Early morning shoppers were treated to some traditional Morris dancing in Grayshott Village Square last Saturday as three teams stopped off on their way to the Pilgrim Folk Weekend at Thursley.

The Pilgrim Morris Men (pictured above) who are based in Guildford and 'supported' by the Hogs Back Brewery in Tongham performed some olde Cotswold village dances to get proceedings underway. One of their members, Headley Councillor Richard Clifford, had arranged the very welcome visit to Grayshott.

Windsor Morris joined the fray in their sparkiling white kit emblazened by green, red and yellow rosettes and ribbons. The longest established women's Morris team in Berkshire they were kept in order by their 'fool' sporting a Round Tower Hat.

Finally Cheshire based Poynton Jemmers in their blue and white checked dresses, white aprons and red sashes and headscarves performed 19th and 20th century dances from the North West.

The jolly bands that accompanied the dancers, with the rhythm of clogs on paving and the clacking of wood on wood, kept feet tapping as shoppers looked on and perhaps gave inspiration to Mike Pennick who was getting nowhere fast on his bike as he prepares for the Barnardo's Borneo Challenge.

Grayshott Village Square has seen a noticeable increase in all sorts of activities since it was brought out of private ownership by Grayshott Parish Council. The Grayshott Square Group, set up to explore proposals to refurbish the square, has also organised a number of popular events including Pancake races and St George's Day Tea Party and fundraising themed lunches 'Party in the Piazza', 'Paella in the Plaza' . The next event is Plat du Jour Dans le Place on Sunday 14th September, with a three course french lunch provided by Village Kitchen Caterers and tickets are now on sale at Grayshott Books.

The Square refurbishment project has been given a boost as it has been accepted into the Hampshire Country Towns Initiative Programme and has been awarded £20,000 out of this year's budget. The award also includes the services of a landscape architect, to draw up plans, conduct surveys and provide costings to enable the seeking of further funding. The Square Group are also very hopeful of a substantial award from next year's budget and are currently awaiting confirmation of this. The Initiative are now anticipating the installation of the scheme late summer/autumn 2009.

More photos of the day can be viewed on the grayshott gallery.

For more information please contact squaregroup@grayshott.com