Taunton
Deane Morris Men were founded in 1973 and danced out for the first time on
July 15th 1974. We are a revival side, that is to say we do not continue a dancing
tradition in Taunton. Our kit consists of a white shirt and trousers with a blue
and yellow baldric, echoing the colours of the coat of arms of Taunton. The badge
at the centre of the baldric was the design of the old assay mark of Taunton (precious
metals were assayed in Taunton around 1640 to 1700).
Over
the years we have helped organise, or taken part in, many memorable events including
exchange visits with a folk dance group in Lisieux, Taunton's twin town in
France; family week-ends with East Surrey and Greensleeves Morris Men;
our annual cycle tour (tiring but satisfying) and as for the pump trolley tour
from Blue Anchor to Minehead on the West Somerset Railway.....
In
December 1977 we held our first Border Morris day tour of Taunton
collecting for a local charity. This has since become an annual event, the charity
being nominated by the Squire.
In
1998 we celebrated our 25th Anniversary with
a week-end of dance in Bradford on Tone, a village near Taunton. We were jointly
assisted in this venture by Sweet Coppin clog dancers, the local ladies
team who happened to be celebrating their 21st Anniversary. (We think they
were lying about their age!)
What
of the future - who knows? We'll still be dancing anyway.
In
2001 we enjoyed a weekend during August in Epsom helping East Surrey
Morris Men celebrate their 75th Anniversary.
In
August 2003 we spent the weekend in Hambridge, Somerset at the Cecil
Sharp Centenary Festival of Folk Dance and Song.
June 2004 found us at Polperro Festival in Cornwall a weekend of
fun, dance, song and mist. We met up with Three Spires Clog Dancers from
Lichfield.
In
June 2005 following an invitation from Three
Spires we spent a weekend at Lichfield Folk Festival.
We
had a busy summer in 1987 including South Petherton Folk Festival,
Carn Brea Morris Men's Weekend in Cornwall and another weekend with
Assemblee du Vieux from Lisieux.
August
1990 saw us in the Isle of Wight at a Morris Ring Meeting as guests
of the Men of Wight Morris Men.
In
1976 we were invited to dance at what was then the Sidmouth International
Folk Festival and in September of the same year at a meeting in Chester we
were admitted into the Morris Ring of England.
August
1992 we were in the the Forest of Dean for their Morris Ring Meeting.
In
June 1994 as part of our 21st Anniversary year we hosted a weekend
in the Cotwolds near Broadway. Traditional
morris teams from Ilmington and Chipping Camden
joined us during the weekend.
July
1995 saw us giving support to the Sealed Knot at the Battle of Langport.
July
1996 we were in Derbyshire at the Buxton Festival as guests of Chapel-en-le-Frith
Morris Men.
In
June1997 we danced at the last South Petherton Folk Festival.
Since
our formation we have always had an Easter Monday Tour, usually around
Taunton Deane. This is when we distribute Simnel Cake to members of the
audience (if any!). From May onwards we have a series of evening tours culminating
with a visit to Sidmouth during the festival week.
