Photograph and report of AVMM’s taster day on 20 February published in the Banbury Guardian, February 25, 2016

Morris men dancing a good tune

The historic tradition of morris dancing was brought to life in Adderbury on Saturday as members of one of the village teams got together to hold a public open session to attract new members. Adderbury Village Morris Men take part in events across the country, and are known for their distinct top hat and green braces combination. They managed to attract at least one new member ahead of the Day of Dance on April 23, where they, Adderbury Morris Men and the women’s team Sharp and Blunt dance all day at various locations across the village. John Ekers of Adderbury Village Morris Men said: “We’d love to get more people involved, particularly younger ones. We had one person turn up on Saturday who absolutely loved it so we managed to show him five dances in a couple of hours. There is no commitment or costs involved and it is available for all ages.” For more information call John Ekers on 01869 811741

AVMM are hosting a free and open taster session for anyone wanting to learn about Morris dances from the village of Adderbury – and to have a go! The taster session will be on:

Saturday 20 February 2016 at the Adderbury Village Institute from 10am until 12noon.

Some facts about Morris dancing in Adderbury:

• Many villages in Oxfordshire during the 19th century had their own Morris side;
• Morris dances from Adderbury are performed around the world, including in Australia and the USA;
• Streets in Adderbury Fields (off Milton Road) are named after three Morris dancers who died in the First World War;
• AVMM were the subject of an acclaimed film documentary entitled ‘Way of the Morris’
• AVMM only perform dances collected in the village by Janet Blunt who used to live in Le Hall Place, Manor Road
• The annual day of dance attracts visitors from all over the country.

AVMM recruits from Adderbury and surrounding villages and is looking for new members to carry on the tradition – do please join us if you can at the Taster session on 20 February! For further information, please contact John Ekers (01869 811741)

AVMM were pleased to support Sharp and Blunt’s Inaugural Ale on Saturday, 6 February at Kings Sutton Memorial Hall.

Bagman John Ekers writes: We gave a good account of ourselves, dancing: Lads a ‘ Bunchum, beaux of London City, Constant Billy and Flasher before the break and giving a rousing backing to Donald’s McCombie’s wonderful rendition of “They’ll never dance again” after supper. It was a good occasion with sides from Ducklington, Lepton and Armaleggin as well as all three sides from Adderbury.