This year we were invited to perform as the British representatives at the International Folk Dance festival at Fridek-Mistek in the Czech Republic. Because of this major commitment in June, we cut back on the number of public dance preformances in the UK.
The year started with an invite from the BBC to dance with Dermot O'Leary as part of a 24 hour dance marathon. This was televised live on the BBC red button and we performed for about 5 minutes. We taught Dermot to dance Bransles for his Day of Dance. The link provides more details and the opportunity to donate.
Dermot said he had "seen better days" as his knees were "in pain". The TV and radio presenter, who had been dancing at the Piazza outside the BBC's Broadcasting House in London, said Tudor dancing had been "one of the highlights" of his day. He added that he was "overwhelmed" by the money that had been raised for Comic Relief.
In May. we danced at the reenactment of Elizabeth 1st's visit to Oxford in 1566 organised by University Church, Oxford with music by the Oxford Waites. We also performed with Passamezzo at an event at The Medieval Merchants house in Southampton. This event was part of the Southampton commemoration of the 600th anniversary of Agincourt.