An English Ceilidh

English sailors returning from Spain brought the original form of Morris dance to England. They travelled via France, across the English channel and up the River Thames and introduced it to the court of Henry VIII at Hampton Court Palace. The dance then spread across the country with different regions developing their own distinct style.

Morris dancing is just one of the English traditions celebrated at An English Ceilidh - the first event of this year's Coin Street Festival. Alongside Morris "sides" demonstrating Cotswold Morris, Sword dancing and clog dancing, is a music stage featuring Hekety with their mix of traditional and self-penned English dance music; the energetic sounds of Gig CB (musicians from classic bands Rosbif and Gas Mark 5); and Boka Halat founded by Roger Watson and Musa Mboob with their fusing of traditional English dance tunes with the music of Gambia and Senegal. There is plenty of opportunity to jig along.

Arts, crafts & family activities

Wood turning, blacksmithing, stone carving, willow weaving, spinning, bee-keeping & honey making are just some of the arts and crafts on display and being demonstrated. Families get the opportunity to take a lesson in May-pole dancing while children from Hillmead Primary School in Brixton, demonstrate how it should be done!

Food from Britain

To open the eyes of food lovers to the range of superb food and drink being produced in this country, Food from Britain brings producers from the length and breadth of Britain to display and sell mouth-watering cheeses, chutneys, jams, wine, beer, cakes and chocolate and a Hog Roast.