Hop Hoodening, Canterbury

Saturday 12th September

Today, as guests of Wantsum Morris, we joined the Hop Hoodening in Canterbury, along with lots of other Morris sides.

We met early for our customary breakfast, then joined the other sides on the green outside the Cathedral to ready ourselves for the procession and cover our hats and heads in hops. Once we were organised, all the morris bands struck up, playing 'Winster Processional' as we made our way into the Cathedral. The sound was incredible, the acoustics of the Cathedral made the sound reverberate around the walls and after the the music had reached it crescendo the Dean of Canterbury Cathedral lead the blessing of the hops.

Once the service had finished the morris bands lead us back out into the sunshine playing 'Hopping down in Kent'. Out in the Cathedral courtyard each of the morris sides took a turn in dancing in the middle and ended with a group dance.

After lunch in the pub (well we are Morris dancers!) we danced with Offcumduns and Bower Street Morris by the clock tower and then on Rose Lane, entertaining passers-by.

We then processed along the High Street and danced near Whitefriars, again taking it in turns with all the other Morris sides, culminating in one last mass dance.

We wended our way home smelling of the the sulphur of the hops, with sore feet but with happy smiles. A thoroughly fabulous day in the Autumnal sunshine with lots of our lovely Morris friends!