WEST Devon morris side Dartmoor Border Morris are seeking to recruit more dancers for an already busy pre-season. ?Now is a good time to join, with time available to learn some exciting and innovative Border Morris dances,? said team squire, Steve Newland. ?Morris dancing is an enjoyable, sociable and fun activity and we pride ourselves on being a friendly family side. ?We enjoy music and have several strong singers of traditional folk in the side? he added. On Old Twelfth Night (January 17) Dartmoor Border entertained at the Buckland Abbey Wassail with their traditional dancing and an appropriate song called ?Dead Dog Scrumpy?. Delicious apple cake and mulled cider from abbey staff were eagerly sampled, before Dartmoor Border led the wassailers to the orchard. Here, to ensure a healthy crop of apples for the coming season, libations of cider were poured over the roots of trees, toast was twigged into branches to bribe the birds not to peck the forthcoming buds and the trunks were rapped with sticks to stir up the sap. A great tumultuous noise was then made with pots, pans, rattles and whistles and shotguns fired off to waken the trees from their winter slumber. ?Wassailing is just one of the many customs that we are involved with,? said Steve. Dartmoor Border Morris is an established and reliable side available for local fetes and events throughout the summer. Members practice in Meavy Village Hall from 7.30pm on Wednesdays . Enthusiastic musicians and dancers, women and men of all abilities are very welcome. Children are also encouraged to take part. For more information contact Steve on 01822 610412 or Lis Richards (Bagman) 01822 853850. or visit the website: www. dartmoorbordermorris. com