Morris dancers keep 500-year-old tradition alive at Ridgeway village

Pictures Geoff Fletcher

Two local morris sides shared dancing honours outside The Bell at Aldworth on Wednesday evening.

As the sun went down, their accordions and concertinas struck up traditional tunes as Icknield Way Morris from the Vale of the White Horse and Kennet Morris stamped their feet, clashed wooden sticks, waved handkerchiefs, and jangled bells attached to their shins to mark the rhythm of their dances.

It was good to see two young recruits ensuring the continuation of the 500-year-old tradition in The Icknield Way side.

The evening’s dancing at the Ridgeway village proved thirsty work… and the dancers and musicians downed a refreshing pint or two at the CAMRA award-winning pub that has its own Aldworth Brewing Co attached, with the pub’s famous filled rolls for sustenance.

Kennet Morris will be dancing at Silchester’s Calleva Arms on Monday, June 23 (8pm), and The Greyhound in Whitchurch-on-Thames on Monday, July 7 (8pm).