|
|
Isca Morrismen - Our Members - Join Us
Much older than any of the modern "traditions" such as the "welsh costume" (victorian invention!), the "roast beef of olde england" and "fathers day", Morris dancing is an integral part of our country’s heritage.
Do you want to help keep alive and hand on a living history that dates back many centuries to others? The Isca Morrismen meet every Wednesday evening from 8 pm. in St Gabriels Church Hall in Old Cwmbran from October to April each year and dance out and about for the remainder of each year.
If you have an interest as a dancer or musician, or would like to help in other ways, please feel free to call in and visit the side. You will always be assured of a warm welcome whilst keeping fit and entertaining others with this vigorous and rewarding leisure activity.
Our members come from all ages and walks of life, ranging from teachers and authors through craft workers to engineers and salespeople. They all have one thing in common - an enjoyment of life and a determination to share their entertainment with others, coupled with a liking for some of those other fine traditions - for instance a pint of well kept real ale.
Our regular members include:
Steve 
Our Secretary and newest member - Steve is something high up in the canopy of forestry management and comes with an infectious enthusiasm, enjoying both his dancing and his beer.
Brian C
Our Squire (Leader) is Brian, once a full time lecturer who has now branched out and is the administrator at St. Woolos Cathedral in Newport and also an ex-member of the Helsinki Morrisers.
Ian L
Our Foreman (Instructor) and a video expert working out of Cardiff, Ian has danced and played for the side over many years.
Nigel
Our Treasurer and a computer project analyst currently working on a variety of major projects across Southern Britain. Isca has been fortunate that Nigel transferred from the Sweyns Ey Morrismen when he moved to live in Newport in order to reduce his travel time to work.
Les  
Our Webmaster and co-founder works within the IT industry, currently owning Net Marketing and Isca Web Designs, both companies which offer a variety of internet website design and consultancy services. Les has been running part of the folk scene over many years and is also an ex-member of Cardiff Morrismen as well as several Welsh dancing groups, including Gwerinwyr Gwent (another side in which he was involved as a founder member).
Adrian 
One of our musicians and a co-founder who, after many years as a Social Worker, now runs Breeze Sailing Charters offering charter yacht partnerships and hire plus yacht charter consultancy and commissioning services. Adrian originally hails from Oxfordshire and is an ex-member of Cardiff Morrismen. With his charter yachts now working out of Plymouth, Adrian has moved down to Saltash dancing with Plymouth Morrismen and joining us from time to time.
Andy
Our finest singer and a good musician and dancer, Andy is one of a trio of Sweyns Ey Morris who bring their talents and enthusiasm to us as regular country members of Isca.
Ann P 
A fine fiddler, and with her husband Terry, they make up a duo newly arrived from Newport Folk Club and raring to play!
Ann T
An accomplished box player and one of our first lady musician members who has moved to Lancashire with her partner. Ann plays at weekend events when she can and has joined the side on several overseas trips. As well as Isca she has also played regularly for Sweyns Ey and for John O'Gaunt.
Brian G
An engineer currently working out of the area in Somerset and also dancing with Cam Valley Morrismen, Brian is another of our country members.
Cliff
Yet another engineer and a passionate dancer who also fills in with sides in the East Midlands whenever visiting relatives.
Dave B
A full time teacher and folk enthusiast originally hailing from Jersey, Dave is also a qualified swimming coach and a former member of both the Helier and Chippenham Morrismen.
Dave W
A pipe and tabor man and another of our country members, Dave is an engineering academic who's work means that he has now lives in Hampshire dancing with Yateley Morrismen, joining us whenever he can.
Gareth 
Our Fiddler and an accomplished local author who has published a variety of articles and books over the years, mainly through local publishers Old Bakehouse Publications. His more recent "Glimpses of Gwent" series has been well received and comprises a lively series of essays on local places of interest. All three books have been equally enthralling with the forewards written by increasingly prominent people - Book 2 with Bill Clinton (yes THE Bill Clinton!!) and, wait for it!, Book 3 (published to rave reviews) has a forward by H.M. The Queen. (follow that Gareth).
George
A local government employee and one of our regular country members who has been with the side for many years and presently lives over towards Swansea, also dancing occasionally with Sweyns Ey Morrismen.
Glenys
One of our more recent musicians and a fine box player who has progressed from dedicated morris groupie to a full member enjoying our activities and with hidden promise as an excellent clog dancer.
John B
A photographic artist and former language teacher who holds regular local exhibitions and who joined us many years ago from Minnessota in the US of A where he has also danced for the Minnesota Morrismen.
John P
Another financial expert currently working for L'Oreal who has been with us for several years and currently hails from Usk.
Jonathan
Our youngest country member and also a regular dancer with Sweyns Ey Morris, Jonathan keen to dance with us whenever he can, both home and abroad.
Keith
The main stalwart of the Swansea based Sweyns Ey, we are fortunate to have Keith as a country member of many years experience with a number of groups.
Kim 
A qualified accountant and plant manager, Kim left the rat race a few years ago to set up High Oaks Stained Glass, a small studio based in the Forest of Dean which produces a range of quality hand-crafted stained glass items. Kim is also multi-talented and is a regular member of the Forest of Dean Morrismen and Full Moon, other locally based dancing groups.
Lawson
One of our more recent and enthusiastic recruits, Lawson, and his alter-ego 'Galleon', has sadly succumbed to long term injury and is now content to just support us from a distance whenever he can.
Nicky
A superb and lively melodian player who has married and moved with work, becoming a country member and playing for us when she can.
Paul
Another of our country members and a surveyor working within the construction industry, Paul has danced with a variety of sides as his work moves him around regularly. His previous sides include John O'Gaunt, Newton Bushell, Cardiff and Swindon Morrismen.
Pete
An occasional and valued member of the side who is the long time partner of one of our musicians, Pete now regularly dances with the John O'Gaunt side and visits us whenever he is able, travelling abroad with us on our last couple of foreign visits.
Sheila
An accomplished concertina player and one of our first lady musician members who with husband Dave now hails from Hampshire, joining us when she can. In her local area she is a key musician with Fleet Ladies Morris.
Terry
Previously a local sales representative for a well known tool company, Terry has now become an art student who now lives for most of the year in the Newcastle area and is also a regular with Full Moon when back in the area.
Tony
An excellent concertina player who has become one of our regular musicians and when not playing music, Tony is a gadget freak who enjoys a whole range of techie toys.
Vic
Our original concertina player and a veteran of many years standing who started dancing with London Rodney in the early fifties. Nowadays Vic is confined to the occasional playing and like Paul has been involved in several sides over the years, including Cardiff Morrismen which he helped found.
You
Yes - You could be the next one to join us, keeping body-fit and taxing your mind whilst entertaining others with this vigorous and rewarding leisure activity. If you have an interest as a dancer or musician, or would like to help in other ways, please feel free to call in and visit the side. You will be assured of a warm welcome as we are always eager to recruit new members. Have you got the bottle to try something new? Are you prepared to hand on living history to others? Do your heart a favour and try some light and enjoyable exercise. Contact us today and join in the fun!
|
This year we are delighted that our traditional dancing programme is being sponsored by local Welsh Breweries, producers of excellent real ale to whom we are grateful for their wholehearted support.
Please enjoy their real ales and visit their websites to learn more by clicking on the pictures.
We also acknowledge the support and encouragement of The Mount Pleasant in Old Cwmbran, our after-practice venue during the winter.
|
|
