"during Whitsun weekend there is a magic in the air that cannot be matched. Why else do people want to join the team but are too nervous to have a go? How come there are so many children that you catch glimpses of trying to match the steps? This kind of magic cannot be created by making up some rituals that are vaguely similar to those practiced years ago by our pagan ancestors. The magic is in human interaction, the 'rituals' we go through are very much based in the community as it is now, and evolve naturally, through friendship, having a laugh, and getting a bit pissed now and again."

Agreed - it is a magical weekend. I felt priveleged to be part of it again this year.

Joe - are you on Facebook? I've made a Fans of Bampton Morris group, with pictures, video etc from this year (and a bit from last year).

I don't know which side you dance with - my stuff is all of the Shergold side, but feel welcome to add to it.