Dance aerobics with a difference!
Sarum Morris will be re-starting their weekly practice sessions at Wilton Community Centre on Thursday 19th September, (8pm-10pm). They meet at the Centre to practice each week from September through to April before embarking on a busy schedule of appearances over the summer and are always on the look-out for new members!
Sarum is the ancient name for Salisbury and Sarum Morris, who have been dancing in and around Salisbury since 1982 dress in white, blue and gold – the City of Salisbury colours. They perform dances collected from the Cotswold villages of Bampton, Ilmington and Oddington and a few others they have composed and arranged themselves! Sometimes they are also accompanied by their ‘beast’ HobNob and on special occasions Christoper the Giant also comes along to watch.
In 2024 they danced at the Salisbury Mayor Making day, Winchester MayFest, Chippenham Folk Festival, Patches Parade in Salisbury’s international Arts Festival, the Salisbury Museum, Wimborne Folk Festival, Stonehenge, Swanage Folk Festival and of course the Wilton Carnival and the switching on of the Wilton Christmas lights along with several pubs in Wiltshire and beyond.
The dances may look complicated but they are quite easy to learn when broken down into their component parts and there is plenty of time over the autumn and winter to pick up the steps and get dancing – no previous experience necessary! Last year they had six new starters join in October and all of them have been dancing out at events this summer.
It’s a great way to exercise and a great way to see places and socialise. At many of the events they are joined by other Morris sides making it a great way to meet people and exchange ideas.
They do not run to make a profit and all money they receive from appearance fees or collections from the audience goes towards running costs alongside member subscriptions. Each year they make donations to local charities which in recent years have been close to £1,000 every year. They will be announcing their chosen charities for 2025 at their AGM on 12th September.
If you fancy having a go either as a dancer or musician then please come along on 19th September (or any Thursday night) or get in touch with them by either calling Carolyn, their secretary on 01722 741291 or emailing sarum.morrisbag@outlook.com
Selection of pictures below from 2024:
Dancing at Dawn on May 1st at Old Sarum
At Stonehenge with Hobnob
Dancing at Salisbury Hospice Fair at Wilton House
Dancing along the promenade at Lyme Regis Day of Dance
Waiting to appear at Patch’s Parade in Salisbury with Christopher the Giant and William of Wilton
