Inevitably, while we are dancing there is no one available to take any pictures! If you have any photos that you would like to contribute to our blog then please get in contact.
Ringheye's 25th Feast of Dance
I've yet to sort through all the photos but, meanwhile, you might want to look at some videos
Barn Owl, Agden with Fidler's Fancy, Manchester Morris, Thelwall Morris.
Dog Inn, Peover with Earl of Stamford.
Railway Inn, Heatley with Thelwall Morris as part of the Lymm Festival.
Ringheye's Feast of Dance
Paid booking at Fryer's Roses just outside Knutsford
It was no secret to anybody that Ringheye Morris was in the same situation as many other morris sides. We were well established - having passed our 21st birthday several years ago - and our dancers and musicians all committed to the side. But our average age was rather higher than we would have liked, and it was becoming a case of minds being willing but bodies letting us down. Practices were almost an exercise in damage limitation, and we were preparing to dance more and more often as a 6 rather than an 8, just in case somebody had an accident just before a booking. We had tried the usual recruitment exercises: adverts and articles in the local papers, leaflets in the libraries, "taster" sessions, talking to anyone who looked interested when we danced out. We had even devised a 6-week course for beginners with the support of one of the local colleges, but all to no avail. Some of us had begun to think that the side was dying a sad but natural death. We had no idea what was about to happen! Early in September 2007 we agreed to teach a dance to some of the men of the Knutsford Rugby Club. They were to take part in their club's annual "Fancy Uniform" competition, for which they had not only to find a costume but also perform in it - and they wanted to do it properly, not just mess around. We all had fun that night, and they learned not only what they'd wanted but also that morris dancing is a good workout! We had hopes that just maybe one or two of them might give it another go - but no. However, on that same night, Karina came to meet us. Karina had recently moved to our "catchment" area, and had been looking around for some dancing. She had seen Thelwall Morris Men, and had been pointed in our direction by their squire - for which, eternal thanks!! She watched as we taught the rugby players, and when they had gone she took a place in the set and danced the first two figures - with style. We couldn't believe our luck. By December Karina was in kit and clogs, and danced out for the first time at our pre-Christmas do. Jodi was our next recruit. Jodi is slowly recovering from ME and making up for lost time. She had enjoyed a couple of the Sandbach Ceilidhs organised by our secretary, Lynn, and she had also decided that she wanted to try morris dancing. She had done her research by watching various sides and, amazingly, wanted to give us a whirl! More amazing, Jodi plays the recorder - she can read our unusual music on sight, and Trevor (our chief musician) definitely approves. So - two new dancers. Meanwhile, Jim devised a big publicity spread which was mounted on a large wall in the Knutsford Civic Centre. This serves as a cinema, dance-hall, information centre, and generally sees a lot of people through its doors. We put it up late one Wednesday night. The very next Wednesday, Janet and Linda walked into the Victory Hall where we practice, saying they'd come to see what it was all about. It turned out that they had seen the display in the Civic Centre barely 10 minutes after we had put it there - talk about timing! Janet and Linda are sisters, although nobody realised that immediately - and they are great to have around as they laugh a lot, mostly at each other. When we started to worry that we might not get everybody in kit for the summer season, Linda told us not to worry, they'll be there when we dance out - offering support from the bar! Just what we like to hear! Jan and Ian appeared next. They live in Knutsford so have probably seen us dancing over the years, and we've since found out that they used to come to the ceilidhs that Ringheye organised in the Victory Hall many years ago. Jan dances, very neatly and precisely - turns on a sixpence - while Ian plays guitar along with Trevor and Jodi.
We were already feeling far more positive and then, lo and behold - Shona arrived! Shona also lives in Knutsford and is a friend of Jan's. She is very laid back and good at following other dancers - a good thing too as we have not had the chance to really teach her much yet. So in a matter of months, the side has almost doubled in size! Practices are more lively these days, and we have overflowed from the small hall to the main hall. The increase in numbers has brought some new challenges, but they are ones that we are grateful to have.
Fund-raising ceilidh in the Victory Hall. All Blacked Up waived much of their fee to help raise money for Katy and the Knutsford Scouts who plan to go to the 2007 Jamboree - in Essex!
Day of Dance - Northwich town centre, Egerton Arms in Chelford & Jodrell Bank Science Centre.
Barn Owl, Agden
Dog Inn, Peover
For the first time, we were invited to dance in the procession at the Goostrey Rose Queen festival. The problem with processions is that, until you've done them once, you're not quite sure what to expect!
While waiting for the off, we had a chance to look at some of the other participants. There were plenty of them and obviously lots of work went into all the costumes and floats. The number of groups suggested a long procession but, in the end, it wasn't too bad.
After the procession everyone moved into the arena where there were lots of stalls and things to look at. A group of kids were enthralled by this Punch and Judy show.
Unfortunately, bad weather (and a certain football match) meant that we had to cancel our outing with Earl of Stamford Morris at the Salt Barge in Marston.
It was incredibly hot when we dance in Lyme Park at the craft fayre. Fortunately we had a goodly number of other sides with us to spread the load.
We had the best weather in years for the 2006 Mobberley Rose Queen festival. Which is a very good thing as Jenny, daughter of Julie (peripatetic Morris dancer and musician), was the Rose Queen.
The procession, travelling as it does all through the village, is always hard work but the sunshine and the happy crowds made life easier. And we received a tremendous cheer from the audience clustered around the boards in the field when we danced Little Lever.
Luckily, we managed to get on early which gave plenty of time for two of the team to get changed for when the Mobberley Ladies danced Mobberley - what else!.
And for Katy to get changed into her Hornpipe kit too. As well as dancing with Ringheye and performing the Solo Hornpipe, she has helped Joy at many practices trying to get the little ones in order - quite a gal.
Together with Adlington Morris, we performed for a group of children who live near Chernobyl who are staying at the Terra Nova school near Jodrell Bank. They are over here on a recouperative holiday organised by Chernobyl Children Lifeline. All the kids were very well behaved and were a great audience to dance for.
This evening we danced at the Crown Inn in Swan Green near Peover. This time the weather was kind to us and it didn't rain. We didn't have another side to share the load but we did have an audience to play to. And very appreciative they we too. Oh, what a difference it makes.
Today, at last, the new website goes live!
After limping along for ages on the old site with its inaccessible diary, we've finally got around to giving this place a makeover. We hope you like the new format
Many thanks to Keith for setting up the old site and providing much inspiration for this new one.