BRACKLEY Morris Men are preparing for a busy festive period after holding a taster session in the centre of Buckingham this month.
On Saturday, November 10, the Morris Men held a recuitment session in Cornwalls Meadow.
On Sunday, December 16 they are set to perform a Mumming Play and ‘wassail’ the orchard at the Elizabethan manor house Canons Ashby.
Brackley Morris Man Stephen Ferneyhough said a mumming play is essentially street theatre and they will be telling the tale of St George vanquishing a Turkish knight, before defeating the dragon.
Door to door carol singing can be regarded as wassailling, but during the visit to Canons Ashby the Morris Men will carry out the tradition of performing in the orchard to promote a good harvest in the coming year.
Then on Wednesday, December 26, the side will carry out its annual Boxing Day Tour, visiting Croughton, Brackley Piazza, Greatworth, and Whitfield. On Saturday, December 29, they will also perform at the ceilidh in Northampton.
Mr Ferneyhough said Morris Dancing was uniquely English and is an essential part of the build up to Christmas and added: “Morris Dancing has always been done traditionally as part of the festive celebrations, especially at Christmas. It’s uniquely English and Brackley is certainly the last surviving truly traditional side in Northamptonshire.”
There is evidence for a Morris side in Brackley dating back 400 years ago. Visit {http://www.thebrackleymorrismen.org.uk| www.thebrackleymorrismen.org.uk}