32nd plough tour toasts the new year
HINCKLEY BULLOCKERS took to the streets of Sharnford, Sapcote and Stoney Stanton on their 32nd annual plough tour to toast the new year.
The band of traditional folk musicians and dancers set off from Sharnford where they kitted up and raddled (reddened) their faces ready for the first dance of the day before heading for The Red Lion in Sapcote for another performance.
A dance on Leicester Road was then dedicated to the late Brian Mason, former Bullockers trombonist, who died in Octo- ber 2016.
More dancing followed at Willowmead on Stanton Road and at The Bull’s Head in Stoney Stanton where the troupe stopped for lunch and a brass-led session.
There was then dancing at The Star and at The Blue Bell before heading back to The Red Lion in Sapcote for an evening session of music and song.
Bullockers spokesman Tony Ashley said: “The day went very well although it was very cold day and the rain did briefly curtail some of our activities mainly because melodeons and accordions don’t like getting wet and musicians fingers get very cold!
“The dancing seemed to be enjoyed by all and our ‘lady’ excelled herself this year with an outfit that showed her knees.
“Our second lady, ‘the Mad Moll’, succumbed to a bad cold and tiredness and promptly fell asleep after lunch.
“We had wonderful song and music sessions both at the lunch spot and in the evening with songs from our own men and from some of our supporters.
“Three of the brass section of our band entertained us with a medley of morris dance tunes at the lunch session.”
The Bullockers will soon be meeting to plan their 2019 tour.