Boekka’s 10th Birthday – Memories 2

2015

At the beginning of 2015 my son moved away from Cornwall  to pursue his career. I took over the role of choreographer for the Morris side and Guise team.

. As we were also low in numbers I was also needed in the dances which meant I could not play music. The majority of out dances were performed with percussion only.

Chepstow Wassail 2015

Boekka acquired another ‘Oss rider who was much shorter than our past riders.  Penkevyll did not tower above the other ‘Osses as she had in previous years which changed her presence and energy. I could also reach her head without her having to bend as far. The rider was also a founder member of a local Morris side that I danced with on a few occasions.

St Pirans Day Redruth 2015

Trewellard Beer Festival

Wreckers Day of Dance

After observing our Morris team at Wreckers Day of Dance, it was evident that our side was not progressing well despite our efforts.  I decided that it was time to close it down due to difficulty in recruiting local dancers. It was impossible to maintain the high standard of performance that I was used to within my first Morris side back in the 1990s. I then had more time to concentrate on our Cornish Teazer and ‘Oss performances as well as dancing with the other Morris based in mid-Cornwall.

All Hallows Dark Gathering 2015

At the Dark Gathering 2015 I performed with the local Morris side as Cassandra was still main Teazer for Penkevyll.

2016

2016 was a busier year performing with Boekka and attending events with the Morris side.

Chepstow Wassail 2016

Fowey 2016

Handfasting Event

Boekka was invited to perform at a Handfasting party in Lamorna. Our other local rider volunteered for this event. Penkevyll was well and truly soaked by torrential rain when she arrived for her performance that evening!

St Pirans 2016

Lostfest 2016

The  Dark Gathering 2016

It was a busy summer and although I worked hard performing with the local Morris side, it did not totally fulfill me. On our arrival in Boscastle Friday evening for the Dark Gathering, toxic attitudes also confirmed it was time to leave this Morris side. After a heated discussion between Cassandra and the founder member, he announced that not only was he dismissing her from the team, but in retaliation, he would not ride Penkevyll at this event. Fortunately, a tall, fit Morris dancer attended the event and was not performing. He saved the day by kindly agreeing to stand in.

2017

In 2017 Cassandra handed the role of Head Teazer to me. I was then able to concentrate solely on this performance without dividing my energies. Life with Boekka settled into a positive routine and the energies improved immensely.

Chepstow Wassail 2017

Cassandra focused on her drumming and met excellent percussionists who assisted in her development.

St Pirans Day Redruth 2017

While I teased Penkevyll at this event, Cassandra played percussion with a local folk band Whippletree.

On Beltane 2017 we gave Penkevyll and Boekka a total change of image, discarding unwanted residue from the past for a new beginning. I created a new mane, dress and tatters with Cornish colours of black, white and gold.

Although Cassandra had handed over the Teazer role to me, she could not resist posing for our new image with her ‘trusty’ snapper! She also experimented with black face paint on a couple of occasions before it became controversial.

After completing Penkevyll’s new image, my creative juices were flowing, so I purchased a foal ‘Obby ‘Oss naming her Morvargh the Dark Sea ‘Oss. By owning a smaller ‘Oss we could still take her out if Penkevyll is unable to appear at an event. The foal is a welcome addition to our team and popular with Boekka fans.

Tintagel Carnival 2017

Boscastle 2017

The Dark Gathering 2017

Morvargh made her debut at the Dark Gathering 2017 during the afternoon. I rode her with Wreckers Morris during their Song of the Sea dance.

2018

2018 brought a surprising change to Boekka. A younger man contacted us with a desire to join a ‘dark and edgy’ team. We tried him out as rider for Penkevyll and he had good potential. He connected with the spiritual aspect of ‘Oss riding and treats Penkevyll with utmost care and respect. This is extremely important as ‘Osses are not merely puppets for one’s convenience and/or ego. This attitude sadly occurs more frequently now that owning an ‘Oss has become a fashionable ‘trend’. I had acquired apprentice Teazers that connect with Penkevyll in their own way. One of them also rides Morvargh on occasions.

Chepstow Wassail 2018

Although Penkevyll’s riders were unavailable for Chepstow, I managed to find a young, tall, muscular Welshman to ride Penkevyll during the afternoon. In the evening, we had the freedom to enjoy the ceremony on the bridge without an ‘Oss to distract us.

We spent the summertime training our new ‘Oss rider and Teazers who made their official debut at the next event.

The  Dark Gathering 2018

Cassandra joined the drummers of Beltane Border Morris as she enjoys their wild rhythmic music.

It was also wonderful to re-connect with my former Morris team from 20 years ago at this event. It provided the opportunity to come ‘full circle’; by performing my final Morris dance with them at the Dark Gathering. This event is truly a place ‘between the worlds’ where magical things occur!

2019

2019 had a wonderful start with Beorma Morris joining us at the Chepstow Wassai. It was fabulous to catch up with friends we had not seen in a while after the break up of Wytchwood Morris.

This year the Maris had a Beauty Pageant where Boekka were interviewed. There were 33 Maris and ‘Osses. We were waiting backstage for quite a while before our turn arrived.

My apprentice Teazer and I performed a Morris dance from my former Morris side. We danced on the bridge around Cassandra and Penkevyll.

St Pirans Day Redruth 2019

I had work commitments on St Pirans Day and left Penkevyll in the hands of my two Apprentice Teazers. They did a magnificent job!

Tintagel Carnival 2019

Boekka were joined by Mari Arianrhod visiting from Wales for the Tintagel Carnival procession.

The Dark Gathering 2019

Morvargh took more of an active role this year, rode by one of our Teazers. I stepped in as co-organiser of the event after the sudden departure of the managers from the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic.

2020

The Chepstow Wassail was unfortunately cancelled this year, so we attended the Brecon Wassail instead. It is a smaller event; however we were keen to meet up with our Welsh friends and their Maris. Our Teazers performed with the Welsh dancers, although the dancing in my opinion was better when we rehearsed the previous evening during our drinking session!

Cassandra had a wonderful 70th Birthday Party in March 2020 with our special guests – Beltane Border Morris. Then the pandemic occurred and it became one of the strangest years when events were cancelled. The world changed beyond recognition! Let us hope we return to normality soon!

So there you have it….10 years of Boekka and what an incredible, eventful journey! I wonder what the next 10 years will bring…… we shall see you soon!!