Morris Dancing -

Morris dancing and pubs go together like bread and cheese, both enjoyable on their own, but best together. Depending on your attitude, its either a bunch of silly sods dressing up and prancing around with handkerchiefs or its a centuries old, uniquely English ritual, which resonates from our pastoral ancestry. Whats for sure is that its fun to watch and the kids love it. The origins of Morris causes heated arguments amongst its participants. It dates from at least the 16th century and was performed in the Royal Court, when it seems to have had a top-down spread into the rural communities rather than the other way round. It smacks of all those kind of rituals to celebrate harvest and to encourage good spirits. There are stories of rivalry between sides and dance-offs to prove which side was best.