The Strange World of Axel Fendersson

Ducklington Morris’ Day of Dance on Saturday. Signs were ominous in the weeks leading up to the day. Firstly, an unusual number of sides either couldn’t make it or had to pull out, and until shortly before the day, we were looking at only two teams able to make it. Red Stags then added their name to the list, but that still left us with lower numbers than usual.

In addition, our own numbers were looking thin on the ground, with more dancers than usual unable to make the day for one reason or another. Finally, the weather had been wet earlier in the week, and the forecast was not particularly optimistic for Saturday. It was looking as though the first year (of four) that Mike was able to make it down might turn out to be a bit of a dead loss.

Fortunately, things turned out all right in the end. Although our numbers weren’t especially strong, we had enough to get through the day quite comfortably. Having fewer sides meant we all did two dances per pub, but with four sides there was just enough of a break between each dance that we didn’t all get completely exhausted. The standard was good, too. All four sides (New Esperence, Shinfield Shambles, Red Stags and Ducklington, plus a token appearance from two of Brackley) put in a good showing, with Shinfield Shambles in particular greatly improved from the times I’ve seen them before. The weather held off, too. There were a few light showers towards the very end of the day, but otherwise it was dry and pleasant.

After tea at Ducklington Village Hall, some of our guests decided to call it a day, so we went on to The Bell and did a few more dances before concluding things a little earlier than usual and retiring into the pub for a session, which rounded off nicely a pleasant, relaxed and successful Day of Dance