Long Man Morris

 SOME HISTORY
The side was formed in Eastbourne in 1978, named after the Wilmington Giant, to dance 'Cotswold' Morris. We voted to become a mixed side in 2022.

Our music is provided by melodeon(s), fiddle(s) and occasional pipe & tabor.

We maintain the performance of the old, traditional village dances, as collected by Cecil Sharp, George Butterworth etc.,focusing on those of Bledington, Bampton, Lichfield, Upton-Upon-Severn, Bucknell and Adderbury. Believing the Morris to be an evolving form, we have, over the years, produced a body of dances which we call the Wilmington Tradition. This is a group of 30 plus dances, which has a cohesive and recogniseable style. Many are named after local places / landmarks: The Long Man, Windover Hill, Butts Brow, The Star (we regularly dance at three pubs with this name) Alfriston Square, Alfriston Tye etc

We have several regular performances throughout the year; Eastbourne Bandstand on Boxing Morning; May 1st, Dancing at dawn near the foot of the Long Man, ;a tour of windmills on the Sunday of Mills Weekend; The Old Ale at Harveys Brewery; running a Wassail in January. All money collected during dancing in the winter is given to the Lifeboat Service.

The side has made several forays abroad, including Klusserath in Germany, Orleans, and Prague

The rest of the season we enjoy dancing at pubs, meeting up with other local sides.