The Wight Bells

A Morris Poem

Morrison is not just a local friendly grocers's shop
It's the shout of the Men of Wight Morris as they start to hop.
Leather straps, silver buckles and bells a jingling
With hankies flopping, they set many a Wight maid's heart a tingling.

The Wight Bells ladies promenade two by two
In lime green stockings and dresses of blue.
In rows of three they advance in steps of four
Holding sticks in the right hand, they reverse to the start once more.

Spinning and twirling pom poms of white
Cracking hazel sticks to the left and the right.
A full reel of three across and around
They repeat the do-si-do, garland up, garlands down.

Repetitive sixteen bar tunes accompany the ladies' fun
Melodeon,drum, accordion,fiddle and bodrun.
Ruffled shirts, waistcoats,breeches, stockings and a bowler hat
Visitors hold up their phones to take pictures of the musicians dressed like that.

Everyone smiles when they're stamping and dancing in clogs and a pretty dress.
Twirling and burling - it's healthy exercise and gets rid of stress.
Dancers claim it's the most fun you can have with your clothes on.
So join in when you hear the shout - "MORRIS ON".

A great observation from Mark Mordey.
And for more local poetry why not visit hightide poets.

Happy 10th Birthday Wightbells !

A big thankyou to all the Wightbells both past and present and all our friends and guests who made our party so enjoyable. A special thanks to our squire who has led us into our 10th year and the members and friends who decorated the room, baked cakes and entertained us with music. The Wightbells gave a demonstration of the first dance that they performed 10 years ago in Bembridge (Steyne Cross danced to the tune Jumping Joan) and the latest dance that is new for the 2009 season (Freshwater danced to the Pearl Wedding). The team put great energy into the dance, or is it that the music is still to fast? The evidence is in the the gallery...

A damp start to Swanage Folk Festival!

The sky was grey as we drove towards Swanage for the start of the annual Folk Festival. The forecast was not good but with fingers crossed we settled in and enjoyed the Friday night concerts and sessions in the pubs. Saturday proved to be damp and windy but we managed to avoid the worst of the weather and were still able to dance at all our spots. The weather improved throughout the day and the procession was a great success. Sunday was much brighter especially for the church service ( someone must have had a word! ). The afternoon spots were well supported and the dedicated musicians managed to play on into the evening. If Carlsberg did Folk Festivals then they would probably pick Swanage ( but not if they saw the number or empty real ale barrels at the back of the The Red Lion.

A Weekend with the Treacle Eaters!

Treacle Eater Clog invited us to join them and help to celebrate their 25th anniversary and what a great weekend it was. Four coach loads of dancers set out from Yeovil across the Somerset countryside and stopped to dance at towns and villages on their way to the south coast. The evenings were spent dancing, singing, playing music and socializing.

Cheque it out!

When a member of our side said that The Earl Mountbatten Hospice had arranged for the World's Biggest Bike to come to the Island, and that we should take part, we were all sold on the idea not knowing what we had let ourselves in for. As time went bye we learnt more about the other teams including cycling professionals and burly firemen and we started to wonder if we had done the right thing. The day arrived and we gathered at Sandown seafront, around this monster of a bike wondering if dresses were in fact the best decision of the day. We set off in good spirit with the musicians in full flow, along the parade and up the High Street. As the hill got steeper the music gradually subsided as more effort went into propelling the two ton monster up the hill. As we approached Pier Street our energy was channelled into reaching the top of the hill but suddenly, with a mixture of exhilaration, trepidation, and sheer excitement we lurched into a knuckle biting turn down to the Esplanade. I'm not sure if the next stop was planned or if everyone needed a rest but an impromptu dance session on the seafront was appreciated by the public and helped to fill the collecting boxes. A concerted effort saw us back on the parade, music again in full swing as we headed home. Our Sponsorship alone raised over £700 and we are proud to have taken part in this prestigious event. We have some pictures of the bike ride here in our archive and you can also find some in the Island Pulse magazine.

What a Day of Dance!

A big thank you to everyone who joined us for our Day of Dance and made it such a success, especially Treacle Eater Clog, Island Cloggies, Wickham Morris, Devils Jump Clog, Sarum Morris, Fleet Morris, Bourne River Morris. and The Oyster Girls. Did you miss it? It's near to the end of the dancing season so why not contact your local side and get involved with a practice season ready for next year!

Wight Bells Morris Dancers– Up’T North Tour 2007

“Cleckheaton – where’s that?” a few were heard to say. It was found to be almost 250 miles ‘up country’ slightly south of Leeds and Bradford with it’s own Folk Festival in it’s 20th year! Can’t be bad, so we booked to go to take a little Isle of Wight sunshine to a rather wet area of the country, the first weekend in July.

