris Men Log Book Archive
27th November
'Ross continued working on a new 'Feathers' variant and the dance shows
great promise and is popular with dancers. The musicians had obviously
worked on the tune and this was much improved and appreciated. Some work on
the Poacher and a little bit of playing around with a Brighton Camp
variation and how to hold the sticks for a sticky. Tom continues to call
dances, which is great !
Abbreviated dancing as the squire handed out new braid and we had two run
throughs of the mummers play
News that our mate Dave Bates is GUMM foreman of Eynsham and is now deep
in instruction'
2nd December
We were dancing with a number of other sides at the Wokingham Winter Carnival, an event we
have been to before. It was well attended throughout the day and we managed to put on three
shows of the Mummers play and some very good dancing. The day was slightly marred by the
squires temporary loss of his bells, a hanky and his badge of office. The weather was not as
cold as has been at this event.
4th December
More Eynsham and Ross was tearing his hair out trying to get us to do The Poacher, but we got
there in the end, sort of. The Feathers went down very well as did other dances done in the
evening, even if they were not all Eynsham.
11th December
A good turnout tonight and a good mixture of dances from all traditions. We had two false
starts at Princess Royal Adderbury but we will get it right eventually. The rest of the dancing
went fairly well although we made a few mistakes. We did mainly hanky dances as the sticks
were left at Ross's and they were not collected until about 9:30. The evening ended abruptly at
10:00 with the fire alarms going off in the middle of Ring o Bells so we all got out and went up
to the Anchor where Graham, whose fiftieth birthday it was, bought us all a pint.
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