Today saw the increasingly popular annual Morris Men event. Teams of Morris Men descended on the town from around the country and Whitstable itself in displays throughout the day that brought dancing, clicking of sticks, colour and laughter to the town as they summoned in the start of the summer.
The teams, including the aptly named Oyster Morris and Whitstable's Dead Horse Morris, took turns performing their traditional dances to an enthralled audience outside the library at 10:30. They then paraded down High Street to greet the sea at the Horsebridge. This produced more sounds, the gnashing of teeth from drivers held up by the procession, but they could not help but brighten up at the site of grown men and woman dancing around in strange costumes and a large bear playing the fool. | Dancing at the Library and down Oxford Street. |
 Dancing was not really possible on the shingle beach so some teams bravely danced down the boat ramp to meet the sea. Fortunately they came to no harm except the bear who had trouble staying upright on the seaweed covered cobbles because of the metal studs on his shoes. | On arrival at the Horsebridge the teams congregated for more dancing allowing the traffic to flow once more. Again much frivolity was evident as the teams, in turn, climbed onto the sea-wall and danced precariously along it.  | but beware the bear! He could have taken them off but a bear with white feet would have spoiled the illusion as he crept up behind children and gave them the fright of their lives. Having decided against having a quick dip the bear returned to his victims. |
Once again modern vehicular movement was halted as the Morris Men took to the roads again invoking their historic right to the highway. They processed along Harbour Street, pausing for Jack-O-Green to join them. Jack-O-Green is a sort of tree thing, a large piece of mobile shrubbery that glided along symbolising the freshness of summer and new life to plants. It's appearance was sudden and mystical but OysterTown can reveal that something like a bush was seen struggling to get out of the doorway at the Duke of Cumberland. Even plants need watering!
The procession carried on to the harbour where the increasing crowd parted to allow it along the quay side, past the oyster stalls and fish market. By now every car parking place in the town was filled and the infectiousness of the Morris Men's dancing was causing the feet of many an old salt to jig along.
The next stop was the Castle grounds where the Morris Men spent the rest of the afternoon entertaining young and old alike. Other shows including children's magicians helped the enchantment feeling going throughout the day. If you were one of the children who was frightened by the bear there is a happy ending to the story. He finally got caught by some of them and tickled until his seams started splitting. Almost a bare bare! | Grizzle gets his dues |
OysterTown would like to thank the all the Morris Men and Women, including Mark Jopling, Molly Danglecrutch and the bear (possibly Maurice or Grizzle), for a wonderful day.
Apparently, according to the Whitstable Times, the local Morris Men had already been on the beach at dawn on May 1st saying 'It was wonderful to see the sun come up over the sea'. OysterTown sadly missed this earlier event but it must surely show the power of the Morris if they were able to shift the earth on it's axis for this magical moment!