A Wiltshire village’s streets came to life on a sleeping Boxing Day to the sound of bells and a dancing troupe.
The Holt Morris Men took to the streets of the village in south of the county as part of their annual tradition of Boxing Day dancing.
The Holt side was joined by another Morris troupe, the Bells Angels. The group kicked off the festivities at around 10am, before moving onto The Superstore, and then onto Ham Green from around midday.
Jonathan Nibbs, of the Holt Morris dancing group, said: “We are a Cotswold Morris side from Holt, Wiltshire (near to Bath, Trowbridge, Chippenham, Bradford-on-Avon and Melksham).
“We started dancing in 1989. We perform a broad mix of Cotswold Morris styles, though many of our dances are based on a liberal interpretation of the Fieldtown Morris tradition. We have also borrowed generously from other Cotswold Morris sides.
“Holt Morris are always looking to recruit new members, dancers and musicians from the surrounding area. We were formed as a Men’s side but now attracting female members.”
Morris dancing is a folk tradition whose English roots date back to the 15th century. Dancers wear distinctive uniforms decked with bells and perform choreographed rhythmic stepping.
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