Shoreham: Sompting Village Morris dancers celebrate May Day
Traditional folk dancing, singing and music is expected to pass through the streets of Shoreham later to celebrate May Day.The Sompting Village Morris group plan to begin their May Day activities from Coronation Green at 07:00 BST.As a celebration marking the first day of summer, May Day's traditions are rooted in pagan festivals.The Morris dancing group will parade to the Shoreham War Memorial to crown their annual May Queen.
Started in 1978, Sompting Village Morris says their aim is to uphold the tradition of English street folk dance.Martin Frost, a dancer with the side, says they have been celebrating May Day in Shoreham for over a decade."I like to think that Morris dancing is an older version of younger people's street dance," he told BBC South East."We do it in the streets. We don't do it professionally. We do it just for fun."
What is Morris dancing?
As a form of traditional English folk dance, the dance takes on a variety of styles depending on where the group has come from.Sompting Village Morris says they are a joint team, with men and women performing separate dances at the same event.In 2023, the dance became a tradition which saw men no longer make up the majority of participants for - the first time in UK history.
Mr Frost said Morris dancing is eccentric and quintessentially English."You look at it and think it's a very odd thing to do," he said."These lads all dress up a bit strange. They're using sticks and hankies, jangling with bells. But why not?"
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Powys County Times
2 hours ago
- Powys County Times
David Beckham ‘immensely proud' over knighthood award in King's Birthday Honours
David Beckham says he is 'immensely proud' to have been awarded a knighthood in the King's Birthday Honours. For the last 30 years Sir David has transcended football to become one of the most recognisable faces on the planet, and his services to sport and to charity have now led to him being honoured. Beckham, who turned 50 last month, won 115 caps for England, earning 59 of those as captain. He said in a statement released to the PA news agency: 'Growing up in east London with parents and grandparents who were so patriotic and proud to be British, I never could have imagined I would receive such a truly humbling honour. 'To have played for and captained my country was the greatest privilege of my career and literally a boyhood dream come true. 'Off the pitch I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to represent Britain around the world and work with incredible organisations that are supporting communities in need and inspiring the next generation. 'I'm so lucky to be able to do the work that I do and I'm grateful to be recognised for work that gives me so much fulfilment. 'It will take a little while for the news to sink in but I'm immensely proud and it's such an emotional moment for me to share with my family.' Beckham won league titles in four countries – England, Spain, the United States and France – and played a key part as Manchester United won the Champions League in 1999 to complete the treble. United said in a club statement: 'All of us at Manchester United offer our warm congratulations to David Beckham on this richly-deserved honour. 'In the three and a half decades since he joined our academy as a 14-year-old, David has established himself as not only an indelible legend of this football club, but as a wonderful ambassador for the English game as a whole. 'David, we salute your achievements and thank you for your tremendous contribution to Manchester United.' Since retirement in 2013 Sir David has been heavily involved as the founder and co-owner of American Major League Soccer franchise Inter Miami, whose signing of Argentina superstar Lionel Messi has made them one of the world's most internationally recognised clubs. Away from football he has been a global ambassador for the humanitarian aid organisation UNICEF since 2005, and last year became an ambassador for the King's Foundation. This year we celebrate 20 incredible years of collaboration with our Goodwill Ambassador, David Beckham. From witnessing UNICEF's work firsthand, to raising awareness and funds for critical issues like malnutrition, education, gender equality, and violence against children, his… — UNICEF (@UNICEF) January 20, 2025 Philip Goodwin, UNICEF UK chief executive, said the charity was 'thrilled' by Beckham's knighthood and added: 'David Beckham has done an incredible amount to advocate for children's rights over the last 20 years. 'He became a Goodwill Ambassador in 2005 and launched 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund in 2015 – with the goal of helping children around the world, especially girls, break down barriers including bullying, violence, child marriage and missed education. 