Isca Morrismen May Day 2005 Performances

Welcome to the Isca Morrismen Website - Home of the Traditional Morris Dancers from South Wales performing Welsh Border and Cotswold Morris dances together with local Mumming Plays, Wassailing ceremonies and the Mari Lwyd custom

Traditionally we always begin our dancing season on May Morning at around 5.15 a.m. in Caerleon Ampitheatre, continuing until around 6.40 a.m. by which time the sun has hopefully risen (it did this year again!!). The early morning spot is always followed by breakfast and then by a full tour, either on that day where May 1st falls on a Saturday, Sunday or Monday; or on the following May Day Bank Holiday in other cases.

Our traditional activities sometimes attract the interest of the press and over the years we have been very popular with a variety of published articles and photographs. This year we were delighted to welcome Sweyns Ey who joined us at around 5.15 a.m. outside Caerleon Amphitheatre:

The early arrivals in the semi dark Isca moving into the Ampitheatre

. . . and gradually everyone started to slowly make their way down into the Ampitheatre

and our guests start to arrive in the Ampitheatre Let's just check the running order before we begin

well we'll just check the running order and then get the dancing underway . . .

well I think that we're all here now Isca appropriately performing the Caerleon Wheel

. . . and now I think it's time for a dance from Sweyns Ey

The early arrivals in the semi dark

By now the dancing is well underway, and all too soon the sun is up and . . .

The early arrivals in the semi dark

. . . it's time for our final dance once around the perimeter of the Ampitheatre before all-in to finish

The early arrivals in the semi dark

After a longish spot of around 80 minutes, it's off to a well earned breakfast at our practice pub, The Gladiator . . .

Getting stuck in to a hearty breakfast Well let's make short work of this fine feast

. . . and what a very friendly welcome we got with an excellent hearty breakfast awaiting us

We've almost finished I'm not sure I've yet got the energy to dance after that fine spread

Come on then you lot, it's time to work off some of that food . . .

We've almost finished I'm not sure I've yet got the energy to dance after that fine spread

. . . and out comes the sun again, so let's do a few more dances

Some of our massed musicians higher on those capers!

A lively Sherrifs Ride

Unfortunately we've a shower of rain, so let's move indoors to the Function Room and continue with the dancing . . .

Musicians roll This is getting very energetic

We've almost got the tune! A two man jig

Well nourished and raring for more action, it's off to the Cathedral in Newport where we'll have a slightly damp spot

An appropriate temperance memorial! with the cathedral clergy waiting, it's time for the dancing to start

and it's still wet . . .so let's take a quick break to shelter

Come on then, it's drying up so let's see if we can brighten up the day . . .

An appropriate temperance memorial! with the cathedral clergy waiting, it's time for the dancing to start

and it's still wet . . .so let's take a quick break to shelter