English Morris Dancers celebrate May Day 2024

The Ashdown Forest is an area of outstanding natural beauty, situated 40 miles (48 km) south of London. It’s here that A.A.Milne’s (the creator of the Winnie the Pooh stories) memorial looks out across one of the most un-spoilt areas of land in the United Kingdom.
At 05:32 am this morning (1st May) when most people are still asleep, The Ashdown Forest Morris Men gathered together with their large sticks, ribbons, jangling bells, oversized hankies, ​and baldrics, for music and dance for the annual May Day celebrations.
The origins of Morris dancing are lost in the midst of time but there are references to Morris reaching back to the fifteenth century. For many the gestures of the dance are symbolic; the waving of hankies will chase away evil spirits, and the clashing of sticks wakes the earth from its winter slumber. On May Day, for some being able to see the sunrise symbolizes good fortune and this is why some celebrations start so early in the day. The Morris is generally associated with bringing good luck and fertility to the land and those who watch its performance.
Conditions were chilly with a light breeze. This didn’t seem to deter the Morris dancers or the assembled spectators some of whom came prepared with blankets and flasks of hot drinks. The morning's festivities commenced with the ladies dancing first followed by the men. Both sets of Morris teams danced the “Cotswold Style” of Morris dancing.

[@FJMLAM]

There is still a place for this in this World- Thank Goodness! Mist enhanced the atmosphere. Well done all.

[@sethantwi4040]

Splendid display ✌️✌️✌️🦵🦵🦵🕴️🕴️🕺🕺🕺

[@MusicLover-wh3eu]

What a great performance! 😍🎵🎵🎵🎵

[@therealwingnut]

Great clip of us . Thanks for watching and making it a great occasion and thanks for recording it.

[@samrufflecoles]

Brilliant. I searched 'Morris Dancing May Day' as I can't get to Deptford and back during the work day today and I find a video straight from this morning.

[@tessa3554]

Why is this not taught in schools? I love it ❤️

[@margaretcoleman6025]

Lovely. Thanks from Australia.

[@Britclip]

Welcome!

[@MisterMcHaos]

Ah, yes - the ol' "Stick And Bucket Dance".

[@Shirlthegirl]

Love this! 🎵celebrate the May-o🎵 Anyone here remember the Albemarle Morris Men or the Court Square Dancers of Charlottesville (women’s Garland Dance team)? I remember “Dancing in the May-o on May 1st at sunrise.

[@Britclip]

Pleased you enjoyed it. Always a fun event, sadly the sun didn't make an appearance - Perhaps next year!

[@nicholaswestley9851]

Sussex splendor.

[@vasiliszaxaropoulos8726]

👍👍👍👍

[@alphalunamare]

Englsih Martial arts I thell them 🙂