Dancing out in the West Somerset area
West Somerset is beautiful area and has some stunning villages and panoramas. On a good day, which is most days, you can see all the way to Wales.
We are also very lucky to have many picturesque places to dance such as Porlock Wier (insert) and Dunster as well as some fine hostelries selling traditional local ales and ciders.
After getting back into shape after such a long break, within the Covid-19 rules, the West Somerset Morris commenced outside practice sessions from May through to July. Although rather stiff and rusty, the dancers soon got into their stride with leaps and bounds.
The dancers with the musicians took a brave step and began dancing out in July 2021: Washford Inn and Bicknoller Inn.
This was followed by dancing out at the Bird in Hand at Bishops Lydeard, the Carew Arms at Crowcombe, the Rest and be Thankful at Wheddon Cross and then at Burrowhayes, Luccombe.
Dancing out in 2022 was full of its usual exciting events and the very busy season finished with the West Somerset Morris dancers and musicians celebrating with the Men of Wight their 50th Anniversary. This important event took place on the Isle of Wight over a weekend during September 2022.
Following the dance season dancing and music does not stop. Practise sessions at St. Audries Village Hall continued until Easter 2023 and the new danciing out season begins on April 22nd 2023.
Photos showing the diversity of venues visited over 2022 are on the Gallery page.
Programme for 2023
April 22 Saturday JMO Day of Dance, Exeter
April 30 Sunday Minehead Victorian Steampunk Festival 12 noon (Harbour) and 2 pm (Wellington Square)
May 01 Monday Milverton Street Fair 11.45 am and 1,45 pm (Bank Holiday)
May 04 Thursday Stogumber White Horse 8.00 pm
May 07 Sunday Cannington Coronation Celebration 1.15 pm and 3.00 pm
May 11 Thursday Bicknoller Inn 8.00 pm
May 12 Friday The Square, Wiveliscombe with East Suffolk Morris Men and Sweet Coppin 8.00 pm
May 18 Thursday Carew Arms, Crowcombe with Taunton Deane Morris 8.00 pm
May 25 Thursday Royal Oak Luxborough 8.00 pm
June 01 Thursday Beeches Blue Anchor 8.00 pm and Roadwater Shop/Valiant Solder 9.00 pm
June 03 Saturday Wessex Folk Festival (Weymouth)
June 04 Sunday Wessex Folk Festival (Weymouth)
une 08 Thursday Watchet Esplanade 8.00 pm and Star Inn 9.00 pm
June 15 Thursday Royal Oak, Withypool 8.00 pm
June 17 Saturday Tour (Details to be added)
June 22 Thursday Minehead Seafront 8.00 pm and Minehead Harbour 9.00
June 29 Thursday Goathurst 8.00 pm and Bird in Hand, Bishops Lydeard 9.00 pm
July 04 Tuesday Bootstrap Border, Wiveliscombe (7.30 pm)
July 06 Thursday Farmers Arms, Combe Florey with Sweet Coppin 8.00 pm
July 08 Saturday Carhampton Village Fete 2.00 pm
July 13 Thursday Valley of Rocks Hotel at Lynton 8.00 pm and the Bath Hotel at Lynmouth 9.00 pm
July 20 Thursday Dunster Yarn Market 8.00 pm
July 27 Tuesday Dulverton Bridge Inn 8.00 pm
July 29 Saturday Watchet Carnival Fete 2.30 pm and 4.00 pm
August 03 Thursday Exford, Crown Hotel 8.00 pm
August 10 Thursday Burrowhayes Campsite Luccombe 8.00 pm
August 17 Thursday Halsway Manor Folk Week 7.30 pm
August 24 Thursday Home Farm St Audries 8.00 pm
August 31 Thursday Kildare Lodge Minehead 7.00 pm
October 21 Saturday Minehead Twinning at Minehead Football Club 8.30 pm
December 2 Saturday Dunster by Candlelight 7 pm and 8 pm
December 26 Tuesday Dunster Yarn Market and Mummers Play 11.00 am
Practice Venue 2023 - 2024
St Audries Village Hall
7.30 Thursdays
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