15 August 2024
The Flowers of Ilmington, one of the latest sides to join the Morris Ring, were presented with the "official" staff of office by the Ring Squire, Nigel Strudwick. The occasion was, fittingly, the Stratford-upon-Avon Ring meeting.
The Day of Dance was organised by Shakespeare Morris to celebrate their 65th anniversary and they used this event to raise money for the fabulous The Shakespeare Hospice who are celebrating their 25th year.
The Mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon, Jason Fojtik welcomed the dancers to Stratford, met and talked to the various sides and joined in with a dance.
The dancers joining Shakespeare Morris were, 1st Sedgley Morris, Anker Morris Men, Belle D'Vain Northwest Morris, Bow Brook Border Morris, Flowers of Ilmington Morris, Foxs Border Morris, Gidderskins, The Gloucestershire, Jockey Morris, Ledbury Morris, Nancy Butterfly Women's Morris Dancers and White Hart Morris Men.
The 12 morris teams were on walking tours of Stratford-upon-Avon taking in scenic spots including Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Holy Trinity church and Shakespeare’s New Place concluding with mass dance spots on the riverside Bancroft Gardens.
Many thanks to Steve Archer for the photographs.
(There are many more photos of the day on the Shakespeare Morris Facebook Page)
