Author: utang

London Marathon, April 28th 2019

We were pleased to be part of the Marathon entertainment (and to get a passing audience of 40,000 – a record for North Wood!). Old Palace Clog (from Croydon) and members of the Greenwich Morris Men joined us for our own marathon of almost five hours of dance.

Brian Stewart pipes the runners on their way

Mick O’Leary and Roger Hill dancing Nutting Girl

We are indebted to our supporter Anne Whitehouse for capturing this shot. A runner bearing what appeared to be a club or similar, leapt out from the race, clashed sticks a couple of times with Mick O’leary (left) then rejoined the throng.

The amazing Old Palace Clog acceleration tunnel. Weary runners entered the tunnel at one end and exited from the other at the speed of sound (well, nearly)

The RoseTree (with unsuspecting innocent bystander held aloft)

St.Dunstans Church, Cranbrook, November 11th 2018

We were invited to dance in St Dunstans church in Cranbrook as part of the Remembrance commemorations.

St Dunstan’s Church
Mick O’Leary (left) and Stephen Collingwood dance Nutting Girl, Brian Collins piping.
Dancing our only imported dance “Cuckoo’s Nest”. In the foreground David Williams (left) and Mick O’Leary.

Left to right: Jeanette Stewart, Jon Wimhurst, Andy Ellis, Brian Stewart, Mick O’Leary, Stephen Collingwood, Brian Collins and David Williams
The inimitable Brian Collins

Castle Inn at Chiddingstone, September 23rd 2018

Dancing “Rosetree” with unsuspecting member of the public.

Left to right: Brian Tasker, David Williams, Jon Wimhurst, “Alisa” (held aloft), Stephen Collingwood, Andy Ellis (minus waistcoat, don’t ask) and Mick O’Leary. A camera shy Brian Stewart is hiding behind David, top hat just visible.

We are indebted to Peter Taylor for providing the photographs.

Last orders at the Bree Louise

The Bree Louise, near Euston station, was a proper pub. Over a dozen ales, home made pies and none of that fruit machine nor background music nonsense.

Sadly it was in the path of the HS2 project and scheduled for demolition.

The North Wood Morris had the sweet sorrow of performing there on the 27th January 2018 – the day before the last pint was pulled.

Left to right: Jon Wimhurst, Andy Ellis, David Williams, Brian Stewart (recorder), Roger Hill, Janette Stewart (drums), Stephen Collingwood (The Squire)

Part 1 featuring the following dances:-

  • Saturday Night (hanky) – our usual opening number.
  • Country Gardens (two sticks)
  • Valentine (hanky)
  • Young Collins (stick – including throwing!)

Part 2 with the following

  • Balance The Straw (stick) – with a guest Morris Man who happened to be in the pub.
  • Bromsberrow Heath (short stick) – with audience participation
  • Cuckoo’s Nest (stick) – a Canadian import!
  • Bonny Green Garter (hanky) – the traditional closing dance for Cotswold style sides.

With a big thank-you to our friend Anne Whitehouse for this video.

Bree Louise, Euston, July 2017

Our annual visit to The Bree Louise, near Euston station.  A proper pub but sadly in the path of  HS2  and scheduled for demolition  in 2018.

Part 1 is being uploaded.

Part 2 with the following

  • Rose Tree (hanky) – with a lady from the audience.
  • Postman’s Knock (stick)
  • Highland Mary (hanky)
  • Bromsberrow Heath (short stick) – with audience participation

With a big thank-you to our friend Anne Whitehouse for this video.