Holt Morris

At around 5.00. pm. on this very day we shall be leading an enthusiastic train of young people in a processional display of the crafty constructions that they have busied themselves with through the day. We shall arrive in the atrium of the music centre where we will dance before ecstatic parents and friends and perform the unique Holt Morris wassail ceremony, assisted by wassail prince and princess. We have done this every year since the inception of this rather wonderful musical event curated by Lisa and Chris Samuel, and it has become a joyous start to our annual programme.
See you there.

It comes to us all, does it not Ladies and Gentlemen, that we reluctantly have to acknowledge the passage of time with all its concomitant connotations...

The originals of this side have been dancing now for just over 30 years and we are not quite as fit as we were. Enthusiastic, yes. Energetic, yes. Weight of the body on the foot at one metre in the air, no.

Fortunately over the years we have managed to attract sideless, itinerant, younger dancers to the squad, persuading them to our esoteric dancing style. So we have been blessed with younger adherents to our tradition. But in order to maintain that worthy tradition long into the future, we need to attract further dancing enthusiasts.

To that end, and in conjunction with our sister side, Bell’s Angels, who find themselves facing the similar dilemma, we are holding this taster event for all of you who may be inclined to give morris dancing a go.

We’ll be starting at 10.00. am. and enjoying the morning through until 1.00. pm., providing demonstrations, introductory tuition, encouragement, a warm welcome AND refreshments.

So, Ladies and Gents of all ages, if there is the hint of a nagging desire to see what our inclusive, entertaining style of Morris is all about, drop in and see us at the Mount Pleasant club on Saturday 14th. March. You surely won’t regret it!

Filming for the Saturday Night Lockdown video

The darned re-run election for Police and Crime commisioner for Wiltshire has interfered with our practice location by using it as a polling station. This is much to your advantage, ladies and gentlemen of our adoring public. In lieu of our standard, self-indulgent, private rehearsal, we shall be up at one of our local watering holes this evening, sharing our development with any of you who care to join us at 8.00 pm. at The Tollgate. And... We’ll be all dressed up in our cozzies too, to provide you with our customary, dazzling, dance spectacle. Hope to see you there!

‘Tis a very sad and strange time that we are all enduring at present, resulting in the suspension of all our vital, morris activities until this somewhat dystopian experience is over. The interim between now and the return to a dancing normality, is presently, to say the least, uncertain. So we invite all our supporters, hungry for a dance fix, to watch this space on the website, whilst listening for any relaxation in government strictures regarding public gatherings for pleasure. We’ll be up and at you just as soon as we can!

In the meantime, you may depend on each of us to be maintaining "tone," exercising and developing our skills, 123-hopping, galleying, handkerchief-wielding, stick-waving and so on, during this period of enforced, splendid, individual isolation. We shall emerge lean, lithe and lissom from our incarceration, fit and eager to entertain.

On a more sombre note, it has come to our attention that one of our morris brethren, Martin Egan, of Bristol Morris Men, has very sadly died, victim of Covid-19. We extend our sympathy to everyone who new him.

We also extend our best wishes to all of our friends in Morrisland and beyond, during this unprecedented period of social fracture.

Go well. Stay well. And see you on the other side...