The Best of North West from West Yorkshire
The First Thirty Years 1980-2011

HEADLINES Last Update 20^thJanuary 2012
Boxing Day 2011 and the Kings Arms on Heath Common once again saw the traditional appearance of Wakefield Morris. A really cracking day with clear blue skies and bright sunshine. In the thirty years that the team have danced out on Boxing Day the format has changed from a tour of the district (always including the Kings as the one fixed spot!) to the now single appearance at the Kings. The Kings has changed licencees at least three times, the current operators being the Ossett Brewing Company and what safer hands could it be in. The weather has always been changeable with just about every variation that the British weather can produce but the team has always turned out for the very special day. The unchanging element is the atmosphere and character of the Kings, and long may it stay so.
This year the weather was kind to both the team and the dancers. Some of the dancers can probably claim to have been at almost every Boxing day since the first one back in the last century! Many of the crowd are just as familiar since they also make the trip every year to enjoy the display. The musicians session in the front parlour has now become as much a part of the day as the dancing. Good to see so many old faces wether dancers, folkies or spectators.
The team will be back in the Methodist Hall Horbury on the 9th of January and as ever will be more than happy to welcome any new faces to their practice nights. So why not make that New Year resolution "This is the year I will find out what Morris dancing is all about!". Good fun, rewarding, sociable and yes it does give you a good aerobic work out as well. Cheaper than gym membership and better value than a book token - why not give it a try this year?

For more information on the Morris dancers world, to find a team near you or to simply explore the delights of the tradition why not try the Morris Federation web page.