Log Book for 2019

What actually happened, before time takes its toll and surrounds everything with a rosy glow

[Go To Latest Report]

Surbiton Festival Saturday 29th September

We took part in Surbiton Festival on a gloriously sunny late summer day. Balloon Morris Man was sufficiently inflated to join us for the parade around the Surbiton centre and he drew rather more attention than us mere mortals. We distributed over 100 flyers advertising our open evenings next month. After a lunch at the local Wetherspoon we danced a short but perfectly formed spot in the forecourt of the distinctive modernist Surbiton railway station. The side was then stood down and repaired to the beer-fest in The Antelope. Rob

AGM, 12 November

Last night at the rearranged AGM, Spring Grove Morris Men voted to amalgamate with Kingston Morris to create a single side - Kingston Spring Grove Morris. The new combined mixed side will dance under the name of Kingston Morris, and wearing the Kingston Morris baldrics. It will retain both Ring and Federation memberships. Spring Grove will become a 'Heritage' side - so on special occasions, when there are six of the former Spring Grove men available at an event, the Spring Grove baldrics may be brought out of retirement for a special dance.

Christmas Dinner, The Albion, 10 December

A fun evening of dance song and tunes in the Spring Grove Pub with friends from Ewell St Mary's Morris Men, Phoenix Clog and singers from the Pielarks. Kingston Spring Grove Morris put up a team of men in Spring Grove Morris colours and in Kingston colours we had women (with occasional appearances by the Squire David and Laurie). The pub was packed and had cleared the front for our use. We took turns to dance or sing then David presented Id with his baldrics; Id had danced in two years earlier, but a hiatus in making rosettes made this an unusually late presentation. .David

Wassail, Spring Grove Pub, 17 December

On Monday evening, Kingston Spring Grove Morris held a joyous evening of Morris music and song with our good friends Ewell St. Mary’s Morris Men and Phoenix Clog with singing led by The Pielarks. The festivities were held at the Spring Grove pub in Bloomfield Road, Kingston Upon Thames, KT1 2SF. Mince pies were added to our usual fare of beer and other drinks to celebrate the festive season. One significant event during the evening was the award to Id Kenzie of his Spring Grove Morris Men Rosettes. In the six years since he joined us as a quiet and uncertain dancer he has blossomed into a lively and confident Morris Dancer. After the award he joined 7 other Spring Grove Morris Men in the dance “The Vandals of Hammerwich” from the City of Lichfield. The musicians for “Vandals” and for all the other Kingston Spring Grove Morris dances during the evening were led by Sue Benson who also skilfully arranged the overall event. David

Present were:

Ewell St Mary's Morris Men of Ewell

Kingston Spring Grove Morris (hosts)

Phoenix Clog of Ewell

The Pielarks is a community choir who sing traditional folk songs in harmony

Mayor's Cultural Celeb Show, Rose Theatre, Kingston, Saturday 2 February

Kingston Spring Grove Morris performed at the Rose Theatre in a "Global Cultural Celebration" in aid of Kingston's Mayor's charitable trust last Saturday. Our short extract consisted of three dances in the traditions of Bampton (Over The Hills), Lichfield (Jenny Lind), Bidford (Abraham Brown). These went down rather well with the audience who roared with approval at the double time finishes.

Kempton Steam Museum, Sunday 17 March

Kingston Spring Grove Morris performed at one of their favourite events today at Kempton Steam Museum's first steaming weekend of the year.

Thames Valley Morris Men's Ale, Saturday 13 April

On Saturday 13th April Kingston Morris joined six other sides for "an ale" hosted by Thames Valley Morris Men

George and Dragon, Thames Ditton, Tuesday 23 April

On the evening of St Georges Day Kingston Morris danced at the George and Dragon in Thames Ditton.

Dancing at Dawn, Box Hill, Wednesday 1 May

Kingston Spring Grove Morris were joined by Ewell St. Mary's Morris Men and Rampant Rooster Morris to dance in the first day of May on Box Hill at dawn. The weather was really mild and the rising sun gradually lit the Mole valley, still shrouded in mist. After a ninety minute session the many hungry dancers descended on the Wheatsheaf pub in Ewell for a glorious breakfast topped off with much song and dance. What a very special start to the day.

The Sultan, Wimbledon, Monday 6 May

Kingston Spring Grove Morris were dancing in Wimbledon at the Sultan pub on a chilly spring evening last Monday

Richmond Fair, Saturday 11 May

Kingston Morris performed a couple of sets around the Richmond Fayre on Saturday.

Stepping Stones, West Humble, with Rampant Rooster, Tuesday 4 June

Kingston Spring Grove Morris enjoyed a pleasant evening's dancing as guests of Rampant Rooster Morris at the Stepping Stones pub in Westhumble, nr. Dorking.

Colliers Wood Street Party, Tuesday 8 June

Blustery but dry weather this morning as Kingston Morris danced for a street party in Colliers Wood. We had a number of guests join us in a very pleasant session.