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Updated: 20 January 2009
A Brief History
The traditional Ilmington Morris Men come from the village of Ilmington which is situated 8 miles south of Stratford-Upon-Avon, in the county of Warwickshire on the northern edge of the Cotswold Hills. Although mainly a continuous tradition of Morris Dancing has been recorded within the village for more than 350 years, there have been a
The traditional Ilmington Morris Men come from the village of Ilmington which is situated 8 miles south of Stratford-
number of significant periods of revival of their own unique dances, which number 24, including a broom dance (believed to have come from nearby Blackwell) originally danced by Sam Bennett (Fiddler) from the early 1900’s. Sam's original Hobby Horse (named affectionately Sam), now the oldest in the country, was made in 1899. It is still active with the side on many occasions.
Ilmington Kit
The Ilmington Morris ‘kit’, (as it is commonly referred to – or costume) is currently derived from descriptions of the old 1900 side with crossed yellow and blue sashes or Baldric. The colours are those of the Ilmington and Tysoe friendly societies. Grey cord trousers (or ‘dark cloth’ in old descriptions), a white shirt and a grey top hat (pre- 1900). In the early 1900’s cricket caps were worn, as the Headington Quarry Morris Men do to this day. During the sides existence decorated straw hats have also been worn as have white and black breeches. Blue and gold arm arm bands and a red spotted neckerchief are also worn. Bell pads are worn below the knee and these consist of leather pads
which each carry 25 brassed bells with ribbons. The Baldric carries the Ilmington insignia in the centre. a crest derived from the old village school badge.
Ilmington Insignia
A crest derived from the old village school badge. Designed in 1959 by the school children, the crest, on a grey background, depicts the bear and rugged staff, the insignia of the County of Warwickshire, the ‘torch of learning’ from the early school signs, the Ilmington Hobby Horse – once kept by the school and the letters IMM for Ilmington Morris Men.
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