Welcome to the Isca Morrismen Website - Home of the Traditional Morris Dancers from South Wales performing Welsh Border and Cotswold Morris dances together with local Mumming Plays, Wassailing ceremonies and the Mari Lwyd custom



Return to the Home Page of the Isca Morrismen
Check out our Next Appearance
Contacts & Feedback
Programme of Events for this Year
May Day Celebrations
Browse some of the recent photos taken on the Isca Morrismen touring programme
Browse and Download our range of Leaflets



Activities
Articles
Boxing Day
Folk Plays
Foreign Adventures
Mari Lwyd
Major Events
Isca Mummers in Action
Tradition
Visiting Sides
A potted history of our members and your invitation to come and join us and help keep an ancient tradition alive
Site Map
Links to our favourite sites


Isca Morrismen Dancing Programme for 2008

Isca Morrismen performing during last summer in the main square in Usk

The Isca Morrismen maintain a long-standing tradition of dancing out most Wednesday evenings during the summer period at a variety of real ale pubs where we bring entertainment to the community and provide the men themselves with the opportunity to enjoy good ale!

Outside of this period we are either busy practicing or travelling to a variety of events. We dance throughout the old county of Gwent, now spread across the City of Newport and the county boroughs of Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire and Torfaen and are always delighted to welcome new members, whether beginners or experienced dancers and musicians.

Click here to visit the website of the Otley Brewing Company
Click here to visit the website of The Gladiator
Click here to visit the website of Cwmbran Brewery
Click here to visit the website of Tomos Watkin Welsh Ales
Click here to visit the website of Warcop Brewery
This year we are delighted that our traditional dancing programme is being sponsored by local Welsh Breweries, all of which are producers of excellent real ale and to whom we are grateful for their wholehearted support.


Please enjoy their real ales and visit their websites to learn more by clicking on any of the pictures.


In addition we acknowledge the encouragement and support of The Gladiator, our practice venue during the winter.

Period up to May 2008:-

Over the winter practice season our events are:

January 2008

Sunday 6th - 12th Night Mari Llwyd Click here to bring up directions on how to find the Mari Llwyd

7.00 p.m.
onwards
Starting from the Star Inn, Llanvihangel Tor-y-Mynydd with performances in the village during the course of the evening. A chance to enjoy this traditional Welsh folk custom, re-enacted and revived by the community with joviality, banter, music and dancing helped along by the Isca Morrismen. Around 9.00 p.m. the Mari returns to the Star Inn after it's perambulation around the parish.

Saturday 12th - Wassail at the Ostrich InnClick here to bring up directions on how to find  the Wassail Click here to bring up information on the Ripley Morrismen

8.00 p.m.
onwards
A traditional cider wassail based on the Ostrich Inn at Newland, just to the south of Monmouth. The wassail begins at around 8.45 p.m. with the traditional ceremony followed by the passing around of a traditional wassail bowl filled with mulled cider - a real treat!

Saturday 26th - Ripley Morrismen Ale

Click here to bring up information on the Ripley Morrismen

Dancing Programme for the Summer Season

May to September 2008:-

Our programme for the summer dancing season from May onwards is shown below.   Please note that changes to our programme are sometimes necessary due to circumstances beyond our control, so always check our Next Appearance page for the latest information.

Isca Morrismen performing at dawn last summer in the ampitheatre on May 1st

May 2008

Thu 1st - May Day - Dancing at Dawn with Cardiff Ladies and others

5.30 - 6.40 a.m.
7.00 a.m.
8.15 a.m.
Map
Map
Map
Caerleon Amphitheatre
Breakfast at The Gladiator
The Gladiator, Malpas

Mon 5th - May Day Bank Holiday Tour with Sweyns Ey Morrismen and others

9.30 a.m.
10.45 a.m.
12.45 p.m.
3.00 p.m.
Map
Map
Map
Map
St Woolos Cathedral, Newport
Nags Head Inn, Usk
Hen and Chickens, Abergavenny
Magor Spring Fair

Sat 10th - Tredegar House Folk Festival, Newport

12.20 p.m.
12.45 p.m.
3.00 p.m.
4.10 p.m.
Map Buskers Stage
Dance Procession
Courtyard Stage
Corus Pavillion Stage

Wed 14th - Shirenewton Joint Tour with Tiger Feet Appalachian Dancers

8.30 p.m.
9.30 p.m.
Map
Map
Tan House, Shirenewton
Carpenters Arms, Mynyddbach

Wed 21st - Cappers Joint Pub Tour with Lassington Oak Morrismen

8.30 p.m.
9.30 p.m.
Map
Map
Boat Inn, Penallt
Ostrich Inn, Newland

Wed 28th - Joint Pub Tour with Forest of Dean Morrismen

8.15 p.m.
9.15 p.m.
Map
Map
The Crown, St. Briavels
The George Inn, St. Briavels

Fri 30th - 8 p.m. Charity Fundraiser at The Gladiator, Newport

8.00 p.m. Map The Gladiator, Malpas

June 2008

Isca Morrismen performing during last summer at the village fete in Henllys

Wed 4th - Godfrey Morgan Joint Walking Tour of Newport

8.30 p.m.
9.30 p.m.
Map
Map
Old Murenger House, Newport
John Wallace Lintons, Newport

Fri 6th to Sun 8th - De Akkermennekes Folk Festival, Belgium

Belgium FlagFlanders FlagLimburg Province Flag

Weekend Map Performing throughout the weekend

Wed 11th - Isca Silurum Joint Walking Tour of Caerleon with Cardiff Morris

8.30 p.m.
9.15 p.m.
9.45 p.m.
Map
Map
Map
Goldcroft Inn, Caerleon
Red Lion Inn, Caerleon
Bell Inn, Caerleon

Sat 14th - Judy and Friends Concert, Congress Theatre, Cwmbran
                That's Entertainment - A Charity Concert in Aid of Childline

7.30 p.m.
onwards
Map
A pleasant evening to be spent on stage at the Congress Theatre participating in this local charity event.

