Dartington Morris staged two events over the festive season with the first on the Plains at Totnes on Boxing Day and the second at the Hope and Anchor at Hope Cove on New Year’s Day.

The side was formed in 1968 as a men’s Morris dancing side. Last year they decided to lift the gender restriction and to welcome dancers of any gender. The musicians have been made up from both men and women since the early days.

They perform Cotswold Morris dances, North Skelton Longsword team and occasionally Isle of Man Scallop Dances.

The Boxing Day event featured seven dancers who performed a dance display and the Mammas Play.

Organiser Ken Morris said: “Our Charity Fund Raising outings were well received by audiences. The wearing of face masks became a matter of personal choice, but with both events outside, health issues were, hopefully, considered to be less of a hazard!  The weather proved kind on both occasions, and Dartington Morris were delighted to be able to continue this festive tradition, and provide some enjoyment and entertainment, in what has been another difficult and frustrating year for us all”

At the Hope and Cove I persuaded John Skirton to come, and he joined the musicians, which numbered five, with the bonus of Sally Parsons and Nigel Parsons adding to the support.

Brian Marks brought Brian Stone and appeared in full kit, and brought our numbers up to seven assisting again, with others, with the collection.  We drew a reasonable crowd from a standing start at 1pm and when the Mummers performed, Terry Underhill made a guest appearance as Father Christmas, Dan Shearer and looked great in hospital ‘scrubs’, with his mixture of a ‘Plymouth and Dartington’ type script for his Doctor, and John Skirton donned the smock and played his old part of Little Johnny Jack.”

Practices begin again at Dartington Primary School on Friday January 7 at 8pm.