Morris Dancers and Narrowboats - Banbury Canal Day 2011

"Poetry is everywhere; it just needs editing." - James Tate

Last Sunday afternoon Joe and I drove into Banbury for their annual Canal Day festival. Each year they have a theme and this year it was 'A Right Royal Occasion'. Celebrating the very best of Red, White and Blue.

It is a huge event that is regularly attended by at least 10,000 people, with narrowboats and people coming from miles around. This years glorious sunshine was perfect for the celebrations.

So without further ado, please join me for a stroll through this years Banbury Canal Day.

There were people everywhere, and music playing. . .

This lady was spinning, seemingly oblivious to the crowds. . .

These gents deep in discussion about their steam engines. . .

Ladies selling tradionally painted bargeware.

This owl seemed totally unphased by it all. . .

Down by the mill arts centre the rhythmic banging of a drum drew my attention,
and I went over to see what everyone was watching.

It was Morris Dancers - these are not the tradional dancers I am used to seeing. Apparently this is a Borders Morris team and this one was called Plum Jerkum and they hailed from Warwick.

With the insistant drum beat and their whoops and hollers, I was totally hooked!

Border Morris is known for its mixed teams, blacked up faces and if you notice all the women have one black leg and one coloured leg. They danced around their hats placed on the floor.

I really liked it and to tell the truth I quite fancy doing it myself! I asked Joe
if he would join me, if I took it up - but he was having none of it! :-)

When they weren't dancing they were playing the music for the rest of the team.

They also used the traditional sticks. . .

The sound of that drum was really primal.

There were loads of other Morris teams waiting for their turn to dance. . .

After all the excitement - I thought this boat had an appropriate name. . .

and the Tai Chi demonstration was a perfect foil for the hustle and bustle elsewhere.

There was also a very colourful French Market with delicious smelling food. . .

Plus lots of other things on offer. . .

I could have shown loads more photo's, but I would have been here all day!
I hope you enjoyed my little tour, it was good to have you along.
Now does anyone fancy joining me in Morris dancing? ;-)

I hope that your week has been a good one.

Thought of the week
"The more sand that has escaped from the hourglass of our life,
the clearer we should see through it. " - Jean Paul Sartre

I am linking this post to week 56 of I Saw Sunday

Images and words - Susannah Bec