The Forest of Dean will be full of Morris Dancers this weekend, Saturday June 9th and Sunday, June 10th, when the 47th Annual Morris Festival takes place. For the first time this year there will be mixed side of men and women.

The sides taking part this year are: Anker Morris (Nuneaton), Cardiff Morris, Clocs Canton (Cardiff), England’s Glory (Cheltenham), Full Moon (South Wales), Lady Bay Revellers (Nottingham), Leeds Morris, Leicester Morris, Mersey Morris, Natty Jacks (Southport), Southport Swords, Wimberry Clog (Forest of Dean) and Forest of Dean Morris.

On Saturday the event wil start with a Massed Display at Coleford Town Centre at 10am. Then the sides will split into three separate groups and tour the Forest of Dean and surrounding areas.

This includes a visit to The Inn on The Wye, Kerne Bridge, at 1pm, The Yew Tree Inn, Peterstow, at 3pm and at 4.30pm The Hope and Anchor Inn, Ross-on-Wye.

There will be a chance to see the Massed displays on Sunday morning at The Dean Heritage Centre.