Gate to Southwell

Yesterday we joined other dance sides for the 29th Gate to Southwell, ably organised by Chris Gigg of Dolphin Morris Men. We assembled in the rain in the Old Market Square, Nottingham, and then processed with umbrellas to Sneinton, where we were welcomed and given safe passage through the parish, to buses, which took us to various venues (for which read "pubs") on the way to Southwell, where we had a service in the gorgeous Norman Minster. The Gate to Southwell was revived in 1981 by Dolphin, following on from an ancient Whitsuntide procession to Southwell, in which members of parishes took their annual contributions to the Minster. Apparently it is recorded in a letter to the Minster, in 1109, as an ancient happening, so this year may well be the 900th Gate. The Gate is an excellent chance to meet and see other sides, and to see other sides dance things that we dance, but not quite in the same way. There are also plenty of places where people gather to watch, so it is also an excellent chance to dance in public. Our thanks to Steve and Liz from New St George, who played for us at the Gate.