Thakeham Morris dance for Mary How Trust collections

Thakeham have had their own Morris Dancing side for over 20 years, and for many years now they have been raising funds for their local charity, the Mary How Trust for Cancer Prevention in Pulborough.
PHOTO: John Bearman, Squire of Thakeham Morris, presents a cheque for £100 from the Pulborough Harvest Fair to Roanne Moore-Loizides, Fundraising Manager of the Mary How Trust.PHOTO: John Bearman, Squire of Thakeham Morris, presents a cheque for £100 from the Pulborough Harvest Fair to Roanne Moore-Loizides, Fundraising Manager of the Mary How Trust.
PHOTO: John Bearman, Squire of Thakeham Morris, presents a cheque for £100 from the Pulborough Harvest Fair to Roanne Moore-Loizides, Fundraising Manager of the Mary How Trust.

Whenever they are out dancing at local pubs during the summer, they take with them their Mary How collecting tin, and this year filled it with over £100 in coins (and some notes!).

But their main fundraising for the past few years has been at summer fairs and fetes. Being small in number, and having other family commitments, the Morris side find it difficult to attend many of the requested weekend functions.

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This year, the Morris side managed a few events, and were well received by the public for their afternoon of traditional entertainment.

The Morris side normally agree a donation to their chosen charity from each event, and this year the Mary How Trust has received three cheques of £100 each.

These were donated by the Storrington Village Day in June, the Findon Sheep Fair in September, and the Pulborough Harvest Fair in October.

The Morris side have also supported their own local events over the years by dancing regularly at the Thakeham Flower Festival and Thakeham Village Day (the Morris side were formed in 1991 from local “volunteers” for a one-off Arena event at Thakeham Village Day, but have continued ever since!).

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Thakeham Morris are very much a local side, with male and female dancers mostly from Thakeham and Storrington.

They intend to keep going but need more new members, as age and injury have reduced their numbers. Practice for the next Morris dancing season starts in January, and new recruits will be very welcome.

For more information, contact our Bagman Derek Johnson on 01903 743041, or look at our website www.thakeham-morris.org.uk


Report contributed by John Bearman (Squire, Thakeham Morris) who is pictured presenting a cheque to Roanne Moore-Loizides, Mary How Trust’s fundraising manager.

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