Open Morris Member Sides

Fleet Folkloric Forum was established by visual artist, musician and folklorist Chris Lewis-Jones, theatre designer and drama practitioner Ian Pringle and arborealist Alex Begg. We explore traditional and local folkloric practices, such as well blessing, wassailing, bound beating and dancing in the May. However, we also design new rituals and practices, such as the May Mares and Channel Swimming (‘channels’ are what we around here call what people in other parts of the country might call ginnels, twitchles or alleys). The May mares ride hobby horses and interact with the public in a number of (humorous) ways. The mares reference Belper’s smithing legacy and the its association with the highwaymen Black Harry and Dick Turpin. Although we are not primarily a dance side, we are working with chorographer Emma Lewis-Jones to design May Mares dances, using elements of north west Morris and circle dance.