Blog Archives

31/7/2025

Britannia Inn, Llanmadoc Thurs 31st July

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We were blessed with good weather for our visit to The Britannia Inn. Llanmadoc is our ancestral home as we started as a Morris side there back in 1966 and so it’s always lovely to return there.

Several of the side are injured, recovering from ops, or enjoying well deserved holidays, but we were still able to put out a good side for the gig which we did with two 20 minute sets. Keith nearly added himself to the list of seriously injured when he pretended to make a move on Sian's chips. Sian moves fast!

There were some spontaneous out breaks of the giggles from some dancers [Alison & Claire] which are shown in the pics. Young Ken informed us that he’ll be celebrating another octogenarian birthday in the next fortnight (how does he keep dancing?)

John from Brackley Morris Men & his wife said Hi/Shwmae to us, and joined us for Bonnie Green Garters at the end.
Pix by Paul

24/7/2025

Afan tafarn, the britannia, afan valley

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Sweyn’s Ey journeyed east of our usual haunts and visited Cwmafan. Once again a few of our regular, reliable members were busy elsewhere but we still managed to field 8 dancers (Alex D, Alex H, Alison, Ben, Claire, Di, Keith and Nige). Siân, Kev and Roger provided the music. Alison Bayliss, Morwen and Rowan also came along to support us.
We started at The Afan Tavern where there were plenty of people outside to watch us perform all 7 dances on Ben’s ambitious set list (Banks of the Lea, Speed the Plough, Constant Billy (Headington), Valentines, Lads A Bunchum, Greensleeves and The Rose Tree). Several people watched the whole set and contributed to our collection box.
We moved on to The Brit where the customers and staff ventured outside to provide an enthusiastic audience who were keen to be photographed with us. We danced all of the dances on Ben’s set list, when he’d finalised it (Balance the Straw, Step and Fetch Her, Curly Boar, Beaux (Badby), Riggs of Doom, Vandals and Bonny Green Garters).
Kev, Di and Alison played some lovely tunes to finish the evening and see us on our way.
No sticks were broken this evening – don’t know how that happened!
Words by Nigel, photos by Claire & Alex H.

16/7/2025

Sketty Scouts & The Railway Wed 16th July

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the side entertained sketty scouts, with ben giving them a potted history of the morris and us giving them a demonstration of a few dances. we invited them to do Brighton Camp and several got up to dance. It was a good show and they all seemed to enjoy our performance. never know, we may sow the seeds for these youngsters to take up folk dance when they become young adults.

we were planning on dancing up at the uplands Tavern but the shabby weather determined that we should go for a beer or two in the Railway Inn at Killay, and that was possibly the best outcome!

12/7/2025

kidwelly carnival sat 12th july

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We took a booking last year to dance at the Fete, never dreaming we would have to dance in heat like we ‘enjoyed’ today! But we did it, meeting in time to take part in the procession through the town at noon. Thankfully we walked along with the other floats, as to have danced would have been too exhausting.

We were asked to busk around the fete field but that meant dancing on grass and it also meant us competing with bands playing loudly on the stage! We hit a compromise, choosing to dance at the far end of the field after performing two dances near to the stage area when it was quiet there.

The Side’s umbrella, nobly held aloft by Erin’s mum, provided essential shade for Sian playing fiddle for us. Just a shame we can’t get one big enough for the whole side to dance under!

We danced several two dance sets, interspersed with rests and drinks which mainly came from the sweet stall nearby that sold ice cold Cola for £0.50!

At one point the Mayor joined us for a photo opportunity. Turns out he is a veteran of the Cropredy Festival honouring all things Fairport Convention, and he enquired as to whether we had ever been there as a side. Sadly ‘no’ was our answer but he was impressed that we had been to two Greenman festivals at Crickhowell! Anyway, here are some shots of us dancing under the blisteringly hot Cydweli sun!
Pics by Paul, Erin & Alex.

10/7/2025

The Pump House & The Queens Hotel.

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Sweyn’s Ey visited The Pump House in Swansea Marina and then moved on to The Queens in Gloucester Place on Thursday evening. Once again a few of our regular, reliable members were busy elsewhere but we still managed to field 8 dancers (Alex D, Alex H, Claire, Erin, Geoff, Keith, Margaret and Nige). Siân and Kev provided the music. One of the benefits of having a bigger membership is that we can still get a side together for our Thursday dance-outs even when people are away on holiday.

