Residents are invited to join the local group in their latest celebration of an English tradition, writes Liz Heron

Enfield’s Morris dancing side are performing tomorrow (Saturday 14th) near the school where they held their first public dance in 1975.

It was 50 years ago that Etcetera Morris Men gave their first ever public performance at Prince of Wales Primary School, off Ordnance Road in Enfield Lock.

And on Saturday, Enfield’s homegrown Morris dancing side will mark the anniversary with a dance performance at nearby Ordnance Unity Centre Library, which is also hosting an exhibition on the group’s long history of dancing across Enfield.

The founding members of Etcetera Morris Men trained twice a week for nine months with the leading Westminster Morris team at the former Enfield Teachers’ Centre before finally stepping out in their Morris kit at the school’s summer fete in June 1975.

Today’s side has mounted a whole year of dance events across Enfield and further afield for their 50th anniversary, to reflect the lengthy and rigorous training in the Cotswold style of Morris dancing through which they were founded.

Bagman Jeff Hopwood said: “It’s lovely to go back and dance near the place where our first public performance was held. We’ll be dancing outside the library and our performances and audience participation sessions usually draw quite a crowd. We’re hoping that local people will come along and join in.”

Saturday’s Day of Dance begins at 12.30pm at Ordnance Unity Centre Library in Enfield Lock, and continues with performances at 2pm in the Little Green Dragon, Winchmore Hill, and 4pm at The Wonder in Enfield Town.

For full details and dates of further dance events through the summer:
Visit etcmorrismen.org.uk/diary

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