18 September 2024
In the early 1930’s Mrs. Charlotte Oakey moved to Bathampton to become become head teacher of the village school. She came from the village of Corston on the other side of Bath where she had already built up teams of folk dancers. It was only natural that she included Morris Dancing in the activities of the school's Scout group. In 1934 Mrs Oakey’s Boys assembled in Bathampton to dance the Morris; they were later to change their name to the Bathampton Morris Men. By 1936, the dancers from Bathampton were performing in public and achieved the first of their many successes at a competitive folk dance festival.
90 years later the current side celebrated that occasion with a day of dance in Bath and Bathampton, entertaining the tourists from 10am in a very busy city ... it was the Jane Austen weekend! All then headed to their home village of Bathampton where they danced outside the Bathampton school where it all began. Later they were the star attraction at Bathampton village fete.
The side thanks everyone who has supported them over the years and they look forward to another 90 years dancing!!
For more on the history of the team (from which I have shamelessly borrowed) see their website history page