The Witchmen -- Ashton Conker Championships, Oct. 2006

The woman behind us:

"Oh look! My dentist is a Witchman!"

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• The
• Witchmen
• pagan
• morris
• dancing
• dance

[Micky1964]

I lived in Ashton for almost 8 years and saw these lots of times at the Conker Championship - this brings back great memories of boozy Conker days. Hope this year's (Sunday coming, I assume - 2nd Sunday in October) is a success. Thanks for the clip.

[jamesS0289]

No problem. :)

I hope that this year's is a success too -- although, I wonder what it'll be like now that it's going to be a mile up the road from Ashton itself. I think that part of what makes it is the location; and I get the sneaking suspicion that its recent move into a field (rather than staying on Ashton's village green) has dissuaded my parents from taking us all there this year. :(

[zduracel77]

Aah yes, my dad's a Wiotchman, but I think this was b4 he joined. That dance is called maiden's prayer, that dance has been dropped. It wasn't the best one anyway.

[jamesS0289]

Yeah, this video is a few years old now... interesting that you get "inside information" about it, though!

A few years ago I remember hearing a woman behind me exclaim, while watching them, "Ooh look! There's our dentist!"

[GashGooch335]

poofery is rife in england.

[jamesS0289]

You're thinking of *regular* morris dancers. :P

[Aridelles]

LMAO off at the comment!

[Micky1964]

I share your fears James. I know they want more space, and it's claimed the site has great views over the valley and Oundle, but there's something very special about the atmosphere in Ashton. End of an era, certainly.

[erik4797]

Sorry to disagree zduracel77, but the dance in this video is 'Wickerman' and sorry to disagree again but we do still dance 'Maiden's Prayer' but not as much as we used to.

[zduracel77]

Yeah, well my dad's a witchman, so I know a bit about them

[morrisndoris]

absolutly briliant!