THERE was a double dose of morris dancing at The Crooked Billet in Hook at the weekend.

Canadians Saturday Orange Peel Morris, from Orangeville, near Toronto, visit the village to dance with the Hook Eagle Morris Men.

The day started with both sides dancing outside The Coach & Horses in Rotherwick, enjoying the local ales.

The sides then moved on to The Crooked Billet, where Richard and Sally Sanders are celebrating 30 years as landlords, for lunch and an afternoon of dancing.

Each side took turns to show off their skills, with a mixture of traditional dances and ones that they have created themselves.

Jonathan Buisson, squire of Hook Eagle Morris Men, said: “Orange Peel Morris have been on a tour of England and we were very pleased to play host to them. Both sides dance in the Border Morris tradition and have a similar outgoing and flamboyant style.”

“Some years ago Orange Peel Morris adopted Hook Eagle’s signature dance, ‘Crooked Billet’, and they wanted to come to Hook to do it.

“Our dancing culminated in both sides performing ‘Crooked Billet’ simultaneously outside the self-same Crooked Billet while its legendary landlord Richard Sanders looked on, with the two sides’ musicians provided a wall of sound for the dancers.

“It was hugely enjoyed by everyone.”

For Orange Peel Morris, the visit to Hook came at the end of a two-week tour which included visits to the Swanage Folk Festival, where they danced with several other Morris sides, as well as taking the opportunity for some sightseeing and other English traditions such as cream teas and a canal boat trip. The exhausted and “foot-sore” side returned to Canada this week after a brilliant late summer tour.

John Ellis, bagman of Hook Eagles, said: “These kind of events, being with other sides and having a great time, are part of the spirit of Morris.

“It’s something we want more people to enjoy. That’s why we are having a ‘taster evening’ to encourage people from Hook and the surrounding area to come along and try it out.”

The taster evening is being held at the Elizabeth Hall on Friday, October 14, starting at 8pm, and the Morris Men are promise free beer for everyone attending.

For more details, visit hookeagle.org.uk or call John Ellis on 07900 886855.