Wells to welcome Morris masters

The clonk of wood on wood will be echoing around Wells when the Mendip Morris Men pay a visit.

The Morris dancers will be performing their traditional dances of the Cotswolds in Wells Market Square at 8pm on Thursday, July 15.

Afterwards, the group moves on to the George Inn, Croscombe, to entertain again, from 9pm.

Founded in 1956, the Mendip Morris Men can be identified by their red, gold and blue baldrics, or crossed sashes, that are adorned with King Alfred’s jewel at the back and the Somerset wyvern at the front.

Completing the outfits are black breeches and brightly-decorated straw hats.

The dancers are sometimes accompanied on their outings by two other traditional Morris characters.

Len Bendall, the group’s Fool, wears a battered straw hat, a smock and odd coloured socks, and he is joined by a manic spotted horse called, wait for it… Horse, who is very friendly and especially likes children.

Either could make an appearance at Wells or Croscombe…!

As well as the performances on Thursday, the Mendip Morris Men will be back in the Wells area on Thursday, August 5, when they will be dancing at the Queen Victoria and the Hunter’s Lodge, both in Priddy, at 8pm and 9pm respectively.

Over the coming months they will also be dancing in Axbridge, Chapel Allerton and Cheddar.