Chanctonbury Ring Morris Men

Chanctonbury Ring Morris Men have been local guardians of the ancient tradition of Morris dancing since the early 1950s, and will celebrate their 70th anniversary in 2023. And they are looking for new recruits, to help carry their good work into the future.

then the next thing to do is to get in touch!

Chanctonbury dance at local pubs on a Wednesday evening most weeks from May until September; then practice, from October until April.

They practice in the Catholic Church Hall in Henfield, on Wednesday evenings, from 8:00pm until 10:00pm. Then they retire to The Plough for a beer and animated conversation.

So, what sort of person makes a good Morris Man?

“Well, all sorts, really! We are all quite fit, of course, but we come in all shapes and sizes, and from all walks of life; amongst our number we include an astrophysicist, a plumber, a civil servant, even a glider pilot!”

Morris dancing involves mostly a set of six or eight dancers, and the dances might be quite old, although Chanctonbury have devised half a dozen dances of their own more recent tradition. Many English villages would have had their own Morris sides, and at country fairs over the last 250years or so the dancers would have entertained and shown off their skills. Today there are still displays of Morris dancing at public events, but mostly it will be found outside (or inside!) local pubs, still entertaining local folk. Often there will be music and singing after dancing. If all this sounds inspiring,

Look them up at www.crmm. org.uk Then join them for a chat in The Plough at about 10:00pm after practice, or go along to a practice and see what it’s all about. Or do both!

“Morris dancing is lots of FUN! Come and join in!”