Back in 1967, Oxford City Morris came to dance in Towersey for the first Towersey Village Festival and some local youths made fun of them.
The Oxford City squire at the time, Denis Manners, responded by challenging them to learn to dance the morris.
They took up the challenge and Denis, who lived in Towersey at the time, taught them Cotswold Morris dances. From this Towersey Morris was formed.
Over the intervening years Denis has maintained his interest in the side, frequently coming out to support us. Denis (right) is pictured with John Wilson outside our favorite watering hole The Three Horseshoes, Towersey.
In 2001, Denis's contribution to the Britain was recognised when he was awarded the MBE. Eschewing the pomp of Buckingham Palace, he elected to have it presented in Thame Town Hall by the Lord Leutenant of Oxfordshire.