Nellie Briggate's Rhubarb Festival

So I was booked to appear at this festival of some food that is soooooo gross and makes my Gramps’ bum make funny noises by The Mother. I don’t believe I was consulted so I made sure I got her out of bed at 6.30am as penance for not appreciating that I am 8. I have people to see, things to do!!!!!!!!!! Like erm buy more clog laces. And keep my hat straight. It’s hard for small people you know!

Anyways I did my warm up sun dance to ensure the weather was nice. (Did I get ANY thanks? Did I heck as like…..). I was assured by all and sundry that I looked soooo cute (well duh!) and was I nervous? Of course I was nervous! I’m 8! I’m not daft. I know folk’ll be glaring at me throughout the dance waiting for me to fall over or go wrong so they can say awwwww how cute?! I will NOT allow that to happen. Nor do I believe Granny when she says people aren’t glaring, they’re admiring. There is nothing admirable about long white socks. Two pairs I have to shoehorn on cos The Mother’s too tight to buy me some clogs that actually fit.

Anyways luckily my Partner In Crime, My Right (and occasionally Left) Hand Woman Bay-Bea Briggate was there. Still puzzling how she’s Bay-Bea when I’m the youngest being 8 and all…..So anyways we were able to dance excellently and be all cute whilst sneaking off at lunch to the toilets in Wetherspoons to plot world domination. We’re starting in Wetherspoons as the loos are MAHOOOOSIVE! Ideal HQ!

Another bonus was that it was Layla’s first dance out so Boss Lady Cathy was watching her more than me. Annoyingly she did brilliantly, trying to steal my thunder. I mean as IF! I mean ok she’s like 21 and I’m 8 so she’s bound to be good being a proper grown up but really! I really must have a word and tell her to suck a bit sometimes. Her husband did take a video of Vicky, Lucy, Boss and Me dancing Prescott which The Mother has posted all over Facebook for her friends to coo over. 






Naturally. She is soooo embarrassing sometimes. Don’t get me started on her fishnets either. Or that daft movement she calls dancing. Not a bobbin or small child in sight. Shocking behavior for someone her age. Glad my mates couldn’t see.

Anyways we were all brilliant. I do believe the consensus was that every team should have an 8 year old (like me!) in it. But not ACTUALLY me, cos I’m only small and actually want to grow and dancing all day will make me short like The Mother.

This is Nellie Briggate, aged 8, for Briggate Morris at the Rhubarb Festival, Wakefield

Briggates 25th Birthday

Now the BIG ONE! Our 25th Anniversary dance out.

On 4th September we were joined by lots of our dancing friends for a wonderful day of dance to

celebrate our 25th anniversary.

Cathy, one of the founding members and our fantastic forewoman, kicked the day off with a welcome speech. Then the dancing began at Kirkstall Abbey with one of our own, Chevin Shindig - a swath of red hankies got the day off to a flying start.

As Cathy pointed out, were able to dance Kirkstall Garland, a

dance which Alison wrote for her daughter Sarah when sh

e was little, in the grounds of Kirkstall Abbey. New and young members danced alongside founding members and we were happy to be joined by some of the original members for a group photo by the

Abbey.t it was wonderful to see so many Briggates all together!

After a fantastic morning’s dance we all walked along the river path to the West End House for a spot of lunch and some well-deserved liquid refreshment.

The afternoon’s dancing took place at Roundhay park. All the teams congregated at the Mansion house for a mass Plymouth Reel to round the days dancing off.

Julie and the next generation of Briggates presented Pat and Cathy with their very own Owls which we have sponsored from Lotherton Hall to commemorate their 25 years with Briggate. Lucy also was thanked for her hard work in organising a fantastic day! Whisky and cake finished the day off before we said goodbye to all our friends.

and we finished off the year with Otley Folk Festival.

Otley Folk Festival 18th September 2011

As a new member of Briggate, I thought I'd write a little about seeing Briggate dance out at Otley shortly before I joined, perhaps this will inspire other potential new members :)

I went to Otley Folk Festival last September, partly in support of my mother-in-law who dances on another side, partly because I had been plotting to join a Morris side myself and was trying to decide whether I should. The first dance was outside of the Bowling Green pub, luckily the sun shone for the first few dances before everyone dashed to the bar to hide from a sudden thunderstorm. We stuck around, rather unwisely under an umbrella, but the rain cleared up and we stood watching Briggate dance while we drank our pints of stout.

Briggate danced very wonderfully and now, much later on, I think I can recognise some of the dances from the photographs. This one looks like Chevin Shindig! 

We enjoyed watching some of the other sides dance, including the Raving Maes and Medusa, two Morris sides with very contrasting styles of dancing from very enthusiastic to very elegant but both lovely to see. 

Medusa

Raving Maes

Soon it was time for a quick change of scene behind the Bay Horse Inn, I thought some of the younger members of Briggate danced with particular flair. 

And then we all moved to the last dance spot behind the Cross Pipes pub on Westgate, where there was a large crowd gathering to watch. Here there were many more Morris sides dancing, sword dancing and finally a mummers play, and we even stood inside the pub for a short while listening to the folk music. 

Sword dancing

Briggate danced twice, doing Celebration first.

I liked this last photo I took of Briggate that day, dancing Plymouth Reel while the sun shines down and everyone seems to float in the air. I was inspired to contact Briggate soon afterwards and this weekend I will be joining them on my first dance out at the Rhubarb Festival in Wakefield!