A GROUP of borough Morris dancers will perform an age-old celebration in Arborfield this week.
Bracknell-based OBJ Morris’s dancing team will take part in a Wassailing.
The event at Henry Street Garden Centre will include singing, dancing, the crowning of a Wassail king and queen, and a blessing of the apple tree.
OBJ Morris is a friendly, Border Morris dancing team known for its energetic, traditional English folk dances.
The mixed gender group (or side, as they are known) welcomes beginners from all parts of the borough, and focuses on fun, community, and keeping traditions alive.
Practicing through the winter OBJ members perform at pubs and festivals during the warmer months, including at Wokingham’s May Fair.
The group’s musicians play a variety of un-amplified instruments, including melodeons, concertinas, violins, and drums.
“You don’t need any prior experience of morris or dancing to join OBJ,” said a representative, “just a normal level of fitness, and some careful warming up.
“We’ll find a way of getting you dancing – different people learn in different ways and at different speeds, so we’ll figure out what works for you.
“Our music is a mixture of traditional tunes, other genres, and recent compositions, adapted to fit our dances.
“We’d like to expand our ‘band’ and add some new sounds – particularly with some brass instruments.
“We have a nice green pBone just waiting for someone to take it on.”
The group meets at Jennetts Park Community Centre on Tuesdays at 8pm, 6/1/2026 8:00pm.
Their Wassailing celebration will take place at Henry Street Garden Centre, on Sunday, January 11, at noon.
For information about the group, visit:
http://www.obj.org.uk/
