Morris dancing festival hits streets of Wellington - in pictures
Plenty of music, smiles and cheers greeted shoppers in Wellington town centre for a morris dancing festival.
It was the second year running that the colourful Celebration of Border Morris took place in The Square.
Organisers from Ironbridge based The Ironmen & Severn Gilders groups were delighted with the reception from the gathering crowd on Saturday.
John Parnell, secretary of the Ironmen, says: It's going very well. We've got some good dancing sides here today. It's very good.
"People seem to be enjoying it too.
"This is the second time that we've run this festival. Last year we were going to launch it in Ironbridge, but because the Iron Bridge was closed for the renovation work we held it here instead and it went really well so we came back.
"This is a brilliant dancing space that lends itself well to morris dance.
"We may repeat it next year because we have got very good attendance here. We like to do more of these dances because we would like to recruit more members because we don't want the tradition to die. We've been going for 43 years."
Sisters Natasha and Ellie Lovatt, nine, of Wellington, were among the onlookers.
Natasha said: "It's very nice. I like the dance routines and the costumes. They've got bells on their legs. I would like to have a go if I could."
Ellie said: "It is lovely to watch. There is lots of music and instruments. I like the accordion and the drums, and the loud voices."
Carol Meyrick, 60, of Leegomery, says: "It is really good entertainment. This is what we need in Wellington, some really good fun. I would usually come do some shopping and rush off, but I've stayed today because the dancing is really good.
"I would love it if I could join in."
Other particpating groups were Fox Morris, from Kidderminster; Aelfgythe, from Alvechurch, and Bow Brook, from Upton Snodbury, both Worcesteshire.
Most of the dancers wore a mixture of face paint colours, with the Aelfgythe ladies standing out with their creative silver and black motifs.
The Ironmen and Severn Gilders practise every Monday from 8-10pm at The Telford Langley School, in Dawley, Telford, TF4 3JS.
