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| History of Hoxon Hundred |
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1983-2005, and on (and on...) Hoxon Hundred was founded in April 1983 with 10 members at its first meeting. It takes its name from the old political map of the area around its home village of Hoxne, on the Norfolk/Suffolk border. It was formed to learn and enjoy different Morris traditions from The British Isles - mainly Cotswold, Garland and Step Clog with Country Dancing thrown in. The first committee was composed to represent the different traditions as follows:- Heather (Bexon) for clog and country dance. Jane (Dickinson) for Garland Mike Barclay for Cotswold and still a member. Steve Dickinson for music Jill West ( Parson) Secretary Jean Turner (Marshall) for “the rest” and still a member. In October 1983, Hoxon took advantage of the fact that Trefor Owen was in the area and asked him to run a North West workshop just as a matter of interest. He came and taught a dance from Horwich.. Although this started as something just for interest, having learnt the dance Hoxon thought that it should be kept and it was added to the dance list. This in fact changed Hoxon`s future development as North West was to play an important part of the dance programme. Initially there was no intention of dancing out, but early in 1984 the BBC chartered the practise hall to produce an episode of the Miss Marple television drama series. Following the subsequent eviction and the £50.00 compensation payment, Hoxon were left with no alternative but to dance out. There followed a mad scramble to get a kit together for the first outing, but all was accomplished in time, and Hoxon danced at Mellis Church at the invitation of the Vicar (a member of the side). Another of the first season's outings in May '84 was at The Crown at Weybread. Hoxon arrived with all the locals inside the pub and as soon as the dancing started the "audience" got up as if to come out and watch, but actually closed the door & windows and steadfastly refused even to acknowledge the music and dancing. Maybe it was the car stereo being used for dancing (they could have been purists or members of the Morris Ring), anyway Hoxon never went back. In July 1985 the local Wingfield College asked Hoxon to arrange an afternoon of dance displays in return for allowing them to use the hall at the college for an evening party following another Trefor Owen workshop earlier in the year. Hoxon invited other teams such as Ouse William (now Ouse Washes) and Mandrake, the afternoon went well and probably sowed the seed for future weekends of dance. Regular weekends of dance were run by Hoxon after that, the main attraction to other teams being the famous feast produced by its members and the popular procession along the length of Southwold High Street. The 10th anniversary was celebrated by dancing at The Guernsey International Folk Festival. Also performing were the Dubliners (who are even older than us), and a young Show of Hands. This was, then, the fore runner of Hoxon's annual holidays. The 20th being spent in Rouen, a splendid week! Hoxon now encompasses Rapper; with Border and a Mummers play being performed on Boxing day. There is also a lively band of musicians who accompany the dancing and play for ceilidhs. Hoxon`s first outing of the year is Boxing Day where we dance border in tatter coats and various disguises. Hoxon also perform (inside the pub) a mummers play, rapper and clog plus a music session with carols. Hoxon have danced in the snow as well. May 1st is the traditional start to our season starting at sunrise dancing Cotswold on Fair Green in Diss, this is followed with a mystery coach tour around Norfolk/Suffolk on the bank holiday. Wednesday evenings are then spent dancing at various local hostelries until the end of July when Hoxon have a week away in Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Shropshire or wherever dancing with other teams and sight seeing. This year we are making our first trip to Dartmoor to dance with 'The Pixies'. The accommodation is usually a converted barn with camping/ caravanning to suit all. Hoxon have quite a few members who have been with the club for most of its life, but particularly Jean Marshall and Mike Barclay who were in at the beginning. Jean has taught Garland and also dances clog and Northwest ( occasional tambourine is also one of her skills). Mike is also a true star having taught Cotswold since inception, handing over the reins this year to Judy Castleton. |