Pictures: Morrismen keep 500-year-old tradition alive in West Berks

With midsummer’s day approaching next week, two morris dancing sides joined up for an evening of merrymaking outside West Berks CAMRA Pub of the Year, The Bell at Aldworth, yesterday (Wednesday).

As the sun went down, bells a-jingling, sticks a-cracking, they were keeping a 500-year-old tradition alive, with some lively banter and the added advantage of drinking some fine beer.

The Icknield Way Morris Men are sponsored by Yattendon’s Renegade Brewery and usually frequent the Wantage and Vale of the White Horse areas – although you can catch them at Renegade’s beer festival in September.

They were joined by Kennet Morris Men and their marauding horse who attracted the interest of several neighbourhood dogs. They will be in the locality again on July 17 at The Sun, Whitchurch Hill, and The Queens Head at Bradfield Southend on August 21.

Both sides invite ayone interested in joining them for “fun, fitness and fellowship” to go to one of their taster evenings, Icknield Way on September 13 and 20 and Kennet on October 2 and 9.

More information at wwwicknieldwaymorrismen.org.uk and www.kennetmorrismen.co.uk

Both sides are available for bookings.