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.

SKIP TO EVENTS

NEWS

REVIEW: TWO TUNNELS OPENING, 6TH APRIL 2013


BY JONATHAN NIBBS

THIS TURNED OUT to be the first day of Spring! The Sun was out, the sky was Blue. There was not a cloud to spoil the view… and to cap it all, Chris turned up with Hoppy on their tandem, cycling through at least one of the afore-mentioned tunnels against the tide of about three thousand sustrans cyclists just aching to christen the route, after its official opening, from the event field where we danced to considerable acknowledgement and some degree of acclaim.

The event was also notable as our first under the auspices of our new sponsors Box Steam Brewery. But we were unable to make much of a feature of this new extremely positive relationship, despite the rather obvious connection between their product, Tunnel Vision, and the event, because apart from the name on the pump, there was no visual evidence around the bar to suggest that our benefactors were there, Bath Ales being rather more to the fore.

This lack of connection however, did not interfere with our enthusiasm or our rhythm and neither did the intrusion upon “Shepherds Hay” of the young electric covers band not ten metres away from our doughty musicians Ray and Colin.

We ended the day in high spirits, despite it having followed hard on the celebrations of the previous evening. (See- A night at the casino Ladies Night, 5th. April)

A satisfying start to the new outdoor season.

A NIGHT AT THE CASINO: LADIES NIGHT, 5TH APRIL 2013


BY JONATHAN NIBBS

AND WHAT A winning night it proved to be. Not least for Jonathan Nibbs who amassed huge totals at the roulette wheel after negative success at the Table Horse-racing left him with only one chip to bargain with… What a gambler… He walked away with a prize of dinner for two… A Fray Bentos steak and kidney pie, tin of spuds and a tin of baked beans (Way less than a tenner’s worth- M. & S. eat your heart out) Bryan Baker walked away with “The Squire’s Shield” for his services as Squire to the side over the past five years. Everyone walked away replete and very cheerful after wonderful food, courtesy of Sarah (and Dave) of The Glove Factory Café, free wine on the bag, and cheap Tunnel Vision from our new sponsors, Box Steam Brewery.

Our thanks to Social Sec. Neil Brocklehurst, Nerys, Billie and Conjuror Extraordinaire, Paul, for the tremendous organisation and entertainment.

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!