Wed 18th - Caerphilly Borders - Joint Pub Tour with Cardiff Ladies

8.30 p.m.
9.30 p.m.
Map
Map
Black Cock Inn, Caerphilly
Otley Arms, Treforest

Wed 25th - Pontypool Valleys - Joint Pub Tour with Shoostring

8.30 p.m.
9.30 p.m.
Map
Map
Twyn-y-Ffrwyd Inn, Abersychan
Globe Inn, Talywain

July 2008

Wed 2nd - Valley Dragons Joint Pub Tour with Clocs Canton

8.30 p.m.
9.30 p.m.
Map
Map
The Otter, Newbridge
The Commercial, Pontymister
Sat 5th

Two Rivers Folk Festival, Chepstow

Around 25 Sides will be dancing in Chepstow Town Centre during the day and appearing at:

10.00 a.m.
11.00 a.m.
2.20 p.m.
3.00 p.m.

Map
Map
Map
Map

Bridge Inn
Three Tuns
Beaufort Square
Library

Wed 9th - Tintern Wye Valley Pub Tour

8.30 p.m.
9.30 p.m.
Map
Map
Fountain Inn, Trellech Grange
Anchor Hotel, Tintern

Sat 12th - Henllys Village Fete, Henllys, Cwmbran

2.30 p.m.
onwards
Map

Henllys Village inc Doralt Inn and Cwrt Henllys

Wed 16th - Archenfield Triangle with Cwmni Gwerin Pont-y-Pŵl

8.30 p.m.
9.30 p.m.
Map
Map
Bridge Inn, Llanfoist, Abergavenny
Hen and Chickens, Abergavenny

August 2008

Sat 16th - Pontardawe Festival with Sweyns Ey Morris

10.30 a.m.
onwards
Map
Pontardawe Town Centre

September 2008

Wed 3rd - Godfrey Morgan Joint Pub Tour of Caerleon with Newport International Folk Dancers and Jawahir

8.30 p.m.
9.15 p.m.
Map
Map
St Julian Inn, Caerleon
Angel Hotel, Caerleon

Wed 10th - Newport Levels Joint Tour with Gwerinwyr Gwent

8.30 p.m.
9.30 p.m.
Map
Map
Port O Call Hotel, Marshfield
Church House Inn, St Brides

Wed 24th - Joint Pub Tour of Usk with Clocs Canton

8.30 p.m.
9.30 p.m.
Map
Map
Three Salmons Hotel, Usk
Royal Hotel, Usk

October 2008

Wed 15th - Annual General Meeting (not dancing)

8.30 p.m.
onwards
Map
The Gladiator, Newport

From 8th October onwards

In the winter our practice season begins in October each year. Over the last few years we are grateful for the encouragement and support we have received from The Gladiator.

We meet every Wednesday evening from 8.00pm. onwards in the Function Room at The Gladiator for dancing, ale and convivial conversation. Come and Join Us and enjoy dancing in a fine pub which has a regular choice of excellent real ales.

In addition to our weekly practices, the following events are already pencilled in for this period:-

October 2008

Sat 25th - Otley Arms, Treforest

6.30 p.m.
onwards
Map
An evening of dancing, music and song provided for the visitors to the Oct-O-Bar Fest Beer and Cider Festival being held in the Otley Arms - Along with plenty of sampling of both food and drink by us!

November 2008

Sat 15th - RUFF Ceilidh

8.00 p.m.
onwards
Map
Appearing at the Ceilidh at the University Hospital of Wales, Heath Hospital Sports and Social Club, Recreation Hall, Cardiff.

Fri 21st - Cardiff Morris Winter Ale

7.30 p.m.
onwards
Penarth Conservative Club - A convivial evening to be spent with the Cardiff Morris at their Winter Ale just outside Cardiff.

December 2008

Sat 6th - Isca Mummers Charity Tour

8.15 p.m.
onwards
The side will perform the Chepstow Mumming Play

Sat 13th - Isca Mummers Charity Tour

8.15 p.m.
onwards
The side will perform the Chepstow Mumming Play

For more details on the Mumming Play, it's historical background and pictures of Isca Mummers in action please see the following web pages on the Isca site:-

Historical Background
Folk Mumming Plays
The Chepstow Mumming Play
Isca Mummers in Action

Fri 19th - Mendip Morrismen Ale

7.30 p.m.
onwards
The side will be attending the Mendip Men's ale evening in Wrington in the countryside between Weston super Mare and Bristol.

Fri 26th - Boxing Day at the Ostrich Inn

12.15 p.m.
onwards
Our traditional one pub outing for Boxing Day at the Ostrich Inn in Newland, just to the south of Monmouth. Performances will be between 12.15 and 1.30 p.m., depending on both the weather and the audience.

January 2009

Tuesday 6th - 12th Night Mari Llwyd

6.15 p.m.
onwards
Starting from the Star Inn, Llanvihangel Tor-y-Mynydd with performances in the village during the course of the evening. A chance to enjoy this traditional Welsh folk custom, re-enacted and revived by the community with joviality, banter, music and dancing helped along by the Isca Morrismen. Around 9.00 p.m. the Mari returns to the Star Inn after it's perambulation around the parish.

Saturday 10th - Wassail at the Ostrich Inn

8.00 p.m.
onwards
A traditional cider wassail based on the Ostrich Inn at Newland, just to the south of Monmouth. The wassail begins at around 8.45 p.m.

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