It was a very hot evening and there were plenty of people sat outside the Pump House and folk strolling around the marina who seemed to appreciate our efforts. It was good to see Alex H back from his trip away in the heat, I don’t suppose he found it as uncomfortable as the rest of us. We left our new collection tin conveniently placed by the Dylan Thomas statue, not sure if this encouraged or discouraged contributions!

We danced Balance The Straw, Banbury Bill, Postman’s Knock, Valentines, Beaux of London City (Badby), Vandals and The Curly Boar. We stopped for re-hydration frequently and several onlookers took the opportunity to ask us what we were up to, Keith told them.

We moved on to The Queen’s Hotel where an enthusiastic crowd of customers (and passers-by) enjoyed our dancing in the street. More vehicles than any of us can remember stopped and waited for our dancing to finish before driving on (with one exception who squeezed past). We danced Banks of The Lea, Rose Tree, Grenadiers, Sweet Jenny Jones, Greensleeves, Lads A Bunchum and Bonny Green Garters. We now have a new type of hey in our repertoire, courtesy of Erin; hope we’re able to repeat it. We managed to perform both of our ”fishy, fishy, clack” dances this evening. Geoff was keen for us to carry on and move to Wind Street. There wasn’t quite enough support for this from a hot and tired side so we had another pint in The Queens and headed for home.
Write up by Nigel, pics by Claire.

4/7/2025

All wales morris weekend 4-6/7/25

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Traveling from Swansea to Trefnant in North Wales through the scenic route spotting red kites and imaginary Man Sized sea Eagles (long story!). the mountains were, as ALWAYS BREATHTAKING. We travelled up on Friday the 4th arriving at Trefnant Village Hall and Playing Fields (for camping) to be warmly welcomed with tea and cakes by Clerical Error Morris, our hosts for the weekend. We met Friday evening in the local pub for a Sweyns Ey meal and refreshments (beer not great). Saturday day of dance was a coach trip to Conwy, with Sweyns Ey taking up the usual naughty seats in the back.

THE TOWN and castle are beautiful settings for Morris DANCING WHICH we shared our tour with Cardiff Morris. The historic atmosphere and bustling atmosphere of the town complimented the lively performances perfectly.

DANCING in SUCH an iconic location as Conwy Castle was a memorable experience with a fine audience gathered in the courtyard and around the battlements. We then moved to dance in the centre of town at Lancaster Square and then onto the Quayside which was extremely busy.

Finally all sides met back in the castle for the end of the day. The Coach returned us to Trefnant and some of us enjoyed 40 winks prior to the evening ceilidh which was hosted by Clerical Error musicians and caller. An interesting interlude with hilarious song and actions ensued at half time. Erin also won a nice bottle of rum in the £1 coin rolling competition.

We had a downpour during the night on Saturday but cleared nicely for taking down tents and Sweyns Ey shelter on the Sunday morning. All then travelled to Erddig House (Large stately home and gardens) near Wrexham to meet up at 11:00 with the remaining sides and Clerical Error for dancing around the grounds with a final after lunch spot for all sides in front of the main house. All then made their 4 hour journey back to Swansea (some taking in a more scenic diversion)

Article by Geoff Pics by Erin, claire, Alison, Morwenn, zep & Geoff

3/7/2025

The ship Porteynon & worms head, rhossili

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We had an extremely enjoyable evening dancing at these two pubs, situated on the western extremities of the Gower peninsular. The sun was shining and there was a good crowd sat outside at the Ship, who enjoyed our performance of nine dances which included Curly Boar and Rigs of Doom, as well as Banks of the Lea.

A quick drive to Rhossili revealed several people sat on the patio of the Worm’s Head Hotel and this is where we danced, with us having to be mindful of the strong breeze that cooled us but also threatened to blow straw hats from heads over the cliffs and far away!

We noticed one of the people watching us singing the song that goes with Postman’s Knock and it turned out he was from Towersey Morris and enjoying a holiday in the area.

We did a six dance injury curtailed set against views that can only be described as stunning! There cannot be many places as magical as this, with Worms Head in the distance and the towering slopes of Rhossili Down above the golden sands of a beach that stretches on forever!

We danced until the sun set, being well content with the evening tour at these two lovely locations. We must return!

A sad post script to this tour! A fire broke out at the worms Head Hotel during the early morning hours of 14/7. Fortunately no one was injured but a significant part of the hotel has been destroyed. we hope the hotel quickly recovers from this.