Wantage weekend 3rd-5th March
WHILE some were dazzling the crowds at the Dome during the DERT2000 weekend, I and about 60 others were incarcerated in a five-star youth hostel, surrounded by the Ridgeway hills and participating in the last-ever Roy Dommett Wantage Weekend.
By day, we enjoyed the splendour of a Tudor barn; watching chickens running round at break time and consuming gourmet meals. The evenings were spent partying in our dorms, sipping port and swapping stories.
We did some dancing too - mostly the traditions that Roy had been involved with during his many years experience with the Morris: Adderbury, Stanton Harcourt, Ascott, Ducklington and Oddington to name but a few. Interspersed were tales of dances and dancers, told in Roy's own inimitable style.
We held a ceremony at teatime to mark Roy's retirement and thank him for the many years of fun. Beth Neill had baked a cake and Sue Graham had iced it - with a lifelike head of Roy! For once, he was speechless. I believe Marguerite has put the head in her freezer.
Well, Roy - thanks for the memories, and may you be like Frank Sinatra and keep coming back.
Donkey note: Jill Griffiths, Beth Neill and Sue Graham are all past or present members of Windsor Morris.
©2000 Simon Pipe, Mark Rogers, The Outside Capering Crew