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For the first time in almost 40 years, the Jersey Lillies won’t be dancing across the island for May Day. Instead, they are continuing the tradition online.
The all-female Morris dancing group have released a compilation video showing members of the group dancing from their homes.
The Jersey Lillies traditionally mark May Day by performing in every parish in Jersey, starting at 06:00 and finishing at 18:00.
Although they say that there is, admittedly, no history of Morris dancing in the Channel Islands, the group have been around for close to 40 years.
Instead of their island tour, the group recorded themselves dancing the Plymouth Reel to the tune Soldier’s Joy.
Video: The Jersey Lillies perform the Plymouth Reel to mark May Day.
Secretary of the group, Anne Southern, told Express: “We have been doing the Plymouth Reel for many years, having learnt it from The Plymouth Maids. We chose this dance as it requires very little contact.”
“Stick dancing was out!” she added.
The group’s fiddler, Shelley, provided the music for everyone to dance to, and their newest member, Sarah, meticulously edited the video together.
The Jersey Lillies recorded a dance for Jersey Heritage’s spring festival, Fête du R’nouvé, which took place last weekend, and the group are now in the process of recording a 'hankie dance' for St. Helier’s Liberation celebrations.
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