Helier Morris Men
www.heliermorris.co.uk/contact@heliermorris.co.ukAbout
The Helier Morris Men, Britain’s most southerly Morris dancing side. The team has performed dances from the Cotswold tradition, Morris from the Welsh borders, the odd longsword dance and an occasional Mummers Play – as well as spontaneous music and song wherever and whenever!
Helier have provided entertainment for visitors and locals alike since 1975, with a programme of Monday night and weekend dance spots from the beginning of May to the end of September. Along the way there are also a day of dance on May Day; an Ale with invited guests from the UK; trips to the UK and the continent; wassailing at the New Year and numerous appearances at local fetes and festivals.
To get in touch with the ultimate in all round entertainers - whether to book the side for an event, check programme details or make contact to have a go yourself, please e-mail - contact@heliermorris.co.uk
A MUCH ABBREVIATED HISTORY OF THE HELIER MORRIS MEN
The exact origins of the Helier Morris Men are, like the best of Morris traditions, ‘lost in the mists of time’, but it is accepted that the first public performances took place in 1975.
Emerging from the local folk club scene of the time, one Harry Kitchener – an expatriate dancer working in the Island - is generally credited with getting the first side up (or largely to blame, depending on your viewpoint!). For several years, his workplace provided the practice venue as well, until a little too much exposure in the local press made this known to his bosses, who were not quite so enthusiastic!
In those early years, a long standing friendship was formed with the Wessex Morris Men, leading to the first invitations to perform in the UK. Helier were soon holding their own Ale for visiting sides – now a regular Spring Bank Holiday feature in the side’s annual programme. For many years, the side was fortunate enough to receive funding from the local Tourism authority to assist with the travel costs of visiting teams. Alas, in common with the decline in much of the island’s tourist industry, this is no longer available.
Participating in the annual Jersey Folk Festival was another highlight from the early days – but this event too has succumbed to the passage of time.
Dancing at dawn on May Day was added into the programme for 1982, and is now a full 12 hour, 12 parish Morris marathon! An invigorating test to start the Morris dancing season, the side is now routinely joined in this extravaganza by local ladies side, the Jersey Lilies.
The early ‘80’s also saw Helier help spawn a county dance band – the Caesarean Ceilidh Band – still going strong to this day, and still boasting a good sprinkling of Helier men.
In 1990, Helier became fully-fledged members of the Morris Ring, dancing-in at that year’s Thaxted Ring Meeting.
In the mid ‘90’s a smattering of Welsh Border dances were added to the side’s repertoire, which became the seed for a regular wassailing event each January. This has recently become a day long tour of local orchards – come rain, shine, sleet or the occasional escapee sheep!
The Millennium was Helier’s Silver Jubilee – celebrated in style, with the biggest Morris Ale ever held in Jersey. No fewer than 5 visiting sides toured the island – a logistical exercise not attempted since.
2010 saw the inaugural Sark Folk Festival – compact and enjoyably spontaneous in the way of the old Jersey Folk Festival – where Helier shared dancing honours with Guernsey-based ladies side, the Belles and Broomsticks.Categories: Dancing Academies.
