Thelwall Morris celebrate 50 years of morris dancing in Warrington

THELWALL Morris Men celebrated 50 year of morris dancing in Warrington by hosting a Day of Dance featuring local teams, Bollin Morris (Lymm), Earl of Stamford (Moore) and Kinnerton (Chester) at the weekend.

Thelwall was formed out the folk club which met in the Pickering Arms in Thelwall after an advert was place asking for someone to teach them Morris dancing. Chris Maple answered the call and practices began in August 1973.

There were six founder members of the side and one of them, Geoff Bibby, is still active within the team – currently Foreman, the teacher of the dances. There are also members who joined in those early years who still dance.

Over the years the team grew in strength throughout the 1980s and 90s as interest grew in Morris Dancing nationally. Interest was lost into the millennium and new members are few and far between in Warrington, and in particular Thelwall where there was nil response to an appeal for members posted though every house there.

So, despite the recent hard times Thelwall Morris Men have made it to 50, and though getting much beyond that isn’t looking too good, (some of) the team remain optimistic.

Come and join Thelwall Morris and keep the tradition alive in Warrington.
Check out the website to read all about the team, where to see us and when we practice:
www.thelwallmorris.org.uk