Ripley Morris take their place in history
When former and founder member Syd Barber made a bequest to Ripley Morris in 2015, the side decided to embark on writing the history of Morris dancing in Ripley from the earliest existing records to the present day. In August 2021 after five years of painstaking research and writing ‘Ripley Morris, Derbyshire 1925 – 2021’ has been published.
Councillor Roland Emmas Williams presents the Ripley Morris History to Ashley Copeland as Alex Bowness looks on.
The book details the establishment of Morris dancing in Ripley during the 1920s and gives an account of the first Ripley Morris side up to the mid 1960s. Following this Ripley Morris Men were re-formed in 1981 and became Ripley Morris in 2018. The book records how this incarnation of Ripley Morris has been at the forefront of developments and activities in the Morris world since the 1980s.
On 23rd September Councilor Roland Emmas –Williams, Mayor of Ripley, presented a copy of the book to Ashley Copeland of Ripley Library as an addition to the Local Studies section.
Current Squire of the side Alex Bowness said he felt honoured to hand over the completed history to Councillor Emmas – Williams and he congratulated the sub- group coordinated by Graham Clarke which had overseen the development of the book.
In presenting the book to Ripley Library, Councillor Emmas - Williams said that he was particularly aware of his close association with Ripley Morris, dating back to a trip to Chateau Renault in 1995 and including attendance at a number of Ripley Morris Ale Feasts over the intervening years. He congratulated the side on the publication of their history and noted that Ripley Morris have always played a part in the Ripley community through dancing at local events and in their continuing support of The League of Friends of Ripley Hospital. He hoped this relationship would endure for many years to come.
Members of Ripley Morris at the presentation ceremony.
You can see Ripley Morris performing at Cromford Apple Day by the Boat Inn on Saturday 16th October at 2.00pm and 3.00pm.
If you are interested in learning more about Morris Dancing or would like to have a go yourself the side has just started on a new practice season and meets weekly at Fritchley Church Hall from 8.00pm to 10.00pm on Thursday evenings. No previous experience is necessary and you will receive expert tuition and support in a convivial setting. If you join now you will be dancing out with Ripley Morris on their annual Boxing Day Tour on 26th December this year.
Check out future activities through the Ripley Morris Facebook page or their website at ripleymorris.org.uk
Contact Ripley Morris by email at ripleymorris@hotmail.com
Ripley Morris are proud to wear the Ripley Town Crest and are supported by Ripley Town Council.
More News From Amber Valley Info
| News Have you seen missing girl Megan From Ripley Have you seen Megan? The 15-year-old has been reported missing from her home in Ripley. read more | |
| A night at the museum for the 5th Dronfield Hilltop Cubs Great British Car Journey, the award-winning classic car museum in Ambergate, Derbyshire, hosted the pack for a very special read more | |
| Alfreton chapel with planning for redevelopment as two homes goes under the hammer The former Methodist chapel in the village of Westhouses near Alfreton is to go up for auction thi read more | |
| Love Sadler Gate Promises Blooming Good Time at Spring Market Love Sadler Gate, the collective of independent businesses in the iconic Derby Cathedral Quarter street, will be holdin read more | |
| Lord Burlington opens iconic Heage Windmill On Saturday around 120 guests welcomed Lord Burlington to Heage Windmill for the Official Opening of the mill following extensive repairs read more | |
The Amber Valley Info Noticeboard
| Cold Callers claiming to be working on behalf of Derbyshire County Council Policehave seen and increase in reports of 'cold callers' where people are claiming to be working on behal read more | |
| Subscriptions For Amber Valley Borough Councils 2024 Garden Waste Service Are Now Open The garden waste collection service is available to all residents in Amber Valley except for r read more | |
| Mobile networks are being improved in Ripley Mobile networks are being improved in Ripley boosting the speed, performance and coverage of mobile services in the area. read more | |
| Trent Barton Buses - Extension Of The £2 Single Fare Cap Trent Barton Buses have confirmed their participation in the extension of the £2 single fare cap until the end o read more | |
| Crich Tramway Village Looking For An Engineering Manager The successful candidate for this post will have excellent management skills gained whilst working in a practical workshop e read more | |
