The Isca Morrismen, 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.

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

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2008 Tours - Wednesday 28th May
Joint Pub Tour with Forest of Dean Morrismen

The Forest of Dean Morrismen dancing out on one of their tours Isca Morrismen dancing at the Tredegar House Festival

This week we took our passports in hand and crossed over into England to enter the ancient Forest of Dean where we were delighted to be joining our friends the Forest of Dean Morrismen on one of their evening tours. We travelled to the small and historic village of St. Briavels which lies on the banks of the Wye about 6 miles north of Chepstow.

Like quite a few of the places in the Forest, the village has an odd and ancient custom, this one involving the throwing of bread and cheese from the pound wall on Whitsunday evening. This ensures the continuation of rights originally given by King John for parishioners of the village to cut wood from nearby Hudnalls Wood.

Isca Morrismen dancing at the Tredegar House Festival The dancers during a display at The Gladiator last May Day

8.15 p.m. The Crown Inn, Pystol Lane, St. Briavels

The village of St. Briavels sits on the edge of a limestone plateau 800 feet above the Wye Valley with spectacular views and includes the remains of a 12th century castle which was the administrative centre for the Royal Hunting Forest. The founder of the castle was Milo Fitz Walter, the Earl of Hereford, who in the reign of Henry VIII attempted to control the regular incursions of the Welsh. Let's hope the natives are a little friendlier to the Welsh these days at the Crown Inn, although perhaps we weren't so wise starting off in Pystol Lane.

The George Inn, East Street, St. Briavels Dancing at the recent Tredegar House Festival

9.00 p.m. The George Inn, East Street, St. Briavels

We now travelled around the corner, and slightly nearer to the castle, into East Street to visit The George Inn, a large pub with up to 5 real ales on tap, a fine restaurant and even accommodation. To liven up the conversation, it even has an ancient tomb set in one of the inside walls which has been dated to around 800 A.D., so at last we had a captive audience this evening!

The Isca Morrismen relaxing at the Tredegar House Festival The Isca Morrismen dancing at the recent Tredegar House Festival

Do come and see us at some stage and if you have a liking for tradition then you will be made very welcome. For those males amongst you who enjoy a pint or two and would like to keep fit then you will be ideal as a dancer.

Isca Morrismen dancing recently at the Spring Fair in Magor

If you are a musician of either sex who enjoys folk music, then again you will be well received, so whatever instrument you play, provided that it is portable, come and join us and learn our music. Come along and we'll ensure that you enjoy yourself and hopefully come back for more as we tour our area over the summer months.

If you require any more information then please check our Contact and Feedback page for our current officers telephone numbers or email us at our address: Enquiries 'at' Isca-Morrismen.com. We are a lively bunch and travel a fair bit with our activities, both in the UK and Overseas, so come on - contact us today and join in the fun, you'll not regret it!

Click here to visit the website of the Otley Brewing Company

Click here to visit the website of Tomos Watkin Welsh Ales

Click here to visit the website of The Mount Pleasant

This year we are delighted that our traditional dancing programme is being sponsored by local Welsh Breweries, producers of excellent real ale to whom we are grateful for their wholehearted support.

Please enjoy their real ales and visit their websites to learn more by clicking on the pictures.

We also acknowledge the support and encouragement of The Mount Pleasant in Old Cwmbran, our after-practice venue during the winter.