On Saturday 13th April Sutton Masque headed up the A1 to Newark-on-Trent for the Joint Morris Organisations (JMO) Day of Dance – and what a day it was!
After the welcome Ceremony outside the Town Hall we danced our first spot outside the Town Hall with Bedcote Morris, Rutland Morris and Dukes Dandy Step Clog, before we headed to the river, which is where we spent the rest of day.
Our second spot was at the Riverside Wharf, near the Barge Pub, a very nice place to stop, and we danced alongside Bakanalia Border Morris, Makara Morris and Alford Morris. The ground was not brilliant meaning all the sides were being a little cautious, but it was a lovely spot by the river and passers by crossing the bridge received a fantastic view of our dancing.
Our third spot was at the entrance of the Castle and after the side corrected the Squire on which entrance; we danced alongside, Lincoln and Micklebarrow Morris Men, Chip off the Old Morris and Beggar’s Oak Clog. The situation was a little bijou (otherwise known as small), but we had great fun
dancing some of our smaller set dances. At the end Beggar’s Oak Clog lead us in a mass dance which was great fun.
Then it was lunch, so back to the Barge where food and drink was of excellent quality, The squire recommends the Best Bitter they had on, before we walked no more than 50 meters back to the Riverside Wharf, the place we danced at our second spot. This time we danced with Jockey Morris, New St George Morris and our friends from Bourne Borders. It was also here that Alan had an unfortunate banjo incident, one of the tuning pegs disintegrated, which meant that Jeremy was on his own, save for Chrissie on the drum for the last two spots, so a big thank you to them!
The last spot was across the bridge in the Riverside Arena and we were dancing with Leicester Morris
and Wharfedale Wayzgoose Border Morris, where admittedly we were glad it was the last spot! We did have a good audience and we finished strong with our last set of dances. As it was right next to the Car-Park most of us parked in we decided to miss the last Rattle Off, a mass dance outside the Town Hall and instead, you guessed it, head back to the Barge for a last drink and social, where other sides also joined us.
We would like to thank Trentside Holmes Morris and the organising team for organising a fabulous day which the entire team enjoyed.
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