Most unusually, the musos got a look in with the newspaper photos! Here am I in my posh hat, Nicky on melodeon (it's a GIANT one!) and you can just see Erin on fiddle at the far end. The Ouse Washes Molly Dancers were invited to dance out at the Welborne Arts Festival last weekend. For a small village it is an amazing festival; unfortunately I had family commitments (mum!) so I could only be there for the Saturday, and the Sunday was the better day, weather-wise. We managed to time our dancing between showers, but there was some very hot weather as well, it was most disconcerting!
So mostly photos today, but if you want to know more about Molly Dancing, do go to the Ouse Washes website, there is loads of information/photos etc there.
Ellen, Rob, Linda and Nicky enjoying a beer break in the sunshine - it was really hot, for half an hour or so! Then the wind got up and the skies darkened. English Summertime!
Me and The Hat!
Ellen relaxing before getting her clobber on. She and Andrew were among the intrepid ones who camped over the weekend.
This gentleman is the Sheringham Town Crier, a lovely man who did a terrific job at the Festival, keeping everyone informed of what was happening where and when.
Alex and Stuart looking somewhat pensive.
Yes, I want one too! This is Alex's beautiful camper-van, and I will be sharing it with her when we all go to Towersey Festival later this year. Yippeee!
Here is Bryan, in his favourite frock. Bryan is Andrew's understudy for Molly and Broom Dancer. Also seen is Bryan and Elin's cocker spaniel Porter.
Bryan assisting with the repair of Alex's wardrobe malfunction! She almost danced her frock off!
And here are the Mollies in full swing. This is about half the full strength of the side. It is very energetic work, and they need to swap places now and again! I feel blessed being one of the musos, not required to thresh about!
So that's it for now, hope you've enjoyed the photos, do look them up, it's quite fascinating to read all about Molly Dancing and the Ouse Washes Molly Dancers in particular.
HA ! looks like you all had a jolly good time at the Festival !!!
ReplyDeleteOooooh Lynne, you look smashing with your hat !!!
(and do I see a bit of a "jacket" too ;-) ?)
Well spotted, Els! yes, part of the day I was too hot in the jacket, then it was blowing hard and cold and I was glad I had it on! WHat is your weather like this year? It is pretty miserable on the whole over here!
DeleteMuch the same here as it is over there with you :-(
DeleteNo "summer" what so ever ....
Dear me, looks like we are headed for a "summer' similar to last year then, doesn't it? I reckon this is the shape of things to come for a while. Better get used to it! Lx
DeleteYou certainly do look hot but your hat looks fab. You must get hot though, in your hat and jacket in a normal summer!
ReplyDeleteHa! Dc that is mostly my natural 'high colour'! But yes, there were moments, but when we were'nt dancing I took my jacket off. I've not experienced playing on a very hot day yet ..........!
DeleteI just LOVE your hat, looks like loads of fun! :) x
ReplyDeleteHi Ada, yes, I could have taken orders for them as 'festival hats'! Lx
DeleteHello Lynne, Every-time you post photos of one of your festivals I feel like jumping on a plane and going to the UK. You folks know how to have fun. I would love to hear you play. Do you have anything on you-tube, or any videos in your achieve posts? Love the hat!!! Did you do the felt flowers? Well, I enjoyed every inch of this post. Thank you for sharing . . . it does my heart good to see people having so much fun :)
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely week.
Your blogging sister, Connie :)
Connie, lovely comment, as always, thank you. I doubt the re is anything of me on youtube - though John Spiers (of the folk duo Spiers and Boden and Bellowhead) did post a clip of us playing/dancing before their concert a couple of months ago. And you can certainly find the Mollies on their website Ouse Washes Molly Dancers. Lx
DeleteI went you you-tube and watched several videos of the Mollies. It looks like a lot of fun, great exercise, too :) And their costumes are delightful; I love all the bright colors.
DeleteGreat! Thanks for watching, Connie! It is great exercise - for the dancers - I'm afraid we musos are a static lot - apart from jigging about while playing, of course! Lx
DeleteFascinating post Lynne, and more confirmation that East Anglia has some of the best traditions!
ReplyDeleteWhen you post these kinds of photos I always start by looking for the hat! YOu made it easy for me this week :)
Hahaha! Annie, I promise you I only ever wear it to Molly functions! Lx
DeleteLove this post Lynne and your hat is wonderful. Looks like a splendid event and so much fun.
ReplyDeletePatricia x
Hi Patricia, thanks, I so enjoyed making this hat - well, making the cover for it. It was only a little festival but a lot of fun. I shall be at a couple more this year so will take some good photo evidence! Lx
DeleteReally enjoyed your post and I've been catching up on your back posts too after being in Germany. It is allso interesting and colourful but most of all it looks such great fun to come together in such a way. Great tradition involved too.
ReplyDeleteJo x
Hi Jo! You certainly get around, I always envy you the fact that Germany is so much closer than Germany - but everything is relative - I expect you wish they lived in the UK so you could see more of them.
DeleteI've met some super folks since getting involved with the Molly Dancers, not least my lovely box tutor Nick, who plays and dances for a Morris side as well as a Molly side. Ouse Washes pride themselves on passing on the traditions to local schools and work extensively with them. Such a pity our true traditions are so neglected by the media when they give so much attention to the easy-come-easy-go-instant-fame rubbish which abounds these days. Oh dear! Don't get me started!! Lxx
Brilliant photos Lynne, I wanted to go to Towersey this year but its not to be :-( I agree with you about keeping our traditions alive and I'm full of admiration for the kind people who give their time and energy to go into schools and pass on these skills. These wonderful dance teams give us gentle entertainment that we can take the whole family to see and not be nervous about inappropriate behaviour. Long may they continue, I love em!!
ReplyDeleteKaren x
Lovely, Karen, totally agree with yo. What a shame you can't be at Towersey - we could have met up at last!! Lx
DeleteGlad your hat's getting a good airing! Is it waterproof?? We went to the Welborne Fest a few years ago - must go again, as I love the pottery there too. xCathy
ReplyDeleteHi Cathy - no it isn't! I have a large umbrella in my car which I hope to persuade any random audience member to hold over my hat and our instruments! Lx
DeleteLovely colourful photo's, at least you make it look like we're having a sunny summer!
ReplyDeleteHi Jay, well, the photos were taken in between showers! It got quite windy and cold - and then it all changed! Really, really weird weather.
DeleteYou look fantastic in your performing clothes, and you all look so happy doing what your doing, My son loves the atmosphere at these type of events, he plays the music rather than dancing too!!! He is try1ng to learn a melodeon at the moment (at least I think thats what he called it!)
ReplyDeleteHi Sue, thanks for your comment - sorry I'm late replying! I must put up another post soon, I am behind! It is great fun, though we are at the mercy of the weather.
DeleteWhere is your son learning melodeon"? What kind of music is he playing It's great that the younger generation are taking up the traditional instruments! Lx