Our history
50 Glorious Years of Somerset Morris
Somerset Morris celebrated their 50th anniversary in October 2024, with two members of the original side still
dancing/playing for the team. They formed in Bath in 1974 as the sister side to Bath City Women, the University team. Bath City Women were of course the first side of the
current women’s revival, formed in 1971 under the benign support of Tubby and Betty Reynolds. As a University side, the members
were
often not around during the summer season so Apley Morris was formed as a brother side to the Bath City Men and Somerset Maids Morris(as the team was then called) formed
for the women and girls of Bath and the surrounding area. Over the years many of the students, upon graduation, joined Somerset Maids, who took their membership from the
Bath, Bristol and Wells triangle. A year later the side was one of the founder members of what was then the Women's Morris Federation.
The original repertoire was based on Ilmington and Wheatley, with the later introduction of Friendly Society Stave Dances, which always create interest. We believe Somerset Morris
is the only side performing these with genuine nineteenth century brass stave heads. Other traditions performed over the years have included Stanton Harcourt,
Ducklington, Bessels Leigh, Kirtlington and Bampton, but with Ilmington and the Stave Dances being a constant feature. All this has been supported by musicians of any gender, and the
side are currently looking for musicians to help us continue into the future. The side has not only danced in the UK, but also in France, Germany and
the USA. We were three weeks away from a second tour of the US when Covid broke out and international travel was suspended. In the year 2000 the name of the side
was shortened to Somerset Morris and the kit changed, from the original brown, cream and orange milkmaid style to a clean modern line in burgundy, cream and gold for the new
Millenium.
To celebrate 50 years the side changed their cream handkerchiefs for gold, starting in January 2024 at the annual Wassail in Bishop Sutton.
Throughout the year there have been so many positive comments from both the public and other dancers that the gold hankies are likely to become a permanent feature. A birthday ‘Day of Dance’ was held in
August, with other sides of the local villages, finishing in Kilmersdon. which is one of the places the side danced on their very first tour and
where there is evidence that the stave dances were once performed. 
A grand reunion lunch was held in October, with 30 former members attending. Of course there was
dancing after the meal, which provided the Quote of the Day from a former member: “I had forgotten how much fun this is!” Some years ago, The Morris
Federation asked teams to describe themselves using three words. Somerset Morris said “Friendly”, “Fun” and “Cake”. There are nineteen members in the
current side, so it is obviously a formula that works.
Here are links to the websites of related organisations
We are members of the Morris Federation and their website can be found at
www.morrisfed.org.uk
This article was originally published in the Autumn / Winter 2024 / 2025 edition of FedExtra digital magazine produced by the Morris Federation
You can find our Facebook pages here:
often not around during the summer season so Apley Morris was formed as a brother side to the Bath City Men and Somerset Maids Morris(as the team was then called) formed
for the women and girls of Bath and the surrounding area. Over the years many of the students, upon graduation, joined Somerset Maids, who took their membership from the
Bath, Bristol and Wells triangle. A year later the side was one of the founder members of what was then the Women's Morris Federation.
The original repertoire was based on Ilmington and Wheatley, with the later introduction of Friendly Society Stave Dances, which always create interest. We believe Somerset Morris
is the only side performing these with genuine nineteenth century brass stave heads. Other traditions performed over the years have included Stanton Harcourt,
Ducklington, Bessels Leigh, Kirtlington and Bampton, but with Ilmington and the Stave Dances being a constant feature. All this has been supported by musicians of any gender, and the
side are currently looking for musicians to help us continue into the future. The side has not only danced in the UK, but also in France, Germany and
the USA. We were three weeks away from a second tour of the US when Covid broke out and international travel was suspended. In the year 2000 the name of the side
was shortened to Somerset Morris and the kit changed, from the original brown, cream and orange milkmaid style to a clean modern line in burgundy, cream and gold for the new
Millenium.
To celebrate 50 years the side changed their cream handkerchiefs for gold, starting in January 2024 at the annual Wassail in Bishop Sutton.
Throughout the year there have been so many positive comments from both the public and other dancers that the gold hankies are likely to become a permanent feature. A birthday ‘Day of Dance’ was held in
August, with other sides of the local villages, finishing in Kilmersdon. which is one of the places the side danced on their very first tour and
where there is evidence that the stave dances were once performed. A grand reunion lunch was held in October, with 30 former members attending. Of course there was
dancing after the meal, which provided the Quote of the Day from a former member: “I had forgotten how much fun this is!” Some years ago, The Morris
Federation asked teams to describe themselves using three words. Somerset Morris said “Friendly”, “Fun” and “Cake”. There are nineteen members in the
current side, so it is obviously a formula that works.
Here are links to the websites of related organisations
We are members of the Morris Federation and their website can be found at www.morrisfed.org.uk
This article was originally published in the Autumn / Winter 2024 / 2025 edition of FedExtra digital magazine produced by the Morris Federation
You can find our Facebook pages here:
