The Harberton Navy evolved as a Nautical offshoot from the successful Harberton Morris, under its first Admiral Phil Sheardown. Phil is an enthusiastic paddler of Canadian Canoes. A gentle paddle down the River Dart in the sunshine, for a picnic, proved an irresistible attraction for a number of us, so with a significant number of people enjoying the combined activities, Nautical, Social, Epicurean and of course the Morris, the Harberton Navy was born.

The side started with experienced dancers and musicians so we were able to attend Folk Festivals with confidence in our first year, 1995. Our presence made itself felt at Hastings and Chippenham as well as a number of local venues. Chippenham is one of our favourite festivals with the river so close to the caravan site. Frequent cruises upriver to swim with the Moorhens, ducks and swans, as far as we can get before the boats ground in the shallowing river. One year our boats were needed to navigate the caravan site itself, taking much needed supplies (beer) into stranded tents and awnings.

Not all our cruises are in idyllic conditions. Phil's early sailing directions took the flotilla into some interesting Estuaries, in interesting conditions. 'Master and Mariner'! we have been there. As well as stormy Ocean cruises, some of us have been camping in deep frost over New Years eve, or navigating the fast flowing water of the middle Dart in February. Not all our members are that intrepid, or indeed not all of our members canoe. It is not compulsory and there is much in our activities that people find attractive.

Never growing to be a large dancing side, we nevertheless are a socially close-knit side, very much enjoying each others company and gathering as a group relatively often. Our culinary expertise has no bounds, the majority of the partners involved in our group enjoy cooking. With the necessary glass of wine, of course. Each couple will bring to a party enough for everyone to eat, only to find that everyone else has brought enough for everyone as well, Oops! We eat well. Part of our Social activity has included a culinary "journey" around the world, visiting a different port of call every other week; Morroco, Russia, India, Italy, China, North and South America, all have been enjoyed, as well as festive occasions such as Halloween in fancy dress, and at Christmas when we have performed our Mummers play and when the side tour our village singing Christmas Carols.

Recent years have seen us under the capable leadership of our current admiral Paul Brierley and foreman Cat Radford, dancing Cotswold old and new as well as the odd Border Dance?? Hmm! Very odd. Flags? what flags?

No longer quite the intrepid Matelots that we were, we still take to the water now and then and socialise often. We will attend festivals, at least one big one a year and some smaller events, perhaps near to home.

Why do we what we do? We simply feel that the whole activity is enjoyable, we enjoy the interaction between our selves and other sides, we enjoy the physical activity and the mental stimulation, the continuation of tradition and the entertainment of an audience. We feel that we give pleasure to other people and we enjoy ourselves as well. What better reason for doing Morris dancing is that. Why are we a mixed side? No particular reason, other than perhaps the most important person to me is my wife, and I by far prefer to participate in this activity with her, rather than to exclude her. A sentiment shared by the majority of our members.

A J Duncan