We're taking our Beltane scallywaggery to MONTOL!

What’s this, a winter solstice gig in deepest, darkest Cornwall? Heck yes!

We will be at the epic Montol Festival in Penzance on Saturday 21st December!

FIND US HERE 👇
🔥Dancing 2 pm - 3.30 pm at the London Inn
🔥6 pm parade participation, start at Greenmarket
🔥Dancing 7.15 pm at Greenmarket
🔥Dancing 8.15 pm at the Global Ale House
🔥9.30 pm parade participation, starting at Greenmarket to the seafront
🔥Last performance approx 10.15 pm

See map below for locations.


SATURDAY 21 DECEMBER 2024 WITH PROCESSIONS, GUISE GUILDS AND MASKS...
Suitable for: Families before dark and adults after dark.
Read here more about what to expect: https://montol.org/

Spooky Samhain shenanigans

We’re very excited to release our programme for our upcoming Samhain celebrations. Kicking off at the Museum of Dartmoor Life, where several of our members have been speaking and exhibiting lately, we’ll be dancing, storytelling, singing, and soul-caking until heading over to Belstone for an ancestor ceremony and fire dancing. Join us! Bonus points for wearing fairy lights and spooky Dartmoor-inspired costumes!

We're in the Herald! Are we famous?

Well would you look at that, the reviews have racked up this season. We’re loving this little snippet in the Sidmouth Herald following our performance at Sidmouth Folk Festival in the summer.

And then there was the distinctive and slightly scary Beltane Border Morris from Dartmoor, festival favourites for their wild, dark take on a dance style originating in the Welsh Borders, where dancers of the past wore tatters and blackened their faces to avoid being arrested for begging. Roaring, charging, clashing sticks, their performance was simply unforgettable.

Delia Pemberton

Photo credit: Delia Pemberton

We'll take it...

Every now and then a bit of feedback comes along that puffs up our sails and keeps us floating merrily through the darker practice months.

One such comment was included in Rychard Carrington’s review of Teignmouth Folk Festival, published on p.97 of the Sept/Oct 2024 edition of Rock'n'Reel Magazine.

'Of the daytime open-air acts in the centre of town, the groups who impressed most were the Irish traditional quartet Celtic Dawn and the Fisherman’s-Friends-influenced Back Beach Boyz. Yet most captivating were the Morris sides who were dancing all over the place. Particularly thrilling were the Border Morris sides, with their tasseled tunics and combative sticks. These exuded a dark pagan energy that really excited. The most stunning side, Beltane Border Morris, had something of a goth/steam-punk appearance, while taking influence and inspiration from not only the legends of Dartmoor but also an anarcho-socialist affinity with the history of brave political protest. It is such heritage that makes folk festivals more than just good entertainment.'

Wanna be in our gang?

Have you got the stamina to join our highly energetic dance team? Do you have a good game face and a loud roar? Then come to our tryout day below and get a feel for what it means to be part of Beltane.

When: Thursday October 17th from 7.45 - 9.45 pm

Location: The Chudleigh CE VC Community Primary School Hall Optional pub gathering afterwards!

How to get there?

Address: Lawn Dr, Chudleigh, Newton Abbot TQ13 0LS

Bus: there is a bus stop opposite the drive to the School Hall

Pub after practice: The Bishop Lacey Inn, 52 Fore St., Chudleigh, Newton Abbot TQ13 0HY

What to bring to practice?

  • Dress in layers (you will get hot!)

  • Wear shoes/boots that are comfortable to dance in but that do not leave marks on the wooden floor.

  • Bring a bottle of water.

Other info you need to know before signing up

  • Practice season runs from October every Thursday until April 23rd 2025.

  • A review of new dancers will take place before the Christmas break.

  • Summer season starts from late April till mid-September 2025 and consists of a minimum of 3 outs and 1 festival weekend per month.

  • Being part of Beltane is a pretty big commitment of rehearsing every week during winter (in Chudleigh, South Devon), and 3 Thursday evening performances and one weekend (festival) performance per month during the summer season (May till mid-September).

  • During the summer season, this includes being willing to travel to festival locations that may be up to a 2, 3 or 4-hour drive (there are car-sharing options).

  • All overnight stays (most of us camp together), meals and transport are self-funding.

These are all important things to consider when wanting to join Beltane as, besides being good at dancing, we also look for consistency of participation from our members (within reason). Please let us know if you intend to come to the tryout on Thu, Oct 17th at 7.45 pm by emailing us at beltaneborderbag@gmail.com

It's Morris, but not as we know it...

Well would you look at that, we’re only in the latest issue of Devon Life Magazine.

There’s a brilliant write-up of Nick Easen’s interview with our Squire Ant, along with some amazing photos from Peter Bigglestone, Dorset Morri’arty, Gavin Kilty, and more.

“It’s our serpentine move that excites the viewer. It’s exhilarating to do. The dance is not only a nod to Scottish reels, but the cascading waters high on Dartmoor weaving among the rocks. The moor is such an important part of all of our lives in the group,” says Ant. “We’re teaching new dancers this flowing movement that is influenced by our sense of place. It’s the essence, really, of the Beltane personality.”

Grab a copy from the Devon Life Magazine website to read more!

Magic, Myth, and Morris at the Museum of Dartmoor Life

It’s all happening at the Museum of Dartmoor Life this autumn. Several of our members, along with a whole host of other amazing local people, have co-curated a magical collection of exhibits for the Magic & Myth Exhibition. Visitors can meet the spirit of Old Crockern, marvel at a 120-year-old piskie pipe, and read handwritten spells by a local Dartmoor witch. You might even spot some of our kit!

Our hugely knowledgeable Squire Ant (aka the Morris Encyclopaedia) is also leading a talk on Mythical, Monumental, Moorland Morris! on Wednesday 9th October between 7 - 9 pm at the Museum. Ant will explore how Dartmoor inspires Morris locally, focusing especially on the way we choreograph compelling dances that bring moorland myths, legends, and monuments to life. Tickets can be bought in advance for £6 from the Museum.

Be quick if you want to see the exhibition, it ends at the beginning of November.

For more information click here.

Photo by @cat_ass_trophee on Instagram

If you really want more stuff than we can offer here, feel free to buy pretty much anything with our logo stamped on it from our partner shop below..

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