What we’ve been up to

Here’s where you’ll find out some of our recent events, dance-outs, musings and news. - random order!

Gloucester Folk Trail - Feb 23

We hit the cobbled and crowded streets of our county town to dance around the docks and streets as part of the second ever Gloucester Folk Trail. It was sweltering - in February! - so much so that the lovely folk at the Turks Head put out our smouldering with free beer. We even got four beards inside and flouted the ‘no Morris dancers’ rule. Thanks, chaps, appreciated!

Stroud Wassail 2019 - Jan 12

Wassail was bleddy brilliant as ever, organised by our good friends in Stroud, with almost 30 sides in attendance. We took over pubs and drank the town dry, dancing on every available corner plus some that weren’t officially there for the taking. We loved being the host side although sitting on cold bollards in hi-viz jackets to keep the parade moving in the right direction played havoc with our tatters.

Fantasy Forest - July 20

Extraordinary weekend with camping, daleks, faeries, mermaids, re-enactments, dragons and an amazing couple of sets by two of our very own. What an enthralling thing this was! Like living for a weekend inside your own head after one too many sherbets.

Or something.

Ledbury - April 18

As guests of the wonderful Silurians, we thoroughly enjoyed Black Meet again this year. It’s a stunning place and the conversations we had on the streets were unforgettable. Bit parky at that time of year - but bashing each other with sticks is an effective method to keep warm. That and the best pork rolls we ever had.

Tales of Witchcraft and Wonder - September 14

Last year’s event was unforgettable, plus it introduced us to some brilliant new members, now absolute stalwarts. So how could we not repeat it this year?

Another wonderful event, and an incredible sunset. (OK, so it’s volcanic dust but it sure looked pretty..)

Stroud Folk Weekend - September 21

Loved it, loved it, loved it. Home turf, loads of other fab sides and a day of dancing around town. Followed by ripping strips off our black tatters for makeshift hankies, to be taught a thing or two in a mass dance by our friends, Stroud Morris.

Roll on Wassail!

Chepstow Mari Lwyd - Jan 19

Despite our feathers crimping in the driving rain, the Chepstow Mari Lwyd was as wonderful as ever, truly mystical. This was the first time some of our dancers had ever been to Wales - convinced one of them they needed a passport…

Bedcote Morris Day of Dance - June 1

Hospitality, dancing, mirth and merriment. Belly dancing. And dragons. Who could ask for anything more? Another amazing day with our old friends from Bedcote, Foxs, Beorma, Belly Fusion, Cardiff Morris, Glorishears and Blackadder. And we even learnt a new dance, which we have yet to add to the repertoire - so many new things to learn, so little time ….. Already looking forward to next year.

Upton Folk Festival - May 5

Upton just gets better and better. Not quite as blastingly hot as last year, this year saw even more sides and even more merriment. We met up with old friends and made some new ones. This always feels like the official start of the summer.

Randwick Wap - May 11

Another hot day, with most of us caught out in our warm tatters when we ended up standing around for speeches, flowers, ceremonies and a blessing for a bus stop. But a wonderful ritual in a spectacular village just outside Stroud.

Chippenham Folk Festival

Packed with dancers of every type, Chippenham was brilliant. Plus you’re right in town should you need to buy emergency modesty pants (it was a tad blowy). And we performed on a proper stage in front of a seated audience with a green room and an allocated slot. Squire loves an allocated slot..

Stroud Goodwill Evening - Dec 9 ‘18

We joined the kids’ lantern parade around town to welcome in the Christmas 2018 season, danced our feet off and some of our side even had their very first dance-out which they finished with aplomb. Was a tiny bit parky. But that’s the thing with Morris - it’s usually either freezing or baking hot.

Frampton with Miserden - July 11

A great evening out in Frampton-upon-Severn dancing out with our friends Miserden Morris - and boy can some of them move!

Random moments

Stonehenge - 23 June

The Cotswold Order of Druids invited us to perform at their ceremony inside the circle at Stonehenge, a rare privilege. We were driven past tourists to the site by bus, spent an incredible two hours watching rituals, pledges, betrothals and one of our own being inducted, then performed an old dance we’d re-learnt perfectly - ‘Stones’ - before sharing the ceremonial mead and cake. Unforgettable and moving, this was yet another 2019 highlight. We finished by performing spontaneously outside the visitor centre and cafe, which proved irresistible to selfie-hunters and visitors of all nationalities.

Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester

How could we resist? 80 European Young Farmers, on a week-long trip to the UK and desperate for dancing and party games in the tithe barn. They were amazing!! The best time was had, 80 newspaper sticks were ceremoniously dispatched, and some of us actually survived with all our limbs.

All together, now - ‘Big Beefy Bullocks’!!