Morris Dancers in Stratford

Morris Dancers in Stratford - jingling bells, colourful costumes and lots of  energy.

Ribbons on their clothes, flowers around their hats and bells on their legs, – this was the mass of Morris dancers who descended on Stratford on Avon this Saturday.

Everywhere was the sound of jingling bells, accordions playing their merry tunes and sticks clacking together; on street corners, beer gardens and outside the Shakespeare Theatre, troops of Morris dancers from all of the country were performing with such enthusiasm it was a real treat to watch.


This was by far the most impressive Morris dancing I have ever witnessed as no sooner had I seen one troop perform with gusto than another would take their place, each group different in their colourful costumes and style dancing to such music as the Stick Song.
Milling among the crowds of visitors, the dancers made their way through the streets of the town in their distinguishing garb, accompanied by the unmistakable sound of jingles, a beat of the drum and the sound of clogs on the pavement everywhere you went.

It is a shame that they are not invited to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games - but perhaps Morris dancers don't really fit in with their English village theme.

Joint Morris Organisations Day of Dance, Stratford on Avon, 30^th June 2012

And riverside fun ...

At the same time as the Morris dancers performing in the town, the Stratford’s River Festival was taking place on the opposite bank.  Stalls of all types were assembled along the river bank and around the bandstand. The river was filled with boats of all sizes, including some carefully crafted model boats and dozens of colourful narrow boats adorned with fluttering bunting.

This is a two day event so I hope the weather stays good for the Sunday and the planned fireworks on the river tonight.

What a great way to spend the day in Shakespeare's Stratford :-)