"Nemo enim fere saltat sobrius, nisi forte insanit"
Tarka Morris Men are based in Bideford, North Devon, a small working port on the river Torridge and the birthplace of Charles Kingsley, author of 'The Water Babies' and 'Westward Ho!' We 'dance out' in Bideford and the surrounding area during the summer months and also on Boxing Day and St. George's Day.
The side was founded in September 1991 by John Blackburn and other former members of nearby Barnstaple Morris which had disbanded in the late 1980's. The side takes its name (and its logo) from the novel 'Tarka the Otter' by Henry Williamson, another local author. Nobody knows where the Morris came from, but it's almost certainly an ancient tradition, probably connected with pagan rituals celebrating the arrival of summer. It's fun is the Morris and it has great music. And sometimes there really is free beer..... .
Tarka Morris Men have their own dance style, which is based on the Cotswold tradition. We dance the Morris because we enjoy it, and because we are preserving an ancient and important part of our heritage. And if that's not enough, we also do Mummers' Plays.
We've always room for; new members, dancers or musicians or both.
Ring our Foreman Martin Boyle or our Bagman Daemon Billing for more information.
They're on 01237 423716 and 01237 478300 respectively.
See our website at www.tarkamorrismen.org.uk for dance programme and everything else