Christmas party at the Blue Bell, Old Ellerby, near Hull on 18th December, 2008


Mike Coupland shows Shirley Diamond, the landlady, his new Christmas hat

The side was in high spirits for its annual Christmas Party at this old inn in Holderness.  The Blue Bell Inn at Old Ellerby is famous for its CAMRA ales and, Shirley Diamond decorates the interior with lanterns and many different fairy lights for Christmas.  As well as the traditional horse brasses and copper plates, there is a roaring fire in the grate.  Shirley and Dave always give the side a great welcome.

 

The musicians

The music was provided by Tony Grundy, Oli Norman and Ray Stagg on melodeons.  They played several instrumentals and Oli sang songs whilst the morrismen took breathers between dances.
These are some of the tunes that they danced to and are available on the data DVD:-
TunePerformed by
Beaux of London City
Adderbury		side
Cuckoo's nest
Bledington		 side
Wren boys Oli Norman
Jenny Lynd
Bampton		 side
Skirmish
Bledington		 side
Valentines
Fieldtown		 side
O Little Town of Bethlehem musicians
Young Collins
Bledington		 side
The Boar's Head carol Oli Norman
Sweet Christmas Bells Oli Norman
Room for the Cuckold
Bucknell		side
Ladies of Pleasure
Bledington		Oli Norman
Instrumental musicians
Balance the Straw
Fieldtown		 side
Saturday Night
Bucknell		 side
 Oli Norman and Tony Grundy accompany 'Bean Setting'
Oli Norman and Tony Grundy

 

The dancers

The dances included (in performance order and five are available as videos on the data DVD):-
Dance
Bean setting, Bampton
Beaux of London City, Adderbury
Cuckoo's nest, Bledington
Jenny Lynd, Bampton
Skirmish, in the style of Bledington
Valentines, Fieldtown
Young Collins, Bledington
Room for the cuckold, Bucknell
Ladies of Pleasure, Bledington
Balance the straw, Fieldtown
Saturday Night, Bucknell

 

The songs and monologues

Oli had his dancing doll performing and then sang The Wild Rover.  Ian Morrison told us of The Jubilee Sovereign, which featured Albert Ramsbottom.  Oli sang four songs: Grandfather's Clock, the funeral of the salesman in ladies' tights, the Hermit complete with hat and Good luck to the barley mow.  These were separated by medlies of tunes by the melodeons.  There was an interval between these songs in which Shirley brought round several plates of hot food.  Lastly, at the insistence of Shirley, Ian turned in a great performance of Albert and the Lion.
These tunes, songs and monologues were performed and are available on the data DVD:-
Dance Performed by
Dancing doll Oli Norman
Wild Rover Oli Norman
Medley of tunes musicians
Albert and the Jubilee SovereignIan Morrison
Grandfather's Clock Oli Norman
The Funeral Song Oli Norman
The Hermit Oli Norman
Good Luck to the Barley Mow Oli Norman
Medley of melodies musicians
Albert and the Lion Ian Morrison
 Tony Grundy accompanies Oli Norman
Oli Norman and the dancing doll Ian Morrison tells the tale of 'Albert and the Jubilee Sovereign'
Ian Morrison tells the tale of 'Albert and the Jubilee Sovereign' Ian Morrison tells the tale of 'Albert and the Jubilee Sovereign'
Ian Morrison tells the tale of 'Albert and the Jubilee Sovereign' Ian Morrison tells the tale of 'Albert and the Jubilee Sovereign'
Oli Norman recalls 'The Hermit' Oli Norman recalls 'The Hermit'

 

 

Thank you Shirley and Dave; we had a most enjoyable night!


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