Dancing in the Dark: Winchester Morris Men celebrate 60th anniversary (From Romsey Advertiser)

Dancing in the Dark: Winchester Morris Men celebrate 60th anniversary

10:44am Saturday 16th March 2013 in Winchester By Joseph Curtis

WELL it wasn't snowing when Winchester Morris Men celebrated their 60th anniversary last week.

But it was surreal enough. The white-dressed dancers twisting and twirling in the dark on a freezing cold night under the orange glare of the streetlights.

John Holder, of Colebrook Place, said: “I and a friend Frank Goh were having a very quiet drink in the tiny Eclipse pub on this freezing late winter night when to our great surprise the pub filled with the Morris men and supporters with hardly a one winter coat between them, dressed as if for a perfect summer's day!

“I didn't have my camera with me but knew this was a very special event, not to be missed, so I ran all the way to my home and back again to be able to get some photographs.

“It was incredible to watch the side performing impromptu outside the pub even though it was so freezing."

The Winchester Morris Men were celebrating the 60th anniversary of the formation of their side in 1953.

Matthew Wright, recruitment officer, said a great time was had by all despite the cold weather.

He said: “We danced Jockey to the Fair, which was the first dance the side did in public 60 years ago, and Bonnet so Blue, and I think our fingers were blue by the end because it was so cold.

“I felt sorry for our musicians as at least the dancers could keep warm by moving about. But afterwards we all went in and had a great dinner with some old friends.”