It's Morris Dancing season, when you might find 'sides' outside pubs, in town squares, or around the village pond. They add glamour to any Spring or Early Summer event.
If you've never seen them, this video is very typical of their dancing.
Morris dancing is a 'normal' event in England, and not done for tourism purposes. It is a part of our annual seasonal celebrations. The dancers tend to just 'turn-up' unannounced, so it's not always easy to plan where to see them in advance; however, if you've never seen them do look out for them around May 1st, which is known here as Beltane.
Memories of growing up in a small village in Somerset, they came every year.
ReplyDeleteLike my village in Surrey!
DeleteThat was a nice way to start my Sunday morning. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI aim to please!
DeleteYou should give it a try. It would be good exercise!
ReplyDeleteErm... I think not.
DeleteBelieve it or not Liverpool - where I grew up - had a Morris Dancing tradition (albeit not exactly mainstream). Having left Merseyside over half a century ago I just wondered if it was still going and I'm pleased to say that it is.
ReplyDeleteI think they're found all over; even in NZ, Oz, and the USA.
DeleteThey are far more organized than you think Cro. If you are free next Thursday at 7:30 why don’t you pop down to the Bedford Tavern and you can see some…it’s only five mins or so away from you.
ReplyDeleteIf you haven’t left for France by the end of the month, in May 31st, there is a “Day of DanceL and you will be able to see lots of different Morris Men
Yes, I'm sure they're actually very organised, but in my case I usually come across them by chance. I'm a bit immobile at the moment, but I shall tell Lady M. Thank you.
DeleteI've seen the Morris dancers a few times. They perform in Cambridge, MA at Harvard around Christmas time. They attract many and bring good cheer.
ReplyDeleteThey would be good for Christmas; very festive.
DeleteLovely to see English men doing traditional dancing. I enjoyed watching and listening to that. Real men do dance 😅
ReplyDeleteAnd they wear silly outfits too.
DeleteWe were on holiday in Ilfracombe Devon in the 1980's and came across such dancers. It was the first time we'd seen any live. We watched with some interest but my husband said he never wanted to see any again.
ReplyDeleteAs one of the men danced past our table he stole a handful of chips from my husband's lunch! He never forgot that, the cheek of it.😲 😀
J.
Were the dancers called 'The Seagulls'? Pinching chips is not really part of the dance!
Delete