Holt Morris

members of holt morris at the Holt VC Primary School fete 2024

We are a Cotswold Morris side from Holt, Wiltshire (near to Bath, Trowbridge, Chippenham, Bradford-on-Avon and Melksham). We started dancing in 1989. We perform a broad mix of Cotswold Morris styles, though many of our dances are based on a liberal interpretation of the Fieldtown morris tradition. We have also borrowed generously from other Cotswold Morris sides.

Holt Morris are always looking to recruit new members, dancers and musicians from the surrounding area. We were formed as a Men’s side, but are transitioning into a mixed side and have already welcomed two lady members. We are pleased to welcome ANYONE who wants to give Morris dancing a try, get some good exercise, join our social activities and, yes, enjoy the odd drink while we are at it…

So if you are interested, get in touch via our contact page and we’ll help you with details of our practices.

NEWS

MEMORIES OF TERRY


BY PETE SMITH

Terry and Jo barbecuing.

We are very, very sad to record the death of our Terry. He died on Sunday 13th October after a long illness. Typically, throughout his illness and despite the difficulties, he managed to come to dance practices and dance outs for as long as he was physically able and, as always, enjoyed being amidst the team. The last morris event he attended was the annual dinner on 22nd June this year.

Terry joined Holt Morris in September 1989, our foundation year, and slotted in seamlessly as a good and reliable dancer. He happily stepped up to organising and participating in events and, with his extensive knowledge of Wiltshire pubs, he was for many years our pub dance out organiser. We have many happy memories of fun times with Terry: those marvellous morris bbqs in the Hopkins’ garden; camping bbqs at Wilksworth Farm on Wimborne Festival trips; pub dance out evenings; the Mount Pleasant Social Club Christmas bash; morris trips and festivals all over the country; and those chaotic and very funny outings to France and Germany.

Terry was a lovely bloke. He radiated warmth, kindness and friendship. He was always there for everyone as a firm friend. Like most of us, he loved sitting and chatting over a beer and made us laugh with his funny asides and pithy common sense. We were very lucky that he joined the side not just because he was a good dancer but also because he was such a great team member, so good for team spirit and such a good character to be around. He represented the best of Holt Morris and we will miss him hugely.

Our thoughts and condolences are with Jo and all in the Hopkins family.

EASTER WEEKEND EGGSTRAVAGANZA


BY JONATHAN NIBBS

Holt Morris Side at the Easter Weekend Extravaganza

Despite the vagaries of isobars, fronts and troughs, we managed to entertain both ourselves and intrepid punters at The Hall, Bradford-on-Avon on Good Friday and Easter Saturday, whilst eliciting a degree of satisfaction from the organisers.

We were gratified to have Trombone Trev in full regalia, along with us for our openers of the season, and were delighted with Jan’s and Wayne’s contributions on their debuts. May they be integral to the longevity of our performance spectacle.

Here they are with most of the rest of us on Easter Saturday.

NEW MUSOS JOIN THE RANKS!


BY JONATHAN NIBBS

Holt Morris Musicians

In line with our new 21st century, enlightened recruitment policy, we take great delight in welcoming Tania Perry (violin) and Jan Flanker Windsor (melodeon) to the ranks of our long-established musician cohort, along with newly multi-purpose Bryan Baker, still raising a leg or two in the dance, and now melodionising. Here they all are in informal assembly.

EVENTS