New morris dance troupe in Fleetwood - the second one in town

Sharni Bovill (left) and Aimee Brookes have set up the Highbury Morris Dancers in Fleetwood

The Highbury Morris Dancers group is based at St Nicholas Church hall and has been formed by Sharni Bovill and Aimee Brookes.

The pair are former members of the Fleetwood Royalettes, which was the first morris dancing troupe to be set up in the town, under the leadership of principal Carol Brooks back in the 1980s.

The Royalettes troupe is still going strong in the town, under the leadership of Shirley Farrington and Sammi Williams and is also welcoming new members.

But Sharni and Aimee say there is such a huge interest in morris dancing in the town that there is room for two separate troupes.

Sharni, 29, who lives in Hambleton, and works an assistant manager at the Thomas Drummond pub in Fleetwood, said: “I have been wanting to do this for a long time and we both have years of experience in morris dancing.

“We are not able to rehearse as a group at the moment, because of the lockdown restrictions, but plan to meet up in fews weeks.

“In the meantime we are busy putting together some of the costumes, which would normally cost around £5,000 for the dresses alone.

“Luckily my mum and my cousin are good at dressmaking so they are busy making them!”

It is hoped that a sponsorship arrangement can be established in the next few weeks.

Aimee, 35, whon lives in Fleetwood, said: “This town has a long-standing tradition in morris dancing for about 40 years and there are lots of young people who want to get involved.

“It is a fantastic thing to get involved with.”

The troupe will taking girls aged between three and adult age, with the dancers divided into different age groups.

They will even allow boys to join the troupe, as they believe there is a growing interest.

The troupe is affiliated to the Tameside Morris Dancing Organisation (TMDO) and will not be competing in the same events as the Royalettes.

The competitive season is due to begin in January next year, so the pair are looking to get the troupe shipshape for then.

In the meantime, anyone who wants to join the Highbury troupe will be welcome.

Further information about the troupe, which takes its can be found on the Facebook page.