Weald of Kent Morris

See some recordings of our performances going way back to our very first performance in 1989

See our Photo Scrapbook

Email Tim Dwyer if you want any further information.

2024 Programme

(revised 17 Feb 2024)

All times are local UK time

 

Nearest postcode
Sunday 14th April 1pm Bell and Jorrocks Beer Festival, Frittenden TN17 2EJ
Wednesday 1st May The 36th Annual Mayday Celebration
5.31am The church gates, Goudhurst TN17 1AL
Followed by .. Early Breakfast at The Halfway House
....and visits to local schools and pubs
Wednesday 8th May 7.30pm The Woolpack Inn, Benover ME18 6AS
Wednesday 15th May No tour planned tonight
Wednesday 22nd May 7.30pm The Eight Bells, Hawkhurst TN18 4NX
Sunday 26th May 11am - 1pm Cranbrook goes nuts TN17 3EB
Thursday 30th May 8pm The Good Intent, Farleigh
as guests of Kits Coty Morris
ME15 0NN
Wednesday 5th June No tour planned tonight
Wednesday 12th June 7.30pm The Milk House, Sissinghurst TN17 2JG
Saturday 15th June - Benenden Fete
Due to the forecast of tempestuous weather, we will not be dancing at the fete which will now take place in and around Benenden church.
TN17 4DN
Wednesday 19th June 7.30pm The Star and Eagle, Goudhurst TN17 1AL
Wednesday 26th June 7.30pm The Rose and Crown, Clay Hill, Beckley
together with Romney Marsh Morris
TN31 6SE
Wednesday 3rd July 7.30pm Lord Raglan, Rabbits Cross TN12 0DE
Wednesday 10th July 7.30pm CANCELLED (due to Euros semis)
Wednesday 17th July 7.30pm Halfway House, Brenchley TN12 7AX
Wednesday 24th July 7.30pm Bell and Jorrocks, Frittenden TN17 2EJ
Wednesday 31st July 7.30pm The Bull, Benenden TN17 4DE
Saturday, 28th December 12.15pm'ish Festive tour to be confirmed TN17 2EJ
2025
Thursday 1st May 2025 The 37th Annual Mayday Celebration

 

A Potted History of Morris & Weald of Kent Morris

written by Charlie Jacobs, late Squire of Weald of Kent MM

 

We are often asked how and when Morris dancing started. There are many theories but nobody knows for sure. We do know that it is a very old custom and believe that it had its origins as a means of ensuring fertility for crops, animals and perhaps for our forebears themselves! Even today many believe that there is powerful magic in a Morris Man's hat and we would advise any young woman against wearing one.

The dances which we perform came originally from the Cotswolds but different forms of dance came from other parts of the country, notably ceremonial clog dancing from Lancashire and Cheshire and two types of sword dancing from Yorkshire, Durham and Northumberland. Cotswold Morris was traditionally danced by men and each village had its own style of dancing. Most Morris dancing had ceased by the turn of the century but luckily it was seen by the well-known folk song collector, Cecil Sharp and others who made notes on most of the dances that we do today.

Every dance has its own tune. The music was provided, in the earliest times, by the pipe and tabor. Later came the fiddle, concertina and melodeon and in more modern times, the piano accordian. The Weald of Kent Morris use all of these instruments for their dancing.

Though we have no knowledge from the past of Morris dancing in this county, one of our characters is purely Kentish. The Hooden Horse and his attendants were part of an old custom which came from the Isle of Thanet in East Kent. We took pity on this one and now he follows us everywhere. We hope he will not be too much of a nuisance to you - he means well.

We hope you enjoy our performance and will take part in another old tradition, the collection. This should ensure for you, good luck and fertility and only temporary poverty.

The Weald of Kent Morris were formed in November 1988 and first appeared in public on Mayday 1989. We practise in the church rooms, Goudhurst on Wednesday evenings throughout the winter and we dance locally throughout the summer.

Any potential new members will be made welcome.

To contact the side email Tim Dwyer

Charlie Jacobs during our trip to Vermenton, France

A map of our where we will dance in 2024
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