Saturday 24th April. A week or two previously, the weather had finally dragged itself out of its winter depression and had put on a smiling spring face. The forecast for the weekend was better than expected and when Saturday arrived the sun shone and the birds were singing. Better still, the Meddlars were dancing out.
The side had been invited to join several others in celebrating St George's Day (which was actually the day before) on the Mid-Hants Railway 'Watercress Line'. The line runs for about ten miles from Alresford to Alton, via Ropley and Medstead & Four Marks and we had been asked to travel by steam along the route, dancing at stations along the way. The company had decided to combine the attraction of an all-steam timetable with a real ale special. What a gift!
We set out early to be sure of finding a parking slot in the Alresford station car park. So early, in fact, that I thought we would be first to arrive. As usual, we were beaten to it and this time found ourselves being greeted by Bev, Jenny and Dave. We need not have rushed, for there was plenty of room to park. Other Meddlars continued to arrive and soon all but one were assembled in the station yard. By then, Yately Morris Men and HUMP (Hurst Morris People) had also turned up. These two sides decided that they would take the first train out at eleven o'clock to continue their dancing further down the line. Our Squire, Jenny, arranged for the Meddlars to stay at Alresford until after the first train had left, but then catch the next one to Ropley and dance there.
By now a few spectators had gathered, some of whom were waiting for the first train. There was a little while before the train left, so we all set about the first dance session. Yately Morris can be seen processing up in the picture on the right. Nice hats.
After our first dance session, we jumped on the second train and travelled to Ropley. This is where the main locomotive shed and workshops for the Railway are located. There is also a grassed picnic area here, which on that day came complete with some dance spectators. Ann had now joined us with her melodeon and we soon launched into our second dance session of the day. We decided to break it into two halves, separated by lunch, since there was a snack bar in the picnic area. This would still give us plenty of dance time before the train to Alton. Since the picnic area overlooks the workshops, there were a number of train enthusiasts present in our audience. There were also, of course, a number of engines opposite, emitting thick black smoke that drifted across the line - that's a proper carbon footprint. It was at that point I began to wonder if wearing clean whites was a sound move.
The beautiful weather and interesting surroundings were very relaxing and we nearly overlooked the time. Just minutes before the train to Alton pulled into Ropley we had to pack up and make a dash for the station platform. Thinking we had been pretty smart, we were frustrated to discover that a breakdown on the line ahead had enforced a delay of about a quarter of an hour while they changed engines. Still, there was a compensation - this train had a real ale bar! Where did Lyn and Dave go?
Eventually, the whistle blew and the train pulled out. Soon, we were passing a curious mix of bluebell woods, open fields and neat piles of railway spares, stored along the line to Medstead & Four Marks. Shortly after, we began the clattering, braked descent to Alton. I remember journeys by steam in the fifties and sixties but it's odd how time erases the noise and smell of rail travel in those days.
The platform at Alton is quite narrow, so we made our way over the footbridge to dance in the Station Yard. We were soon joined by Holly Copse Molly, dressed in black, yellow and magenta. At this point, Bob was transformed into a Molly man to dance with them for a while.
Molly dancing originated in East Anglia as a winter activity, originally associated with Plough Monday, the day when ploughboys were expected to return to work after Christmas. In truth, they didn't go back to the farm but, instead, indulged in an early form of trick or treat. This involved taking a decorated plough (hence the name of the day) around the houses of landowners and offering to dance for money. If these generous offers to dance were refused, they would plough a deep furrow across the lawns of the houses. As you can imagine, they rarely failed to make a bob or two. One tradition is that at least one of the men is dressed as a woman. I shall say no more, except to point out that Holly Copse have only one male dancer.
The picture on the left, shows Lyn, Sue and Sylvia encouraging a little audience participation in the Five Hand Reel. Spot the Mollys (or is it Mollies?). No, none of them is Bob - you will have to imagine him.
Eventually, our train back to Alresford was ready to leave and so we made our way back over the footbridge to the west-bound line. Having made the decision to postpone drinking to the return journey, I was somewhat distressed to discover that this train did not have a bar. I consoled myself with the thought of a beer in Alresford and looked instead at the beautiful countryside passing by.
Back at Alresford, we began the fourth dance session of the day. The sunny weather had allowed quite a few spectators to remain out and about, so we still had an audience. This last session in the warm spring afternoon was one of the best of the day.
Finally, we danced the concluding Upton Stick Dance and it was all over. While many then set off home, a few of us struck out for the Horse and Groom in town for final refreshment. What a great day out. Even better, we have been invited back again next year!
