FROM THE ARCHIVES: THE WILTSHIRE SONG
BY PHIL
A BLAST from the past! Well, 4th July 2009 to be exact. Holt Morris Announcer/Dancer Jonathan Nibbs leads the side in a hearty rendition of ‘The Wiltshire Song’.
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
REVIEW: BATH AND WEST SHOW, 29TH MAY 2013
BY JONATHAN NIBBS
ELEVEN O’CLOCK saw us once again on “The Village Green” at The Shepton Mallet Show Ground where, to a hugely enthusiastic crowd of at least a dozen people (including Colin’s younger family members, James’s father, and a couple of our more obviously encouraging wives), we performed a very tidy set - the approbation for which brought about intermittent sunshine for most of the day until about 4.30 pm when rain set in.
Intermittent periods of dance precision were interspersed with some interesting improvisational meanderings by certain nameless members of the side during the afternoon set, after some hearty interim real ale consumption. The responses from the crowd - now augmented by a goodly number of real people - were as enthusiastic as were the attempts from the side to bring the wandering miscreant dancers into line. Cheering… or jeering? Whatever… We all agreed that, overall, our performance was worthy of public exhibition - as did the organisers of the Village Green programme, who intimated that our presence will be desired next year, member survival rates allowing.
On, then, to the Cider Tent and the now traditional out-of-season Wassail. This year’s spirit-meddling ritual, we believe, will bear serious fruit this coming Autumn if the proliferate orchard blossom, the dignity and application of Alice, our Wassail Queen, the quality of the rendering of The Gloucester Wassail and the noisy enthusiasm of the assembled cider aficionados (James and his father included) is in any way indicative. Must have been a reasonable harvest after our efforts last season, as the generosity of the producers threatened to overwhelm… Jugs of cider overflowed… Pretty darned good, as was “The Hollow Tree” and “The Rose.”
This curiously improvised and aberratively-timed version of the January festival left us all feeling rather pleased with the days efforts. The justification (or otherwise) for our satisfaction rests with the public, most of whom have remained silent on the matter…
Another great day out for us all.
ALL PUMPED UP FOR 2013!
BY JONATHAN NIBBS
GREAT NEWS – Holt are back at the 2013 Village Pump Festival! After the festival’s year off in 2011, we were tickled pink to be invited to perform at 2012 VP Festival, which was a delightful affair: lovely atmosphere, good music and more sun than in the whole of June 2012 (not difficult, really).
So we’re really happy to be invited back for the 2013 festival, which runs from 26th to 28th July. No one seems absolutely sure, but we think this will be our 14th appearance at “the Pump” since our first foray in 1992... Reason enough, if any were needed, to quaff a glass or three of the fine local ales and ciders.
EVENTS
LITTLE GREEN MAN EVENT, VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT BRADFORD-ON- AVON
Following the demise of the wonderful large-scale Green Man Festival organised by our very own Alfie and Jan Windsor over the last few years, they have invited Moonrakers Morris and Bells Angels to join us to celebrate on a smaller scale. Great stuff, you two!
PUB DANCE-OUT, THE GREEN TREE , GREEN ST. BATH.
Keeping up the tradition established over the last few years, here we are guests of Somerset Morris. Lovely pub… Lovely company. Lovely setting. Lovely load of punters often from all corners of the globe, Bath being what it is touristically.
PUB DANCE-OUT., THE RED LION, HEYTESBURY.
This is our annual opportunity to meet up with old friends Sarum Morris, at a new, refreshing location which, nevertheless, is roughly equidistant from our respective Wiltshire headquarters. All the more important now that Wimborne Festival is no longer a fixture in our dance calendar.
SOLSTICE DAY OF DANCE, LOCATIONS IN LACOCK, WILTS.
Another event to be moving towards a regular calendar fixture, we welcome another 9 sides from around and about to assemble in celebration throughout this most beautiful of Wiltshire villages. Our thanks again to Alfie for his co-ordinatory enthusiasm and acumen.
PUB DANCE-OUT, THE BARGE INN, SEEND CLEEVE.
A trip out to this peaceful, canal-side hostelry. From 7.30. pm. onwards we shall be destroying their punter’s tranquility with our particular brand of boisterousness. Lovely location. Come join us. The weather in mid-July is bound to be conducive.
PUB DANCE-OUT., THE THREE MAGPIES, SELLS GREEN.
Another of our regular dance-out venues where “their hosts” always extend a very warm welcome. We are often greeted by narrow-boat holiday-makers seeking sustenance and distraction away from their fox-hangers overnight isolation. And of course, we provide the distraction…
PUB DANCE-OUT. , THE GREYHOUND, BROMHAM.
This one is especially set up to accommodate Chris, who will be able easily to find his way through the gathering gloaming, to the warmth of his early-Autumn hearth and duvet immediately across the village car-park from the pub. The rest of us will be making our weary way somewhat further South, at the end of what will be the final pub dance-out of our busy season. Feel free to join us for this celebratory occasion!