The Morris is a very old English tradition, mentioned by Shakespeare but going back much further. We know there have been Morrismen in Leicester since at least 1599 because they are mentioned in court records! The present Leicester Morrismen version started in 1953, so for nearly 70 years we have proudly carried on the tradition and dancing and playing skills have been passed down from old hands to newcomers. The covid pandemic stopped us performing live in 2020 but we’ve managed to mark May Day this year and started to dance out.

 

Our normal evening out is Wednesday.  Here’s the link to find out where we’ll be throughout the summer. 

 

We were doing our traditional thing of welcoming in the summer, which was in olden times always done on 1st May, so why change it. Leicester Morrismen have been dancing up at Old John in Bradgate Park, Leicestershire, for about forty years now apart from the covid and foot and mouth years. We also try to do a lot for charity.   On 1 May we raised over £300 for LOROS as well as bringing a smile to lots of people’s faces.

 

Please see the pictures below with a brief description.

 

All Lmm = All Of us toasting in the summer with Leatherbritches Bounder!

Beer All Gone = my disappointment at seeing all the beer gone.

Old John = Leicester Morrismen dancing at Old John at 7 a.m. on May 1

Oswald = Oswald is our mascot – his birthday is 1 May. Unfortunately he had too much ale celebrating. Just look at the state of him

Tankards = We all have our own tankards. These are full of Bounder. Delicious!!

Watching = Dick and Ian watching the dancing but never too far away from the beer!