'Last chance' to save town's Morris dancing group

There are hopes a Morris dancing group could be saved if new people join next month.

Furness Morris, based in Ulverston, Cumbria, recently warned it was in danger of folding after 62 years due to low numbers.

At a meeting on Friday, it was decided to organise two final sessions to try to attract new members.

"We are not exactly at the end of the road, but this is a bit of a last chance to try and recruit," said Les Ord, who has been with the band for 50 years.

"At the end of these two new sessions, if we don't attract anybody new, then that would probably be the end."

The events will take place in Ulverston in June, with dates and a venue due to be confirmed.

Mr Ord, who is the second longest-serving member of the group, said they were part of the community and it would be good to preserve the tradition.

Furness Morris was founded in 1963 and had 20 members in its prime.

That is now down to eight, with at least half a dozen new dancers needed to secure its future.

Everyone over 18 is welcome to join, with the group hoping to pass the baton on to younger people.

Mr Ord added the band could continue as a social activity without new recruits but would not be able play gigs, having had to turn down five so far this year due to a lack of numbers.

"We feel it's part of the heritage," he said. "We'd be quite happy to hand on the tradition if we got the right number of people to be able to do that."

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