Dancing round the maypole

LOVERS of old English traditions welcomed the coming of May 1 by holding a maypole and morris dancing afternoon for everyone to join in with, writes Sue Corcoran.

Hurst Morris People (HuMP), who dance in the Cotswold style, organised the event on Sunday at Hurst Village Hall.

They welcomed dozens of visitors including OBJ Border morris dancers based in Bracknell and Reading’s Aldbrickham Clog and Step Dancers.

The three dance sides performed their different dance traditions.

Then their spectators turned into performers, joining in maypole dancing, taught by folk dancer Andrew Godfrey.

HuMP’s first pub night of 2019 is on Thursday, May 9 at the Heron on the Ford, Landsend Lane in Charvil at 7.30pm. Shinfield Shambles morris will dance with them.

On May 16 HuMP and Borderline Morris will dance at The Wheelwright’s Arms, Davis Way, Hurst at 7.30pm.

For more details, log on to www. hump.org.uk

Daniel Ricketts and his mum Karen Ricketts who is squire (leader) of Hurst Morris People at the side’s maypole and morris day