THE 45th annual Family Morris weekend stamped, hopped and jingled it’s way through the Forest and Wye Valley.

Ten sides took part from all over England and Wales. Ian Riddell is from Forest of Dean Morris Men (FDMM) who organised the event.

He told the Review: “As well as us, Wimberry Clog took part from the Forest of Dean and Full Moon from south Wales. In addition groups travelled from all over England and Wales and gathered at Soudley on Friday evening. We camped in the field behind the village hall and used their facilities while we were there.

“Saturday morning began with a mass dance at Coleford Clock Tower at 10am. The sides then split into three separate tours. The first went through the heart of the Forest around Moseley Green, Whitecroft, Cinderford, Broadoak and Longhope.

“The second group toured the Wye Valley from Chepstow to Tintern, Llandogo and Penallt. The final group began in Monmouth and headed into Herefordshire around Garway, Hoarwithy and Peterstow.”

Every Wednesday, spring to autumn, FDMM perform at various pubs and other venues in the Forest.

Ian said: “We dance in the Cotswold tradition. In the 1800s there were about 19 different Morris sides in the Forest. Towards the end of the century there was, reputedly, a fight on Plump Hill between the Ruardean and Mitcheldean sides in which one of the participants died. Following this Morris dancing started to die out.

“In the late 1960s a side was started by Dave Blick and this is the FDMM that we have today. A number of the original Forest dances were rediscovered and these now form part of our repertoire.”

If you would like to find out more or join the side, contact Ian on 01594 826000 or visit www.forestmorris.org.uk.