Local Morris sides dance for Pudsey

PHOTO - Tinners Dancers and Musicians with Pudsey. (R-L) Ed, Jacob, Corrine, Kim, Ian, Dave, Pudsey, Chris O, Tom, Chris B and Bill from Dartmoor Border

Two local Morris Dancing sides, Tinners Morris and Winkleigh Morris, joined other dancers from all over the South West for a day of dance in Tavistock.

The event for Children in Need was organised by Dartmoor Border Morris and attracted over 200 dancers and musicians. The day started with a massed dance in the historic Bedford Square where all the sides mixed for a colourful performance of ‘Tinners Rabbits’

Throughout the day the different sides danced in locations around the town providing entertainment for residents and visitors. Pudsey Bear and members of Dartmoor Border Morris were also on hand to collect donations for the Children in Need charity. An amazing total of £1,771.00 was collected from the generous folk in Tavistock.

Both Tinners and Winkleigh provided some energetic and impressive dancing. Highlights for Tinners was performing their six-person dance with ten people, and not bumping into each other, as well as a two-person jig featuring one of the oldest members with one of the youngest. Winkleigh provided a colourful display with their unique style of dancing and were joined by their hobby horse ‘Winkle’ in a number of dances before going on a traction engine tour of the town.

Our other local side, Coggs and Wheels, were not able to get to Tavistock as they were dancing at the St Clement Day Celebrations at Finch Foundry in Sticklepath.

All of the local sides welcome new members and folks to just come and have a go. They all meet regularly during the practice season (October to April), Tinners at South Zeal on most Sunday mornings. Winkleigh at Winkleigh on Tuesday evenings and Coggs and Wheels at South Zeal on Thursday evenings.