Dartmoor Border Morris dancing Porlock 2024

This dance was written by members of Exmoor Border Morris, who gifted us this dance. It tells the story of how in 1899, a merchant vessel was in danger, & because of the extreme bad weather, it was too dangerous to launch the lifeboat. So the decision was taken to drag the 10 ton lifeboat with horses & around 20 men, 13 miles over Countisbury hill ( 434 metres above sea level) & launch from Porlock Weir. This was done at night while the storm raged on, & a garden wall had to be removed. The 18 crew members of the stricken ship were all saved & after a full 24 hours of pulling, shoving & rowing in heavy seas. This dance commemorates that fine achievement.