THE BELLS are back in town as the Wessex Morris Men enjoy a busy start to the summer season.
The dancing group may have kept out of the public eye for most of the winter but they have been busy learning new dances and honing their older ones.
The members are now raring to go and show off the fruits of their labours in public.
The season got underway last night (Mon Apr 20) with a performance at The Halsey Arms in Pulham.
The venue is close to the Morris Men's hearts as it is where they retire for refreshments after testing workouts in the village hall opposite during practice season.
They will then be at St George's Church from 7.30pm on Thursday to mark St George's Day.
A busy evening will then see them dance on to the nearby Bull's Head pub for 8.15pm before a final performance at the Brewhouse and Kitchen in Weymouth Avenue, Dorchester, from 9pm.
The Morris Men will be back in the Dorchester area on Monday, April 27 when they dance at The Poet Laureate in Poundbury from 7.30pm before going on to the Sun Inn at Lower Burton at 8.15pm and a 9pm performance at the Three Compasses in Charminster.
May Day is a special day for the Morris Men and Friday, May 1 will be an early start with the group dancing down the hillside above the Cerne Giant at Cerne Abbas at 5.15am in time to dance at sunrise.
They will be led by the fearsome looking Dorset Ooser as they head into Cerne Abbas village carrying sprigs of May blossom and dance in the village square at 7.30am.
After breakfast they will conclude the tour by dancing by the steps of Sherborne Abbey from 10.30am.
There is no let up for the Wessex Morris men with a busy bank holiday Monday on May 4 featuring dances at the Haynes Motor Museum, Sparkford, The Stag's Head Inn at Yarlington, Durslade Farm at Bruton, the Seymour Arms at Witham Friary, The Somerset Arms at Maiden Bradley and The White Lion Inn at Bourton.
Wessex Morris Men are the longest-established morris dancing side in Dorset, having been founded in 1957.
For their full programme and updates on the group visit wessexmorrismen.co.uk
CONTACT ME
t: 01305 269801
e: harry.hogger@dorsetecho.co.uk
twitter: @echodorch
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here