On Saturday the 24th October we were booked to dance in Highcliffe for their Fun Day event. As forecast, the day dawned wet and windy, but we clung to the possibility that the rain would clear by noon, the time we were first to dance. By eleven o'clock it was hammering down and I was beginning to wonder why we were dressed in our whites, loading the car with the rest of our kit. The prospect of dancing was becoming more remote by the minute.
If you live in Britain, rain is a regular companion and you get used to its appearance at the most inconvenient times. It does not always lead to disaster, however. On many occasions, we have set off to dance outs in the certain belief that the event will be a washout, only to discover that the sun comes out just as we arrive at the dance venue. Meddlars follow a simple rule - if in doubt, turn up. If the worst come to the worst, you can always head for the pub.
As we pulled in to the cliffside car park in Highcliffe, we caught sight of Sue Jeffery, head down against the wind and rain, running for the shelter of the cafe. We were joined by Sue Sims, who had an expression of glum cheerfulness. Weatherwise, things did not look good. Still, swathed in waterproofs and hoods pulled down, the four of us headed for the town centre. Sue's little terrier stared at us through the transparent cover of her pushchair with confused pity. We must be mad.
Shortly, we joined all the others by Mr D's coffee shop and rapidly agreed to shelter inside. Squire Pete declared that the forecast said it was set to clear up around midday. It was now after midday so we were not really encouraged by this. Anyway, we ordered coffee from the smiling girls in Mr D's, who said they were all keen to see us dance. Pete decided that we would give it half an hour, so we sipped our coffee and looked out at the flood. Just outside the cafe is a bus stop with a top to keep out the rain. A serious inspection of this confirmed that a few musicians might just find shelter there, provided that not too many people arrived to wait for the bus!
At the appointed time we went outside to find that, apart from a fine drizzle, the rain had almost stopped. So we started, with rather too many musicians fighting for space under Wilts and Dorset's protection. Slowly, the rain fizzled out and it looked like the forecasters had been right after all - just a little late. The session was rather damp but, nevertheless, a success. We had an audience and the fiddler's bow began to dry out.
After a short break, during which we made our way further up the High Street, we assembled outside Occasions, a card and gift shop, which is set back from the road enough to create a wide pavement. As you can see in the picture, the pavement was still wet at first but, just as we started the second dance, the sun appeared from behind the fading dark clouds. The musicians began to leave the shelter of the shopfront and enthusiastic spectators gathered across the road. By the time the dancers were finishing off our finale, the Upton-upon-Severn stick dance, the whole town was blessed with warm autumn sunshine. It is astonishing how often a potential washout can turn into a memorable day.
And so to the pub, the Plough at Tiptoe, to savour the delights of beer, chips, wedges et al. The usual healthy morris fare.
