Much Wenlock 2003

The Mockbeggar group departed in the lead carriage to the Victorian museum of Bliss Hill. Soon we arrived at our destination and teams of morris dancers spilled into the entrance concourse and after much fussing and tuning, an order of performance was estabilished. Much gaiety and frivolity broke out as the dancers performed to the delights of the many visitors.

After sharp performances of Abrahm, Runcorn and Bolin, Mockbegger moved on in company with 4 other teams to the main street of the museum.

Here we peformed Ashton, Newcastle and Hepple. The performances of all the teams being interupted at regular intervals by the passage of a large traction engine and shire horse drawn carts passing through the street sending dancers scurrying in all directions.

Our performances being cut short here by the request from the BBC's Willam Hart Davis for quiet while they filmed his industrial heritage programme. The cheek of the man. That's one programme I shall be putting a cross through and sticking pins in my Radio Times. A morris dancers curse on the man, may his feet never stand still!

And so to the woodland glen and the delights of the steam fair. Many of the dancers enjoyed the excitment of the swing boats and chair-o-planes until their dancing slots were due.

Two more dances here then lunch. Yum, Yum.

After lunch back on the coach for the grand finale at Iron Bridge itself. The coaches dropping all the teams off at the main coach park where the team took up their positions for the grand procession into the town. The traffic being stopped by the merry constabulary as over 43 teams of morris dancers progressed into the town.

Once there we all took turns in dancing opposite the world's first iron bridge. Mockbeggar performing their hometown dance of Willaston Green.

At the end of the day the coaches returned the dancers to Much Wenlock school where after a freshen up and some food, a concert and ceilidh took place to round off the day.

The following day (Sunday) broke after a much warmer night, especially for those brave hearts sleeping under canvas.

The morning comprised of two workshops - Border and Northwest Morris. Mockbeggar told part in the Northwest workshop to learn the dance of Carr Lodge. A dance which we have been perfecting ready for the 2004 season.

And so to the end of the weekend. Only the AGM to go and then the many teams wound they weary way home with fond memories of old friends reunited and new ones made.