The first contact was made with other Morris sides during 1979. In the spring, four men unofficially attended Thames Valley Morris Men's Hoptide Feast, and in September the Spring Grove Morris Men attended their first day of dance with the Yateley Morris Men.  This was widely enjoyed though it did expose the limited range of dances performed by Spring Grove.  During the summer the men danced at fetes and pubs and in July danced in procession around the centre of Kingston in support of the Ethelred Fayre. 

 

December 1979 - Wagon and Horses, Kingston

Doug Gray                             Cary Hendy
             Francis Carter

 

To mark the occasion a new dance 'The Seven Saxons' was learnt and performed in the Ducklington tradition.  To emulate the last Kingston side, handkerchiefs and long sticks were used, and the dance performed by seven men.  The most unusual booking was for the Anglo-Chinese Society where the men performed alongside various Chinese entertainers.  The side acquired an animal built in 1979 - the Spring Grove Pig - designed and built by Tony Crowther.  The men also wore straw hats for the first time.

 

Members

Francis Carter and Doug Grey, both experienced Morris men, joined the side in the Spring and Autumn respectively and took over the teaching from Gus.  During the Winter of 1979-80 several new traditions were learnt and the side made important steps forward.

Role of Honour 1979

Joined Francis Carter Doug Grey John Lawrence Jim Tiernan Peter Tiernan Luis Castillo Norman Bayliss	Left Clive Sweet Frank Sweet Paul Evans David Ellis Cary Handy (now in Tanzanier)
New Dances Brackley - Headington - Adderbury - Bucknell - Ducklington - Winster -	Jockey to the Fair Getting up stairs, Laudanam Bunches Laudanam Bunches, Constant Billy, Black Joke Willow Tree Seven Saxons Processional
Officers Squire Bagman Treasurer Foremen	Richard Guscott Stephen Nash Martin Winmill Francis Carter and Doug Gray