See the Winchester Morris Men at Trout n’ About 2025

It’s probably more than a century since there’s been traditional English folk dancing in the middle of Stockbridge High Street.

But with the A30 closed to traffic, Winchester Morris Men can now dance in the road for their first visit to Trout n’ About.

Around a dozen Winchester Morris Men – complete with colourful costumes, jingling bells and clashing sticks – will perform half a dozen traditional dances that have been handed down through the centuries.

Villages and towns around rural England have been morris dancing for more than 500 years.

“It’s one of the oldest English traditions,” said Bagman of the Winchester Morris Men, Derek Stewart. “We’re really looking forward to dancing at Trout n’ About.”

Winchester Morris Men don’t often dance in August.

“But some of the men have been to Trout n’ About before,” said Derek. “They told us it’s a good do, and that persuaded us to come along.”

The Winchester team dance in what’s known as the Cotswold-style. They will perform six dances, back-to-back, in two separate sessions on the High Street.

There will even be an opportunity for families to get involved.

Derek added: “It’s great if people feel they can try it out and join in. We enjoy getting close to our audience.

“If there is an enthusiastic audience we can have up to 20 or 30 people dancing with us.

“Sometimes it gets a bit difficult to manage. But we want people to enjoy themselves and have a really good time.”

Picture by kind permission of Winchester Morris Men