The 22nd August 2009 found us making our way towards the Hovertravel terminal in Ryde to join some 80+ Morris Men for a very exciting trip to the middle of the Solent to visit Bramble Bank.
If you’re a sailor, you’ll know Bramble Bank, or the Brambles, as a place to avoid. It’s a sandbar in the Solent that is so high that it’s exposed by low water spring tides.
The Men of Wight Morris dancing side, collectively being slightly mad, thought it would be a great idea to visit the Bramble Bank with visiting Morris sides from around the UK for a dance or three. Happily Hovertravel thought it sounded fun too, so donated the use of one of their hovercraft and the crew gave their time.
Electric atomosphere
The anticipation was high, not just from the Morris Men as they waited for the craft to arrive, but from us and the other passengers too. I mean, how often do you get to walk about in the middle of Solent?
It really was an amazing experience with all involved grinning from ear to ear. Standing on the bank watching the assembled throngs dancing made you feel that the world had gone mad — in a good way. It had the added benefit of all of the money raised went to charity.
Have a gander through the photos below, or jump to the videos from the event.
Videos
Snippets of video from the event …
