BORDERLINE
MORRIS

In January we are still in Practice Season, but we do go out occasionally. On January 13th we blessed the orchards at Ostler's Cider Mill in Goodleigh. This is something we have been doing for several years and, no doubt, accounts for their excellent products.

April saw the Crediton Folk Festival - a favourite to start the season. We were lucky enough to see the Abbott's Bromley Horn Dancers and be photographed by Richard Palmer.



We celebrated St. George's Day at Barnstaple Pannier Market, and May Day at Ilfracombe's 'Jack-in-the-Green'. A week later, rain prevented us from visiting Bicclescombe Park. We returned to Ostler's later in May with Ilfracombe Red Petticoats to chase off the Devil for St. Dunstan's Apple Blossom Evening before our annual round of visits to bless the local Inns.




We started our Pub round on May 26th with The Rising Sun at Umberleigh and The Old George at High Bickington. The latter providing patrons to join in our dancing in the rain and tasty bangers to fill us!

This set us up for our first visit to the recently started Dulverton Festival where we met with Rag Morris from Bristol and Bloodstone Border from the Isle of Wight with whom we revelled.

June began with the Blackcock Inn, Molland when we inadvertently left without the grub they had prepared for us after dancing with the patrons. Sorry, Zena!!

Robin Sherlock took this photo for us.



Later, the Castle in George Nympton also provided us with dancing patrons.

The 9th of June saw us at two new venues, The Tarka Inn at Heanton where we had to scoff sandwiches quickly before rushing off to The Reform Inn at Pilton, were we also had a warm reception, a participating audience, more sandwiches and NO DROPPED STICKS!

Wimborne on the following weekend, and a small team of seven had a great Saturday but were rained off on Sunday!

Geoff Noad sent us this picture.



A bloke in the courtyard took this one!



The Ring'o'Bells at Landkey greeted us with a jug of Ale and, as it was raining, we cleared the Pool Table and did the first couple of dances inside. The Patrons came out to watch us when the rain cleared and joined us in a final 'Tinners'. The rain was off and on when we arrived at the Castle but we managed a reasonable set in two halves and finished the evening with music in the bar.

Tuesday June 21st saw us at The Grove in King's Nympton where we joined Winkleigh Morris to celebrate mid-summer. After dancing turn and turn about we retired inside for music and food.

Ben Snoep took these pictures and sent them on to us!







RHS Rosemoor invited us to dance at their Gardens on 26 June, where our vigour made us stand out amongst the foliage! This was a very warm day! Still, we managed to persuade quite a number of the public to join us!

Chris Pratt took these photos for us.









At the end of June we visited the Royal Hotel at Woolacombe and The Ship Aground at Mortehoe. July started with a visit to The New Inn at Roborough and The Cranford Arms at St. Giles-in-the-Woods. It was raining intermittently, but we got the crowd to join in!

We had our first wedding of the year at Warcombe Farm on the 9th and were joined by Sidmouth Steppers as the mother-of-the-Bride was a member!

We visited the Royal Hotel at Woolacombe again, this time followed by The Manor at Croyde where we were joined by the audience and given sandwiches! Thanks.

Next we went way, way off to Exmoor and visited the Poltimore Arms at Yarde Down, which was new to us and there was much getting lost on the way! Also the Poltimore Inn at North Molton, which was more familiar.

On the 28th of July we appeared at the Palm Court Hotel, Ilfracombe after dancing with the Ilfracombe Red Petticoats on the Sea Front.

A day at Sidmouth Folk Festival on the 31st found the side on holiday at the seaside. After the 'impromptu' parade where we stopped for a 'photo opportunity' courtesy of Treggie from Dartmoor Border Morris (who is very tall), there was dancing round the town.



Unfortunately, bad weather settled in over Devon, and we had to cancel a visit to The Chichester Arms and The Three Pigeons in Bishop's Tawton. It brightened up for our second wedding at Tapely Park, only to return and we cancelled The Chichester Arms and The Ship Aground in Mortehoe.

Our joint outing with Ilfracombe Red Petticoats went well at Ye Old Globe at Berrynarbor, as did a visit for the first time to the Westleigh Arms and the Old Barn at Bickington.

We were joined by Bideford Phoenix at the New Inn at Goodleigh and had an evening of music and song after dancing.

The last Festival of the year was at Swanage, where we tempted fate and camped at Tom's Field. It would have been quiet and peaceful except for the storm that blew up! The lucky ones were staying with relatives or caravanning.
Thanks to the Bournmouth Chronical for this group photo of Borderline, Exmoor Border and Foxes.



After a final visit to the Royal Hotel at Woolacombe, we had our A.G.M. on the 22nd of September, which was completed in a record time as we had to be out of the hall.

Now we are in Practice Season, and looking forward to New Members.



TO BE CONTINUED....