The dance festival commenced on the Saturday with a procession of dance sides through the town to the Town Hall to announce our arrival. Our first spot was on the green opposite the Town Hall where we performed to a large crowd of locals along with Sgt. Musgrave’s Dance who dance the North West tradition, as we do, and Kirkburton Rapier; before moving off to dance at other venues.

In the afternoon the Wickham Arms Hotel hosted the dance competition for the prestigious ‘Wickham Dance Cup’ and the Wight Bells decided to promote our seaside and danced Newchurch, a square dance for eight, swapping our bell sticks for a stick of rock in one hand and a bucket and spade in the other, while the musician were seen to dispense with their socks and shoes, roll their trousers up and put a green knotted handkerchief on the heads! I think most of the audience got the plot and we duly beat off the other dance sides to win the ‘Wickham Dance Cup’. Sunday was ‘Family Fun Day’ and we invited some of the audience, children and adults, to join us in a stick dance when we finished our display. This always goes down well.

There was a mixture of very good local and national folk music and song going on around the town during the weekend including the Demon Barber Road Show, Vin Garbutt and Cherish the Ladies to name but a few.

We had a little rain, were very well received, the hospitality was great and the natives friendly and we were able to promote the Island to boot and had an enjoyable time! Do we go back next year to defend the Wickham Dance Cup – we shall see.

Wight Bells are officially a ''Tourist Attraction''!

Well not really but we have got an article in the Isle of Wight Tourist Guide. The article features some pictures of the Wight Bells and of course the site has a vast amout of Island information of interest to Caulkheads and Visitors alike.

Saved by the Bells! What do you think?

Take a look at this article in the local County Press, by Chris Philipsborn, about Morris Dancing on the Isle of Wight.

Oh we do like to be beside the seaside.

Especially if its at Weymouth! After a busy day of dancing there is nothing better than cooling off in the sea. Take a look at some of the pictures in our new style gallery.

The 2007 Dance Season is in full swing.

The dance season has started early for us this year with The Fat Cat beer festival in March, St Georges Day and Bourne River Morris Day of Dance at Poole in April.. Regular Thusday night pub spots started last month (see the programme) after the traditional May Day celebrations at The Dairymans Dautghter at Arreton Old Village and Barns.

Folklores du Monde and the Tall Ships Race, at Saint Malo.

The Wight Bells, Oyster Girls, Men of Wight and Island Cloggies made a huge impression on the unsuspecting French when we demonstrated our dance and musical heritage in Saint Malo recently. The opportunity arose when we took part in 'Folklores du Monde' a celebration of folk traditions from around the world. This years festival coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Tall Ships race and so we also danced around the old town and took part in the grand parade of over 2500 crew from the ships. According to the local papers 'Les troupes folkloriques ont apporte de la couleur et de la rigueur au defile.' which I guess is a good thing. I suppose we will find out if we are asked back next year! A special thanks to Janet and Emile for looking after us and for your hospitality.

Our first trip abroad for 2006 to Weymouth (on the big Island).

We joined O.B.J. Border Morris, Alvechurch Morris, Dr Turbeville, Frome Valley, Festus Derriman, The Wild Hunt Bedlum Morris and Beetlecrusher for a great day out in Weymouth. We didn't manage to dance with all the sides but those we did you will find some pictures in the gallery

Finding folk events on the Island.

As well as the list of events for The Wight Bells our website now has links to the programmes for The Men of Wight, The Oyster Girls and Mr Baker's Dozen. Now there's no excuse not to enjoy yourself whilst supporting these local groups and there chosen charities (you may even get to join in!).

Of course if it's folk music that your after you can always bring an instrument or your voice to The Dairyman's Daughter, at Arreton every Tuesday evening from about 9pm or from midday onwards at The Portland in Gurnard on the last Sunday of the month.

If your thinking of holding your own Barn Dance or Ceilidh then get in touch with The Caulkheads and arrange a truly amazing evening.

Where would you find Morris Folk on 1st May?

Those that were hardy enough and early rising climbed Mottistone Down before dawn and gathered together at the "Long Stone" to witness the sunrise. Celebrations ensued for the coming of spring and the lengthening of the day as the year began it's renewal. At noon, those with energy left, repaired to The Dairyman's Daughter at Arreton where there was seen much dancing, singing and taking of ale. Although most folk had a stick in one hand and a tankard in the other, we did manage to take a few pictures which can be found in the gallery!

We're looking forward to using this website to show pictures of recent events and to keep everyone up to speed with the activities that we have planned for the next year. We'll be adding more sections to the site over the next few weeks, including updates to our summer programme for 2005, so please check back soon. If you have any ideas or comments about the site then please let us know by using the form on the contacts page.