St Albans Morris Men

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Photos from our 2004 programme

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6:00 a.m. on 1st. May 2004 - "May Morning"

On Saturdays, we can't dance in front of St Albans Town Hall because of the market stalls. So we perform in "Civic Square" in front of the Alban Arena. Here on the left is the traditional shot of us with The Mayor of St Albans, this year Cllr. Jenny Stroud. Below, a selection of our early morning dances.
Photos: Anne Casey

Later on 1st. May 2004

To celebrate May Day, we had a Day of Dance with invited sides from both near and far. SAMM first visited our "local" pub - The White Hart Tap - where our favourite barmaid, Aurora, was lifted at the conclusion of Brighton Camp. Then, with Royal Oak Morris from Daventry and Old Palace Clog from Croydon, we moved on to Sumpter Yard.
Photos: Pam Glover

In front of the Alban Arena, later in the afternoon, everyone had an opportunity to show off their best dance. Left - Cottonmill Clog Morris.
Below (left to right) - Bedfordshire Lace Morris, Baldock Midnight Morris, Phoenix Morris and Wicket Brood Morris. (Sorry, no photos available of Woodside MM, Ramrugge Clog or Whitethorn Morris.)
Photos: Pam Glover

Westminster Morris Men's Day of Dance - 8^th May 2004

Left: SAMM dances "The Rose" in Paternoster Square on a greyish morning. Dancers - Gerald Farmer, (Simon Reynolds obscured) Chris Hillier, George Collett, Bob Combes, Mike Bennett.
Also dancing at this venue were Etcetera, from Enfield, and Thaxted MM.
Photo: Anne Casey

Above: SAMM at St Margaret's Churchyard, Piccadilly and Duke of York Steps. Edward Bennett danced manfully on with his arm in a sling. Good job he doesn't play the accordion! Photos: Anne Casey

Living Crafts, Hatfield House - 9^th May 2004

We normally dance three "spots" at Living Crafts - the first on the hard standing near the main stall area; the second in Palace Yard; the third varies.
Anne Casey's photos, here, show her preference for capturing small groups of dancers - rather than the more "traditional" approach of photographing a whole set.
Photos: Anne Casey

Photos below by Pam Glover.

The Hollybush, Redbourn - Mon 10^th May 2004

One of our Monday night pubs. Dancing in the gathering dusk.
Photos by Anne Casey.

The Old Red Lion, Park Street - Mon 17^th May 2004

Another Monday night pub.
Photos by Anne Casey.

The Hertfordshire Show - 23rd May 2004

After a few years, all photos at the Herts Show start to look the same. Not only the same scenery, but also largely the same dancers each year! We dance on "The Village Green" and three random places around the showground. What does vary is the weather. This year, somewhat overcast.
Photos by Anne Casey.

Visit by Moreton Bay Fig Morris from San Diego, California
Welcoming Barbecue - 16^th June 2004

Getting to know one another. A little wine and beer always helps!

Sue Hillier, Trudy Reynolds, Sandy Glover, (Trevor Adams), Marieke Thayer

Nic Nicolson, Juliet Bending, Jackie Nicolson, Lisa Tansey, Reggie Welbank, Jessica Hilt

Pam Glover, George Collett, Jessica Hilt, Chris Hillier, Brian Bending, Alex Boster, John Seaborn, Graham Lyndon-Jones, Reggie Welbank, Jim Thayer, Matt Frigon, Jackie Nicolson

Jean Welbank, (Chris Hillier rear), Chas Whitlock, (John Seaborn, George Collett), Brian Bending, Anne Casey, Alex Boster, Pam Glover, Maisie Peett, Marieke Thayer, Sandy Glover

Then the cooking started ... and finally, in the dark, some dancing. Marieke (MBFM Squire) shows us The Fiddler's Jig, and MBFM do a spirited stick dance. SAMM's 'Pershore' is too dark to show you!

Trevor Adams, Simon Reynolds, Jim Rose, Mike Bennett, Maisie Peett, Matt Frigon

Hilary Thurlow, Maisie Peett, Simon Reynolds, Jim Rose, Mike Bennett

Chris Hillier, Marieke Thayer, George Collett, John Seaborn

17th June 2004

A daytime visit to Verulamium Park and the Roman theatre, and an evening visit to The Cross Keys, Gustard Wood.

Henry Frigon, Jim Thayer, Alex Boster, Matt Frigon, Lisa Tansey, Gordon Jones, Brian Bending, Vamsi Potluru, Jim Rose, Marieke Thayer, Nic Nicolson, Kate Potluru

Jim Rose, Matt Frigon, Nic Nicolson, Henry Frigon, Brian Bending, Jessica Hilt, Lisa Tansey, Jim Thayer, Marieke Thayer, Vamsi Potluru, Kate Potluru, Gordon Jones, Alex Boster

Photos by John Price.

St Albans 'Folk at the Festival' - 3rd July 2004

Part of the festivities of St Albans Festival is called 'Folk at the Festival', and part of that is a Day of Dance within St Albans. This year, we did a mini-tour with Rockhopper Morris to Sumpter Yard, The White Hart Tap in Keyfield Terrace, and the West Door of The Abbey. Then back to the Alban Arena for a massed show and tea.

Photos: John Price

Standon Morris Men's 50^th Anniversary Celebration - 24^th July 2004

Have you ever gone for a day out and the battery in your digital camera runs out after one shot? Believe me, it's rather frustrating!
Photo: John Price

Linslade Canal Festival - 7^th August 2004

A really hot day, this one! English Miscellany, Wicket Brood and SAMM danced in the blazing sun in the middle of the field, finding shady spots to retire to. Trevor Adams found a great little leafy glade for his lunchtime rest.

Photos: John Price

St Albans Morris Men's Day of Dance - 25^th September 2004

For our Day of Dance this year, we were joined by morris men from Bedford, Etcetera (Enfield, Middx.), Greensleeves (London), Ripley (Derbyshire), Westminster (London) and Whitchurch (Bucks).

Photos: Pam Glover

The Day of Dance was tinged with more than a little sadness this year, as our Squire, John Seaborn, had died in office earlier in the month. John was a much-loved and respected member of our Club, a stalwart dancer and occasional musician. This was his third time as Squire.

In place of the traditional "dancing out" of the retiring Squire, John's widow, Bev, and their daughter Carim bestowed the chain of office on the incoming Squire, Chris Hillier.

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Photos from our 2004 programme

6:00 a.m. on 1st. May 2004 - "May Morning"

Later on 1st. May 2004

Westminster Morris Men's Day of Dance - 8th May 2004

Living Crafts, Hatfield House - 9th May 2004

The Hollybush, Redbourn - Mon 10th May 2004

The Old Red Lion, Park Street - Mon 17th May 2004