It was the first Saturday in August 2026, under a grey marshmallow sky, the Morris dancers of Perth joined together for their second annual dance out. The Perth Morris Men, The Fair Maids, Mad Tatters and Marlee Morris, showed their skills and happiness to a largish audience of watchers, some sitting comfortably on chairs on the square, some standing, and watching from the side, and others from the comfort of “the magic apple” shop which was a hive of business.
The tunes were played well, by our orchestra, they were in fine form, 3 accordions and 2 drummers. Keeping us on our toes. We danced one long set of an hour, some of us watching the sky, wary of the rain which might fall, but didn’t. The sky held off dampening our efforts, and the wind too, remained gentle, except for an occasional blustery gust. Amidst this precarious environment, each side danced and then resting, except for Dave S and Tom and Rosie, who seemed to dance in nearly everything.
This was also the first dance out for our newest members Zandy and Genevieve. They first joined at our “Come and Try session” in April and the progress they have made in such a short time is amazing.
Of the Marlee dancers, Hunters Moon, involved the most dancers including members of the other sides, and it went well. We Peed on the floor (a morris dance), threw our sticks with gusto, and barely made a mistake!
We finished the main dance with Upton on Severn, which was a combined group of 12 with Perth Morris, this went without a hitch, and our last dance with everyone was Abraham circle dance around the musicians, and then it was over for 2026.
We then adjourned to the Albion Hotel, for a hearty ale, a delicious mull wine, and large plates of food; with tales of bravado and adventure being the conversation. A wonderful time was had by all.
