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St Albans, Ye Old Fighting Cocks 1921 (ref: 70484)
Year: 2008 Whitethorn Morris Dance In Front Of Ye Olde Fighting Cocks

Although this ancient inn is protected and little changed over the years, the surrounding landscape is now attractive with paving, seats and trees by the edge of the millstream which flows into the lake at the bottom of Fishpool Street. The new landscaping provides a good area for displays of morris dancing so it always features in the programme for St Albans annual Festival parade and Day of Dance  each June.   

The 2008 procession was led through the City Centre by the Abbey puppets and traditional local morris dancers, plus Trachtengruppe Kussnacht from Rigi, Switzerland. The climax of the parade was a massed display of dancing in the High Street watched by thousands and thousands of city centre spectators and market stallholders.

The dancing continued all day in front of the Alban Arena, in the Maltings and Christopher Place shopping centres, by the Clock Tower and Market Cross, and later in the afternoon on the lovely paving in front of Ye Olde Fighting Cocks.  

One of the teams of dancers was locally based Whitethorn Morris from Harrow who looked splendid in their scarlet and blue kit and shiny black clogs. The music was supplied by their large band of squeeze boxes and drums including me with my piano accordian.





Last edited: 16/09/2008 18:20 by John Howard Norfolk  

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St Albans, Clock Tower and Market Cross 1921 (ref: 70477)
Year: 2008 Whitethorn Morris Dance At St Albans "folk At The Festival"

One of the highlights of the Festival is the Festival parade and Day of Dance which traditionally takes place on the Saturday of each year's Festival.

The procession was led through the City Centre by the Abbey puppets and traditional local morris dancers, plus Trachtengruppe Kussnacht from Rigi, Switzerland. The climax of the parade was a massed display of dancing in the High Street watched by thousands and thousands of city centre spectators and market stallholders.

The dancing continued all day in front of the Alban Arena, in the Maltings and Christopher Place shopping centres, outside the Abbey and - as shpwn in this view -by the Clock Tower and Market Cross. The local police had thoughtfully closed off the streets so that the crowds of festival goers could walk safely in the roads!

One of the teams of dancers was locally based Whitethorn Morris from Harrow who looked splendid in their scarlet and blue kit, shiny black clogs and energetic dancing to their large band of accordians and drums.

Leter in the day all the dancers performed at one of St Albans oldest inns -Ye Olde Fighting Cocks.

Posted: 30/06/2008 17:02 by John Howard Norfolk  

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