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On May Bank Holiday Monday, Whitstable awoke to rain and puddles and the annual May Day Celebrations looked to be in danger of becoming a damp affair.

However, by 10 am, the Gods had started to smile and the sun was shining on an event that rivals any in the South East. After dancing outside the Library, the procession made it's way through the town centre.... led by the Oyster Morris Women....

And the first "port of call" was the Horsebridge....

..... for some more dancing. 

And this is where I start to have a problem. This year, no fewer than eleven Morris "sides" were scheduled to appear. So, if I get any of the names wrong, please let me know! I would also apologise to any that I have missed out in our photo sequences. To be honest, I lost track of which ones I had photographed! 

Anyway, I am pretty certain that this colourful "side" are the East Kent Morris...

  East Kent Morris

Developments at the Horsebridge have removed the open space opposite the Prince Albert pub and dancing now takes place on the concrete boat ramp at the beach. 

We do still have the sea wall, of course.... allowing the traditional procession along the narrow rim. The group below aren't Wolves supporters leaving Molineux after another failure to reach the premiership. I am confident that they are the Wansum Morris from Canterbury...  

Wantsum Morris negotiate the sea wall

And there are no identification problems with the people below. They are the local Oyster Morris women....

Oyster Morris Women

One of the great things about the Oyster Morris is that they make photography easy....

Oyster Morris

.... particularly when some of them have just emerged from the Pearsons.

Of course, dancing needs music and there is always plenty of it with each Morris side providing its own musicians. This trio has been supporting the Oyster Morris and entertaining the town for some years..... 

The Oyster Musicians

Now, correct me if I am wrong but I am going to suggest that they are the Oyster Musicians and include Peter Darby, Ray Sprawson and Mary Starrs.

Fortunately, Emma Darby has written from Canterbury to name the next side. It's Kit's Coty from Maidstone.... 

Kit's Coty from Maidstone

Emma was one of the Oyster Morris dancers on May Monday and she has supplied names for several of our other photographs.

With so many participants, it was possible to move into "stereo mode". Thus, while the Oyster Morris men were occupying centre stage at the Horsebridge,.... 

... several groups were performing on the Sea Wall roadway at Reeves beach. This included the guys of Wansum Morris... 

... and regular May Monday visitors - the women Maenads of Maidstone....

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From the Simply Whitstable Web Site