About Us
The
Yateley Morris Men were formed in 1975 and are based in Yateley, a village
tucked away in the North East corner of Hampshire. The members come from
a wide surrounding area and the side dances traditional English Morris dances
from Cotswold villages such as Bampton, Adderbury and Eynsham.
Yateley Morris Men enjoy dancing throughout the summer. We dance at public houses every Tuesday evening from May to September: we also dance at folk festivals, village fetes or visit other Morris sides.
Highlights of the season include:
- “Dancing the Summer in” at dawn (around 5:30am) on May 1st, at Wyndhams Pond:
- The annual Day of Dance, traditionally held on the third Saturday of September, when other Morris sides visit and finish the day with massed dancing on the green outside The Dog and Partridge.
- On Boxing day, at noon, there is an hour of Morris dancing and the traditional mummers play is performed on the green outside the medieval St.Peter’s Church.
It should be noted that the green is the same one that is outside the Dog
and Partridge! The Yateley Men have their very own 'Hooden Horse'.
This cuddly beast is a true Morris animal in all senses of the word and
enjoys the dancing so much that it follows us around and tries to join in.
Beware!
Click on the picture of the horse to discover a few of his darker secrets!
Each year Yateley Morris Men get far more invitations to dance than we can possibly accept. The programme is settled early in the year so anyone wishing to book us would need to contact the Bagman (secretary) mid-January at the latest.
Yateley Morris Men are proud to be keeping this colourful part of English heritage alive and to support local charities. However, help is needed for the future! New recruits are urgently needed. Practice sessions run from October to April on Tuesdays in the Drama Studio at Yateley Manor School from 8:00-10:00pm. Any men or youngsters, from beginner to experienced dancer/musician are welcome. If you're interested in trying Morris, or just want to find out more about how we enjoy it, contact one of the officers.
If you would like to see lots pictures of us in action throughout the year you can look at our photo gallery.
When
not dancing we can be found enjoying the hospitality of our "home",
The Frog and Wicket at Eversley Cross. If you would ever like to get
in touch with us, just drop in on a Tuesday evening around 10pm during the
practice season.
You will
find The Frog & Wicket opposite the oldest functioning cricket pitch
in England, situated on the Hampshire / Berkshire / Surrey borders, and
on the historical Three Castles Path, a route between Winchester and Windsor
Castles, via Odiham travelled by King John in the 13th Century to sign The
Magna Carta.