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Bring me the head of Roy Dommett...

THE MAN who dragged the morris out of the 19th century - better late than never - has had his head frozen for posterity. It's followed his absolutely-final Wantage instructional weekend - and it's not as severe as it sounds. JILL GRIFFITHS reports.

Wantage weekend 3rd-5th March

WHILE some were dazzling the crowds at the Dome during the DERT2000 weekend, I and about 60 others were incarcerated in a five-star youth hostel, surrounded by the Ridgeway hills and participating in the last-ever Roy Dommett Wantage Weekend.

By day, we enjoyed the splendour of a Tudor barn; watching chickens running round at break time and consuming gourmet meals. The evenings were spent partying in our dorms, sipping port and swapping stories.

We did some dancing too - mostly the traditions that Roy had been involved with during his many years experience with the Morris: Adderbury, Stanton Harcourt, Ascott, Ducklington and Oddington to name but a few. Interspersed were tales of dances and dancers, told in Roy's own inimitable style.

We held a ceremony at teatime to mark Roy's retirement and thank him for the many years of fun. Beth Neill had baked a cake and Sue Graham had iced it - with a lifelike head of Roy! For once, he was speechless. I believe Marguerite has put the head in her freezer.

Well, Roy - thanks for the memories, and may you be like Frank Sinatra and keep coming back.

Donkey note: Jill Griffiths, Beth Neill and Sue Graham are all past or present members of Windsor Morris.

©2000 Simon Pipe, Mark Rogers, The Outside Capering Crew

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