Latest news with #FurnessMorris
BBC News
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'Last chance' to save Furness Morris dancing group
There are hopes a Morris dancing group could be saved if new people join next Morris, based in Ulverston, Cumbria, recently warned it was in danger of folding after 62 years due to low a meeting on Friday, it was decided to organise two final sessions to try and attract new members. "We are not exactly at the end of the road, but this is a bit of a last chance to try and recruit," Les Ord, who has been with the band for 50 years, said "At the end of these two new sessions, if we don't attract anybody new, then that would probably be the end," Mr Ord events will take place in Ulverston in June, with dates and a venue due to be Ord, who is the second longest-serving member of the group, said they were part of the community and it would be good to preserve the tradition. Furness Morris was founded in 1963 and had 20 members in its is now down to eight, with at least half a dozen new dancers needed to secure its over 18 is welcome to join, with the group hoping to pass the baton on to younger Ord added the band could continue as a social activity without new recruits but would not be able play gigs, having had to turn down five so far this year due to a lack of numbers."We feel it's part of the heritage," he said."We'd be quite happy to hand on the tradition if we got the right number of people to be able to do that." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Furness Morris Dancers' future under threat after 62 years
A Morris dancing group says it is in danger of folding unless more people Morris, based in Ulverston, Cumbria, was founded in 1963, but dwindling dancer numbers have put its future at Ord, who is the second longest-serving member, said the situation was "critical".A meeting is being held later to discuss the future of the band which has had to turn down five gigs so far this year, including the Pace Egg play. Mr Ord said: "We've lost a few members over the recent years. "They've either moved away, or sadly one died, and we've had a few injuries."We've gone down to very low numbers and you need a minimum number to be able to put on a decent show. We're struggling."Mr Ord, who has been with the group for 50 years, said at least half a dozen new members were needed to help its are currently eight, but there were 20 in its Ord urged people to come and try out Morris dancing with friends."It's just a great social activity. It keeps you fit, you mix with people. "The music is wonderful and it gets you around the villages and towns in South Cumbria and the Lake District." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
