This section of the site contains items of interest about the activities of the side. These may be simple reports, interesting pictures received, or illustrated accounts of recent dance outs and/or festivals.

 

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• May Day, 2011
• Wimborne Folk Festival, 2011
• RNLI Open Day Calshot, 2011
• Romsey Beggars Fair, 2011
• Milton Abbas Street Fair, 2011
• Red Shoot Beer Festival, 2011

Saturday 14^th May 2011 – Awbridge Fete

The sun shone as the Meddlars arrived in dribs and drabs in preparation for dancing at this regular, well supported local fete. 

We all followed the customary sound of bells and found each other, surprisingly outside the beer tent, where we were to perform throughout the afternoon.

All was looking good until someone asked where the sticks were…………….the bells went silent as everyone realised they were nowhere to be seen! Bob, our very inventive Squire, was on the case immediately and in the jangle of a bell he was walking back towards us with a smile and his arms full of newly cut sticks procured from a very friendly, local woodman who was exhibiting at the fete – our eternal thanks go out this man – Morris dancers with no sticks would be like tap dancers in slippers!  

So….we prepared to dance and dance we did – though some of the new members found it hard going on grass. However, perseverance and a smile helped - the crowd had no idea of this and were most appreciative of our efforts, despite some being hauled in for the audience participation dance which actually went very well.

Following the first set we all had a look around the fete which included a classic car exhibition and dog show - Milly & Evie should have entered in their Meddlar doggy raggies!! 

The sun continued to shine and many more people were waiting for our second performance which was most encouraging. Our ‘resident photographers’, Paul & John were on hand to document the proceedings (or they just liked being close to the beer tent), and we were away again.  

The second set was even better and many people asked if we would be doing any more. Sadly we couldn’t but many 2011 dance-out programmes were handed out so we hope to recognise a few faces around the area this season.