WEST Devon?s Tinners Morris side tasted TV fame this weekend as part of their first foray out of the county. The men?s dance group was only established two years ago by Mike Palmer ? but regular practice and several local performances paid off for the fourteen-strong side and their musicians when they were invited to appear at this year?s Royal Cornwall Show. Guv?nor Mike said: ?It was a fantastic weekend - we danced alongside French sides and Cornish dancers ? it was make or break for us really, but the side really turned up their performance on the day.? Mike also runs the well-established ladies? Morris side Cogs and Wheels, who were entertaining at the show for their third time. Tinners did a half-hour stage performance at the show on the Friday, and took part in the grand parade, as well as staging various impromptu dances around the showground throughout the weekend. The highlight of the event, though, was when BBC Devon?s spotlight programme asked them to dance live on camera as a prelude to the evening weather forecast. Dancer Bev Hilton said: ?We had a whale of a time. The enthusiasm at the show was amazing. It was so much fun.? The next chance to see both sides performing will be in the square at Drewsteignton on July 17.
