Dancing troupe with over 100 years of history dances for the final time TODAY
A dancing troupe more than a century old – keeping alive a centuries-old English tradition – dance for their final time today.
Horwich Prize Medal Morris announced they would be disbanding late last year with their final dance today, Saturday, May 10.
The group – announcing the retirement on December 1 – said the decision came as they couldn't find new people to take up the traditional dance.
They couldn't get enough dancers to perform on St George's Day – with this year being the first time in half a century that there was no Morris dancing in Horwich on that day.
Tom Besford, former leader of the group, said: 'I'm really proud of Horwich and I hope that Horwich is proud of us.
'It was always lovely to see people cheering us on – especially some of the older ladies who will have seen the team dancing for decades in Horwich.
'It will be noticeable when we've gone.'
Although sad to see the group go – Mr Besford said that the final dance has brought dancers from all over to perform in the send off.
He said that dancers have been coming from as far as Wales, Northallerton and Selby.
It has also given Mr Besford to perform alongside his dad, Ian, and son, Ned – three generations of Morris dancers.
Tom Besford (right) with dad Ian (left) and son Ned (centre) (Image: Tom Besford) Mr Besford said: 'It's the first time I've ever seen it!
'I started dancing in Horwich when I was 16, and it's really sad that we've had to call it a day – I've spent my entire life dancing, and hoped my little boy would too.
'Horwich Morris in its current form has been going for 59 years and we all were hoping that we would go for 60.'
Have a story? Get in touch at eoin.mccaul@newsquest.co.uk
However, the group dates back even further than its current form – over 100 years – and they've even been contacted by a relative of the prize-winning team of 1901.
Mr Besford said: 'In fact, we've been contacted on Facebook by a relative of someone in the original prize-winning team in 1901.
'They said 'I've still got my grandad's medal if you want to see it'.'
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He said that with less-and-less people joining Morris groups it's sad to see the tradition go – but that traditions only stay alive if people keep them alive.
Mr Besford said: 'Ultimately we're dressed up in stupid clothing in the middle of Horwich drinking in loads of bars and having a great time in the sunshine.
'I thought that would be enough to persuade people to dance but sadly not.'
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