Author: Bob Combes

We were due to dance as guests of local Border Morris side Wicket Brood this evening. Sadly they informed us this afternoon that the pub has cancelled the event due to the anticipated poor weather conditions.

An away evening. CNoD revived after the hiatus of Covid and generally for local teams, St Albans are very much visitors, taking advantage of a fast Thameslink service and the events proximity to East Croydon station. A great informal evening and a chance to catch up with old friends.

Another fine evening for one of the highlights of the year. The St Michaels St folk evening.

Part of the St Albans festival this event has always pulled a crowd. For two hours the road is closed and Morris sides perform in the street while bands perform at the church and in pubs and school playgrounds.

Currently more accurately it is ‘pub’ singular. Since the event’s inception we have lost the Black Lion and Blue Anchor and the Rose and Crown is closed, possibly never to return. Fortunately pop up bars have taken up some of the load.

This year it was well covered in the local press. Including the surpise appearance of ‘Harry the Hart’, the St Albans Morris animal. Harry is part of the tradition of Morris and a long standing member of the side. In recent years he has been a rarly seen visitor.

A very pleasant evening meeting up with our old friends Etcetra Morris, from Enfield. The Woodman at Wild Hill is roughly a halfway house for both of us. This little gem of a pub seems very rural despite being betwixt Hatfield and Potters Bar.

A day dancing in the city with Morris sides invited from the surrounding area. Organised as usual by Trevor (a St Albans Morris member).

Starting with a massed show outside the Arena then spitting up and dancing at spots around the City and culminating in another massed show outside the Wst Door of the Abbey.

St Albans performing at the vibrant and well attended carnival. Blazingly hot and very hard to keep cool.

Another back street St Albans Pub. Where the car park is now rather more beer garden since Covid. Dancing for some old friends. Chips AND Chocolate on offer from our host, Caz. More dancing to try and use some of those calories.

Just about every year since 1927 Thaxted Morris Men have organised a weekend of dance. St Albans attended for the day, touring the villages around Thaxted by coach with some of the other sides before a procession and massed display in Thaxted.

A beautiful evening. First to the Farriers Arms, a back street pub with zero outside space, the pub where CAMRA was conceived. Fortunately its on the Corner of College Place, a Cul-de-Sac, where we danced for the residents and an online grocery delivery driver!

Then a short walk to the Boot and dancing in front of the Clock Tower.

The day after our performance in Kings Road and the weather has taken a remarkable turn, sun hats rather than warm coats between dances
Blazing sunshine at the Mill open day, in addition to the working mill, local groups set up in the surrounding grounds. In place of a pub, the tea room, to quench our thirst.