Something was in the air on Saturday morning.
Our village was celebrating Spring and its bounty!
My lovely sister-in-law tunes up her concertina...
...and the Medusa Morris ladies begin!
It could only be England!
I explained to my neighbour Mrs W that this is how they welcome Spring in Harrogate. "Must be a rain dance!" she said.
***
As you say, only in England. What glorious photos and what beautiful dancers. I love their focus and attention to what they're doing - it's as though the rain doesn't actually touch them! Wonderful - and so different from our local celebration this weekend where it was clear that Health and Safety has no jurisdiction!
ReplyDeleteAxxx
Yes you are so right - in fact I hadn't noticed that intense focus until you pointed it out.
DeleteThey are positively in the Morris Zone!
Lady Morris Dancers are so much more to my taste. I love their outfits and their sense of camaraderie togetherness revealed here. It looks as if they may have sent the rain packing!
ReplyDeleteThey are lovely aren't they? Yet another reminder that older ladies can be active and beautiful.
DeleteI took a workshop in Renaissance Dance years ago. The footwork in your photos looks similar. It is hard! Thanks again for illustrating a piece of English history.
ReplyDeleteThe steps are very light, complex and dainty and they never put a foot wrong.
DeleteI love Medusa Ladies Morris! I used to play in the band for a Morris side and we used to herald May by playing and dancing in Hambleden, Berkshire. I well remember trying to play the violin under an umbrella.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what Berkshire Morris dancing is like? Many of my ancestors are from that area - was this Hambleden once in Buckinghamshire?
DeleteThe Medusa Morris women are fabulous. Great post Nilly. x
ReplyDeleteThey are indeed fabulous and also part of a great Yorkshire tradition!
DeleteAll this inspite of it raining.Some lovely set of pictures. That first on is well framed.
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy watching Morris Dancing, so very enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteIt is fun, I agree. I love the dainty Medusa ladies and also the rather scary Goth Morris dancers Hunters Moon!
DeleteDo love the way that Morris has developed into so many interesting and entertaining forms. It really is fun.
ReplyDeleteI agree - see above reply - Hunters Moon are very good!
Delete