Icknield Way Morris Men, an Oxfordshire side from the Vale of White Horse, perform Cotswold Morris dances and are guardians of the Stanton Harcourt tradition

Who Are We?

Icknield Way Morris Men are a nationally known Morris dancing side that perform at festivals, weddings, parties and shows all over the country. We are mainly found dancing in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire, but are usually seen performing outside pubs in the Vale of White Horse.

Wantage Morris

The Morris has been danced in Wantage since at least 1565, where churchwardens accounts show that 16d was paid for 'a dasson morys belles' and, in 1590, 'lyveries' (costumes) were provided by John Eshmond for 4s 6d. The last reference to the Morris locally was in 1885 when it was danced by 'laddes of ye Royal Burgh of Wantage' before the sports began at Lockinge House.  Nothing is known concerning the side who danced, but the dance was referred to Cecil Sharp in 1910.  Unfortunately, there are no records of any Wantage variations of the Morris dance.

What We Dance

The Side performs traditional Morris dances from Oxfordshire villages. We also perform all dances recovered from the Stanton Harcourt tradition for which we are the guardians and sometimes dance out as Stanton Harcourt Morris. The village of Stanton Harcourt also had its own team of dancers active until the mid 19th century. The main Stanton Harcourt 'man of the morris' however, was John Potter (1813 - 1892) who played the pipe & tabor as well, as the fiddle, for the morris all over Oxfordshire. Indeed, his skill with the pipe was legendary that it was said "He could almost make un speak!".

Fortunately, we also have many musicians in The Side today and can provide all round entertainment for many occasions.

We are always pleased to welcome new members.

"They dance for joy. And joy represents the true spirit of England"
... quote from the Daily Mail, 3rd May 2005

Programme for 2025

Foot-Up Shop

Buy for 2024. Proceeds donated to Team Mikayla.

 

 

Lost Morris - Audio album from the English Folk Dance Project

- Audio album from English Folk Dance Project featuring Icknield Musicians

 

The Ancient English Morris Dance

by Michael Heaney

The idea that morris dancing captures the essence of ancient Englishness, inherently carefree and merry, has been present for over 400 years. The Ancient English Morris Dance traces the history of those attitudes.  Click image for more details. or Order Now!The Ancient English Morris Dance

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Renegade Brewery

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Icknield Way Morris Men
Icknield Way Morris MenThursday, June 19th, 2025 at 11:44pm
Lovely evening with The Gloucestershire Morris last night!

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Icknield Way Morris Men
Icknield Way Morris MenMonday, June 16th, 2025 at 5:05pm
Plans are coming along nicely for this year's White Horse Folk Festival Day of Dance - Saturday 16 August 2025. Here's a superb reminder from Howard of last year's trip up Dragon Hill.
Icknield Way Morris Men
2024 White Horse Folk Festival Dragon Hill
The White Horse Folk Festival dancing starts on Saturday morning on Dragon Hill (that is the flat-top hill just next to Uffington Castle). This video is a co...
Icknield Way Morris Men
Icknield Way Morris MenMonday, June 16th, 2025 at 4:48pm
Wednesday 18th June... see you there!
Icknield Way Morris Men
Icknield Way Morris Men
Icknield Way Morris MenSaturday, June 7th, 2025 at 1:11pm
Icknield Way Morris Men
Icknield Way Morris MenFriday, June 6th, 2025 at 12:20pm
Looking forward to this one!

Wantage Mummers ....

... have donated £2,500 in 2024 to

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