As always, Winster Morris Dancers have enjoyed a busy dance schedule in 2024, with Wakes Saturday Carnival on 6th July as the highlight. The visit of French dancing friends La Valcissienne (from Onzain in the Loire valley) for 4 days in early May was another high point and the reception they received at Winster's Bowling Green pub was amazing.
January started with a taster session for potential new members or anyone who just fancied trying some dancing. All good fun, but it brought three new members, giving a great boost to the team's dancing this season. Another free session like this is on offer on
There are normal team practices on 22nd and 29th October, 12th, 19th, and 26th November, then on 3rd December. All of these offer further (free) chances for anyone who'd like to try some more. You get to keep fit, find friendship, have a great time socially, and do some wider travel including to Europe. If you are thinking about joining as a musician you will be very welcome. It's one of the best bands of folk musicians of any Morris team in the UK. Since becoming a mixed side in 2016 it has been clear that this sort of dance appeals to couples, and several have joined the team as musicians as well as dancers.
Performances, or ‘dancing out’, happen mostly between May and September. In the main that's around Derbyshire, but there can be invitations further afield to dance at folk festivals, shows and so on. There are link ups with other teams across the country and with folk dancing groups in France, Germany and Italy as well. Coincidentally all three of those are in areas that produce some excellent wines!
We are already planning our programme for next year, which will include a visit to Ungstein in the Pfalz region of Germany, where our hosts will be the Trachten Gruppe Ungstein.
If you are interested please contact Richard Powley on 01629 6369943, Bev Atkins on 01629 650086, Richard Bryant on 01629 55594 or any other member of the team that you know. Taster and practice sessions last about half an hour and are at the Burton Institute, West Bank, Winster DE4 2DQ on Tuesday evenings at 8 o'clock.
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