21.86°C A century of Morris dancing in Colchester will be celebrated this summer when more than 150 dancers and musicians take part in a special Day of Dance across the city centre.
Founded in 1926, Colchester Morris is marking its centenary year with a large-scale celebration on Saturday 27 June, bringing together Morris sides from across the country for a day of performances culminating in a massed show at the Bandstand in Castle Park.
The group, originally known as The Colchester Morris Men, was established in 1926 before being forced to disband during the Second World War. It was re-established in 1953 and has remained active ever since. Colchester Morris joined The Morris Ring in 1935 and, while originally a men-only side, is now a mixed group with an open membership policy.
To mark the occasion, the side has invited 11 other Morris groups to Colchester, including visitors from Cambridge, Chelmsford, Westminster, Suffolk, Yorkshire and Cumbria.
Throughout the day, dancers and musicians will perform at locations across the city centre, including the Mercury Theatre, Culver Square, St Nicholas Square, Firstsite and Colchester Castle.
The celebrations will conclude with a procession of more than 100 dancers and musicians from Hollytrees House to Castle Park, where a massed performance will take place at the Bandstand from 4pm.
Among the groups taking part are Chelmsford Morris, Cambridge Morris Men, Belchamp Morris, Thaxted Morris Men, East Suffolk Morris, Harthill Morris, AnnieMation, Rising Larks, Rumburgh Morris, Westminster Morris and Solway Morris.
Colchester Morris performs mainly in the Cotswold tradition and is accompanied by traditional instruments including accordion, concertina, fiddle, pipe and tabor, melodeon and whistle.
The side remains a familiar sight across north Essex during the summer months, regularly performing at pubs and village venues throughout the area. One of its longest-running traditions is its Boxing Day performance, which attracts large crowds each year.
The centenary celebration offers a chance not only to recognise the history of Morris dancing in Colchester, but also to see one of England’s oldest folk traditions performed by dancers and musicians from across the country.
The event is free to attend.
Day of Dance locations and times
Mercury Theatre
- 10am to 10.45am
- 11am to 11.45am
Culver Square
- 10am to 10.45am
- 11am to 11.45am
St Nicholas Square
- 12 noon to 12.45pm
- 1.45pm to 2.30pm
Firstsite
- 12 noon to 12.45pm
- 2.45pm to 3.30pm
Colchester Castle
- 1.45pm to 2.30pm
- 2.45pm to 3.30pm
Hollytrees House
- Procession starts at 3.55pm
Castle Park Bandstand
- Massed show from 4pm
