THIS year is the 50th Anniversary of Taunton Deane Morris Men and to celebrate they have numerous events organised.

On Monday April 1st at Vivary Park in Taunton at 10am, the Taunton Deane Morris Men will launch their half century year by dancing by the band stand for about 40 minutes.

The Mayor of Taunton Council will formally welcome them and will hold the Simnel cake when the group perform the cake dance.

A crab apple tree has been planted in Vivary Park as well.

Then at 12.30pm, the group will be at the Village Hall in Norton Fitzwarren where they will be again joined by the Mayor, who after lunch will unveil a plaque depicting the fact that the venue was used for their practices for many years.

On Tuesday, June 25 at Hambridge Primary School in the evening, the group will visit as part of a study period into their history.

Hambridge School are studying the history of their village during the summer term and this year is the centenary of Cecil Sharp's death.

He began his study of folk music when he was visiting his friend, the vicar in Hambridge.

Taunton Deane Morris Men will have visited the school prior to the 26th June and taught a few children a Morris Dance, which they will perform with Taunton Deane Morris on 25th June.