MORRIS dancing is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its revival in Horwich this year.

The Horwich Prize Medal Morris Men group was reformed in 1976. And now it is going from strength to strength with a team of men across all ages led by foreman Tom Besford.

Tom hails from a Morris dynasty — his mother ran Rivington Morris and his father is a former Horwich man — and seeks precision and expression in the processional style of North West Morris dancing.

He said: "I like to see North West Morris danced with smart co-ordinated movements. We may not be quite there yet but we are not far off and it is my lofty ambition to help return Horwich back to the highest echelons of Morris dancing."

Although the team has several dancers in their 20s, a few members performed with the team in the 1970s. One of these is the sprightly Bob Bradley who is still able to teach the younger cohort a thing or two about the Morris and supping beer, two of his favourite pastimes.

Recent highlight for the team include dancing on the main stage at the Shepley Folk Festival last year and performing at the commemoration of Lancashire day at the Trackside pub in Bury, with the Britannia Coconut Dancers from Bacup.

Tom said: "We hope the Nutters will appear at our annual Day for St George celebrations on Saturday, April 23, and you never know they may even repeat their storming performances including one that straddled the bar in the Blackedge Brewery."

Pubs in Horwich rally to support the Day for St George, especially the Crown where long-serving landlord Gary Parker and Holts brewery give hospitality to the teams that dance.

Mr Parker says the Day for St George is one of the highlights in the pub’s busy calendar.

"We’ve been hosting the Morris men for many years now and I expect we will be for many more yet," he said.

The Day for St George procession starts at The Crown at 10.30am.

Tom said: "It’s about bringing communities together in a merry cacophony of music, dance and general fun, long may it last."

The Horwich Prize Medal Morris Men are about to start their busy calendar of summer performances in April, beginning with the Todmorden Folk Festival. Follow the side on Facebook to find out where to see them next, or come along and join in at a practice on Wednesday nights (8.30pm) at the Horwich Resource Centre; musicians and dancers are always welcome! For more information about Horwich Prize Medal Morris men contact the secretary Andy Stevenson-Jones secretary@horwichmorris.org or on 07749 240289.