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Uplyme Morris Men
A Brief History of the Uplyme Morris
The earliest reference to the public
performance of Morris dancing in England is from 1458, but the
earliest reference to the public performance of Morris
dancing in Uplyme is 8:30pm on June 1st, 1991.
Unsubstantiated reports suggest that practise had taken
place as early as March 1989, but there was little evidence
in that first performance to contradict the theory that the
moves had been thought up in the bar ten
minutes earlier.
(Apart that is, from the improbability
of finding six men all in the same place at the same time,
with clean, white, handkerchiefs)
5 years later, having appeared in
promotional videos and on national BBC Radio 4, the side had
become a familiar sight throughout the counties of Devon,
Dorset and Somerset, where it was in great demand for a
myriad of events from weddings to village fetes. Profits
from collections outside pubs went to the Lifeboat.
In
addition to the range of performances throughout
 the season,
the side performed at dawn on Mayday at Lambert’s Castle, (always followed by a hearty breakfast provided by a member
of the side) and at sun-up on the morning of the midwinter solstice
at the Cobb in Lyme.
Other social events included the very popular mid-summer
barbecue and the infamous 'Uplyme Morris World Tour of
Exmoor'.
Mentioned in the 'Book of Uplyme', complete with two
pictures, the side was always in great demand, but folded in
1996 due to a shortage of dancers.
The Great Revival of 2007
In 2007, the renowned folk accordianist and singer Jeremy
Hayes recognised that there might be support for a revival
as a men-only side and a meeting was held at the Talbot on
12.1.07 to discuss the possibilities.
 Following
the meeting, a recruitment drive resulted in the revival of
the side. After only a few weeks practise, they were booked
as the finale for the Talbot Arms Beer Festival in July
2007.
Anyone interested in joining the side as a dancer or
musician should contact Jerry by
email, or by phone
01297-446011 or mobile 07968-959298. The
Morris revival is the subject of a
debate on the Uplyme Forums.
Website: http://www.uplymemorris.co.uk
Also, see us on YouTube here
and Clubbz here
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