A MORRIS dancer from Bournemouth has come up with a novel way of getting her regular dance fix during the current coronavirus lockdown.

Kathy Brickell, a dancer with Poole-based Anonymous Morris, had a eureka moment when she suggested a virtual online festival through Facebook group How Many Morris Dancers Are On Facebook?

The idea really took off, with the first Lone Morris Festival in March attracting dancers from all around the world.

Kathy said: “I was stunned at the reaction. It really took off. I suggested that as we couldn’t dance as teams, people try video themselves dancing alone at home on a certain date and upload it to Facebook.

“It was fantastic. Hundreds of Morris dancers from all over the country took part. In fact, it wasn’t just in Britain. Dancers from the United States, Canada. New Zealand, Australia and the Ukraine joined in, too.”

Inspired by success, Kathy proposed further virtual festivals, one which was held on St George’s Day and one to be held on May Day.

“Both of those days are massive in the Morris world,” she added.

“Lots of teams make a great effort to arrange events around these dates, so it’s been a real blow this year. People can’t meet up for practice, they can’t go out dancing and they are really missing it.”

Kathy, 55, who lives in Bournemouth, has been a member of the mixed border team for three years and under normal circumstances dancers and musicians would meet for practice every Thursday in Poole.

Kathy’s idea also generated extra funds for frontline workers, with nearly £500 raised for the NHS Together Charity.

“Someone on the Facebook group decided to make badges, fridge magnets and key rings to commemorate the first Lone Morris Festival,” she added.

“I was asked to name the charity which any profits from the sale of this merchandise would be sent to. It ended up that the grand total of £468.42 was raised.”

For the Lone Morris Festival go to Facebook page How Many Morris Dancers Are On Facebook?