Making the most of the warm summer evening, this month the WI threw open the doors and took the meeting outside. We were treated to a fabulous high energy demonstration from the Bury St Edmunds Green Dragon Morris dancers who are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year. With bells and rags, sticks and accordions, drums and flutes – the troupe shared some of their favourite original dances with us accompanied by some toe tapping beats! Between songs we learnt about the history of the Morris, this groups specific style and the emergence of young teams featuring many talented young women.
The Green Dragons follow the Border style, first developed in the England / Wales border region, famous of its individual style, tattered jackets and painted faces (originating from the dancers needing to disguise their identity from their employers whilst dancing for money in pubs!).
After watching the professions, they drew members into a few dances – armed with sticks and bells we hopped, threw our sticks in the air, encircled each other and danced as the sun set. It was a fun evening, lots of laughing, thankfully no stick related accidents and lots and lots of photo opportunities!