WILFRED Emmanuel-Jones, aka The Black Farmer, is well known for his love of Morris Dancing and none more so than his local troupe – Dartmoor Border Morris – who he continues to support this year and who will be visiting a number of South East Cornwall venues in the coming weeks.

A packed calendar of engagements – all raising money for the Dartmoor Search & Rescue Team – will give many people the opportunity to enjoy this traditional spectacle, and maybe even join in!

Says Wilfred: “The vibrant movement, costumes, music and colour, really captivates my senses. I just love the camaraderie, unity and flamboyance of the sport and its British tradition - and the way it unites a group of men and women for the simple enjoyment of dance and celebration of life.  

“I hope everyone can get out and enjoy some Morris dancing this summer!”

The Dartmoor Border Morris and friends will be dancing at the following venues:

19th May, 8pm          The White Thorn Inn, Shaugh Prior, with guests Beltane Border Morris.

25th May, 8pm          The Walkhampton Inn, with guests Wreckers Morris.

1st June, 8pm            The Tamar Inn, Calstock, with guests Catseye Morris.

11th June, All Day      Royal Cornwall Show, Wadebridge.

18th June, Afternoon  Meavy Oak Fair.

22nd June, 8pm    The White Hart Hotel, Menheniot, with guests Tywardreath Morris.

25th June, Afternoon       Tavistock Pride Festival, Meadowlands Park.

28th June, 8pm                 Seven Stars Inn, Tamerton Foliot, with guests

The Old Town Twelve.

15th July, 8pm                 The Church House Inn, Holne, with guests Dartington                                               Morris.

21st July, 8pm            Peter Tavy Inn, with guests Tinners Morris & Cog`s                                                 & Wheels Ladies Morris.

27th July, 8pm        The Pint & Post Inn, St Giles on the Heath, with                                                 guests Barrel Morris.

31st July, all day                Sidmouth Folk Festival, as guests with 100s of other                                               Morris sides.

11th August, 8pm            The Crumpled Horn Inn, Polperro, with guests Trigg                                                Morris.

16th August, 8pm            The Rugglestone Inn, Widecombe in the Moor with                                                 guests Black Bess Morris.

24th August, 8pm             The Cornwood Inn, with guests Harberton Navy.

31st August, 8pm        The Horse & Groom Inn, Bittaford, with guests Grimspound Border Morris.

1st September, 7.30pm       The Blacksmiths Arms, Lamerton with guests                                                     Lodestone Border Morris.

13th September, all day       Widecombe Fair

21st September, 7.30pm     Practice evening in Meavy Parish hall. Open to                                                    anyone who wants to dance or play a tune.

1st October, 2pm                  Bere Ferrers Apple Day Festival. 

19th November, 10am         Pudsey Day of Morris. Tavistock will have over 200                                                    Morris dancers perform collecting for the BBC                                                    Children in Need appeal. 

If you’re new to Morris Dancing, it’s a tradition that dates back as early as 1448.  Morris Dancing really is an art and has long been enjoyed by Englishmen and women.  Well known in England before the Spanish Armada, the Gunpowder Plot and even the Wars of the Roses, Morris Dancing boasts over 500 years of the evolution of a dance.