Morris dancers bounce back after disbanding fears

A Morris dancing group, which was on the brink of folding in 2025 after existing for more than 60 years, has been saved thanks to a recruitment drive.

Low membership at Furness Morris, based in Ulverston, Cumbria, had caused the band to turn down several gigs last year, but it is now hoped they will perform at events in the spring and summer.

It secured its future by welcoming nine new members following "last chance" sessions to boost membership.

New recruit Joanne Press, 43, who joined in August, said it was important to her to keep the tradition going, while longstanding member Les Ord said he previously thought "that was the end", but was now looking forward again.

Ord, who has been part of the group for more than 50 years, said it had been "slightly disappointing" when initially only two people turned up after the open sessions at the start of the summer.

But in September more people walked through the door and brought others with them.

The musician said he was feeling "optimistic" about the future as some of its new members were younger, including two teenagers.

"If we didn't get anything coming out of that effort that we were putting in, then I think that was the end," Ord said.

"But now it's not. Now we're looking forward again."

Furness Morris was founded in 1963 and had 20 members in its prime, however that had dwindled to just eight prior to the new recruits joining.

New member Press, from Barrow, said Morris dancing was "really good fun" and a good workout and keeping its legacy alive mattered.

"It is a huge tradition," the driving instructor said.

"It's nice to know not just the dances themselves but a bit of the history behind it, ensuring that you're keeping that going.

"That's really important to me as well as the other people who have signed up."

New recruits took to the stage for the first time at Furness Tradition's Winter Gathering in December.

Ord said the new members "rose to the occasion".

"I was stood in front of them playing music and it was just a joy to watch them because there was obvious pleasure on their faces"

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