New village residents treated to old English tradition

Residents at Linden Homes’ Greenhill House development on the outskirts of Adderbury village were treated to an impromptu visit from local Morris dancers this month, following the developer’s decision to help sponsor a blue plaque dedicated to historic Morris champion, Janet Blunt. 

The public unveiling of the plaque in Adderbury village took place at the end of September, and in order to show their appreciation for Linden’s support, the Adderbury Morris Men danced their way into Greenhill House this month to help mark the opening of a brand new showhome at the development.

Janet Blunt was a key campaigner for local folk traditions who lived in Adderbury in the late 1800s at a time when Morris dancing had become obsolete. However, the tradition was revived in 1974, thanks to the writings of Blunt and fellow folklorist Cecil Sharp, during her time in Adderbury. Linden Homes sponsored the blue plaque, installed at Le Hall Place, where Janet Blunt lived up until her death in 1950, to help the village to uphold this heritage, commemorated each year as part of its annual Morris festivities.

In addition to the blue plaque in Adderbury Village, further homage has been paid to Janet Blunt at Linden Homes’ local Greenhill House development, where one of the apartment buildings has been officially named ‘Janet Blunt House’.

Edd Frost of the Adderbury Village Morris Men, commented:

“We were delighted to accept a very generous donation from Linden Homes towards Adderbury’s first Oxfordshire Blue Plaque, honouring Janet Heatley Blunt. The Adderbury Morris tradition was revived in the mid 1970’s thanks to Ms Blunt’s great efforts recording local folk song and dances from the working people of the village.

“We are very pleased that Linden Homes were kind enough to support our cause in acknowledging Ms Blunt’s role in preserving the now ‘world renowned’ Adderbury Morris Tradition, and are delighted that her stature in the local Adderbury community is considered such that a Linden Homes building has been named after her some 59 years later!”

Nick Champness, Sales & Marketing Director of Linden Homes Chiltern, comments:

“As one of the newest residents in Adderbury we were delighted to welcome the local Morris Men to Greenhill House. They represent the oldest of English village traditions and we are proud to have been able to play a part in helping to uphold the heritage within the local community.”

For details of Linden Homes’ Greenhill House development, off Banbury Road in Adderbury, visit lindenhomes.co.uk. Set in four acres of mature grounds there is a range of two bedroom apartments available, priced from £164,950.