#morris dancing

[incendavery]

what a stupid hobby (affectionate)

[baddywronglegs]

Around the world today, the penumbra of the rising of the first sun of May is lined with onlookers and wellwishers, eyes on the eastern horizon to catch the first glimpse of a new season.

Because in our hearts, this is how summer returns to the northern hemisphere; this sun a baton passed in the annual relay as the south prepares for what winter may bring.

Among our number, where the hilltops flatten enough for people to trust their feet in the gloom, for over a century now morris dancers have set out in the fading dark to dance in the dawn, for the same reason we do anything: because it's what we do. That's all tradition is, after all.

And every year, alongside the bells, a passage from Terry Pratchett's Hogfather rings in my mind.

"The sun would have risen just the same, yes?"

NO.

"Oh, come on. You can't expect me to believe that. It's an astronomical fact."

THE SUN WOULD NOT HAVE RISEN.

...

"Really? Then what would have happened, pray?"

A MERE BALL OF FLAMING GAS WOULD HAVE ILLUMINATED THE WORLD.

And so, every year, follow the sound of bells and sticks, the chorus of voices singing Hal And Tow, and you'll find a bunch of knackered weirdos in the middle of nowhere in daft hats and a chill breeze, but proud of what they've done.

After all, we just made the sun rise.

[museumsandfolk]

Another weekend of Morris dancing.

Have some completely unedited photos. They probably need cropping to tidy up the frame. Will I get around to it. Not likely.

[jonasgoonface]

reverie and raging in Bristol part 2 queer Morris dancing, noise demo outside the prison holding the (former) palestine hunger strikers, getting demasked at a different demo, and tunnel raves.

[ohulancutash]

For the first time in 12 years I am *way* too ill to dance the sun up tomorrow, so I want to say now to all of you lovely lot planning your ridiculously early morning tomorrow - good luck! You got this! And a whole lot of love to you all 😊☀️

[fallbabylon]

The Bristol Jack in the Green — revived in 1992 by Pigsty Morris, inspired by the great Hastings revival of 1983 — walked once more through the city streets to herald the coming of summer- Bristol, UK

[dorobro]

Cons of Morris dancing one billion times per week: shin splints

Pros of Morris dancing: calves to make an 18th century maiden swoon

[rherlotshadow]

Moonlight Morris