'He's travelled extensively to see UNICEF's work and used his profile to raise awareness, as well as support our flagship fundraising campaign Soccer Aid for UNICEF and launch global fundraising appeals. We are grateful for all of his support that has done a huge amount to amplify the voices of children around the world.' Beckham was part of a group of academy stars known as the 'Class of 92' whose ascendance to the Manchester United first team effectively heralded the start of United's second wave of Premier League dominance under Sir Alex Ferguson. The Scot was initially criticised for relying so heavily on the likes of Beckham, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes while allowing more established players to leave, but back-to-back league titles in 1996 and 1997 quickly silenced the doubters. Beckham won his first senior England cap in 1996 and made his World Cup bow at the 1998 finals in France. The tournament was a career lowlight for him however, as he was sent off for kicking out at Argentina's Diego Simeone as England exited on penalties in the last 16. The following summer was a complete contrast, with Beckham basking in United's treble success and marrying Spice Girl Victoria Adams. Beckham first skippered England under caretaker manager Peter Taylor in November 2000, but was made permanent captain from the start of Sven-Goran Eriksson's reign. The Swede's belief in the United star was rewarded as Beckham gave one of the performances of his life in a 2001 qualifier against Greece to drag England to qualification for the following year's World Cup in Japan and South Korea. England could not go beyond the last eight in Beckham's national team career, but he sits third in the men's all-time list for most England caps. Beckham joined Real Madrid's band of 'Galactico' superstars in 2003, but it took until his final season in Spain – 2006-07 – for him to win La Liga. By then he had already taken the decision in January 2007 – aged just 31 – to move to Los Angeles Galaxy in the United States. In LA Beckham won MLS Cups in 2011 and 2012 and ended his career with further European silverware, winning Ligue 1 with Paris St Germain in 2013. Retirement has not dimmed Beckham's celebrity, and he remains hugely in demand by the world's top brands. A 2023 Netflix documentary about his football career and family life was one of the most popular the streaming service has ever screened.
Evening Standard
2 hours ago
- Evening Standard
Adjoa Andoh says MBE for drama an ‘especial delight' as a British-Ghanaian
She told the PA news agency: 'How fabulous! The King loves engaging with people across the world and loves the arts, and so, as the daughter of English and Ghanaian children of Empire, it is an especial delight to be a part of his Birthday Honours List, as an MBE for services to the arts.
Time Out
5 hours ago
- Time Out
Central Park is offering free senior portraits at the Conservatory Garden next week
Calling all Class of 2025 grads: Central Park is giving you one more reason to celebrate before tossing that cap in the air. The Central Park Conservancy is offering free senior portraits at the newly reopened Conservatory Garden next week and trust us, your Instagram feed will thank you. Photographers will be on site Monday, June 16, and Wednesday, June 18, from 1 to 4 pm, snapping pro portraits in one of the city's most jaw-dropping green spaces. Reservations are required and slots are first-come, first-served, so now's the time to lock in your 10-minute fame window. The Conservatory Garden is made up of six manicured acres of formal gardens tucked into the northeast corner of Central Park, just off Fifth Avenue between 104th and 106th Streets. Recently reopened after a multi-year, $17 million renovation, the Conservatory Garden is looking fresher than ever—think crabapple allées, blooming borders, vine-draped pergolas and fountains worthy of a Bridgerton shoot. Grads are encouraged to show up in whatever outfit suits their vibe, whether it's a classic cap-and-gown look or a stylish statement piece that says, 'I'm done with cafeteria food and AP Chem.' There's no dress code, no awkward studio lighting and no fees, just a stunning backdrop and photo to mark the milestone. And while you're there, it's worth taking a lap around the three distinct garden styles: the French-inspired North Garden with its orderly lawns and fountain; the Italianate Center Garden, flanked by wisteria and yew; and the English-style South Garden, home to the beloved Frances Hodgson Burnett sculpture from The Secret Garden. Portraits will be emailed to students within 10 business days, which gives you just enough time to get them printed before the graduation party—or, let's be honest, to post with a carefully chosen Drake lyric.
