Saddleworth Women’s Morris and Clog

Saddleworth Women’s Morris and Clog are a new North West Morris and step clog side which started in January 2024. They practice at Denshaw Village Hall in Saddleworth each Wednesday evening.

The idea for the side came out of discussions on a local community facebook page in autumn 2023. However, 2 people who saw this were Lucy Marstin a former Wakefield Morris dancer, and Ed Worrall a dancer and musician with Saddleworth Morris Men. After they ran a whirlwind social media campaign locally in Saddleworth, we now have some 25+ active members!”

Ragged Oak

Ragged Oak are a woodland-dwelling gang of folk-dancer and musical performers who may appear on and around the ancient high-days & holidays at special sites and events across the country. They perform traditional and self-penned dances to connect you back to the seasons and local folklore,

especially of North Worcestershire, where they were found in 2018.

Ironmen and Severn Gilders

The Ironmen and Severn Gilders Established 1976 in the World Heritage town Ironbridge, Shropshire. They revived original local and ancient Morris dancing traditions and also created new ones. The Ironmen dance in Border Morris style with lively stepping and clashing of large sticks to tunes often bearing village names, like Wig Wig.

The Severn Gilders, named after painters of famous Coalport china, wave ribboned sticks, wearing clogs to dance in the tradition of North West Morris. Both sides form one team and enjoy performing at events both locally and nationally with their band

Anstey Morris Men

Anstey Morris Men were founded in 1983 in the village of Anstey in Leicestershire, soon earning a good reputation for their energetic stick dances. Since then we have performed a full programme throughout Spring and Summer, drawing on dances originating in the Cotswolds. We’ve developed a repertoire which incorporates an individual style while retaining traditional elements of the dances. We’re an eclectic bunch brought together by the delight and fun of Morris dancing and the appreciation of a good pint of beer.

Pennyroyal Garland Dancers

Pennyroyal are a group of enthusiastic folk dancers from North West Leicestershire performing traditional garland dances accompanied by our gifted acoustic band. We make a colourful display in our red and blue costumes and brightly coloured garlands.

We are delighted to be performing at Lichfield’s Dancing in the City again this year.

Shropshire Sharpshins

“I am of Shropshire, my shinnes be sharp”. We are Shropshire Sharpshins Rapper – the only rapper side in Shropshire! Look out for our quick feet, sharp wit, and chequered sashes as we move swiftly through the town, performing fast paced, intricate and, at times, acrobatic dances. May our shins be ever sharp.

Nancy Butterfly

Nancy Butterfly Morris Dancers were founded in Redditch, Worcestershire in 1980. Their style of dance, known as Northwest, originated in the Northern counties of England. It is traditional to wear clogs when dancing and name the dances after the villages and towns that they came from. They enjoy performing traditional dances and those they have choreographed themselves.

Mriya

The Ukrainian Folklore Dance Group “Mriya” was established in December 2023 in Birmingham by Ukrainian choreographer Yana Tishyna from Kyiv. The group now boasts 30 members, ranging in age from 6 to 28. Their motto, “Without culture, there is no nation,” reflects their dedication to showcasing the richness and generosity of the Ukrainian people through the beauty of their traditional dances.

Beggars’ Oak

Beggars’ Oak are based in Armitage, Staffordshire. We dance traditional folk dances from the North West of England, always accompanied by live music. We can be found at fetes, well dressings and other local events. We practice on Mondays 19.00 – 21.00 in Armitage Village Hall WS15 4UZ. New Dancers and musicians are always welcome.

Three Spires Morris

Three Spires Morris is a women’s north-west morris side who are proud to come from Lichfield. They take their name from the famous Cathedral and their red and gold kit is inspired by Lichfield’s colours. They have been dancing for over 40 years and you may have seen them dancing around Lichfield with sticks, garlands, bobbins and slings. They would love to welcome new members, and are a friendly group and it’s good fun so why not give it a go (see www.threespiresmorris.com).

T’Owd Man Morris

T’Owd Man Border Morris, dancing Morris with Attitude (in a border style) since 2020. T’Owd Man is the affectionate name given to the medieval bas-relief carving of a lead miner, currently found in St Mary’s Church, Wirksworth, Derbyshire and believed to be the earliest existing depiction of a miner. They wear tatters of black, silver and grey to pay homage to the lead mining heritage of our local area.

Castle Clog

We are a friendly group of Step Clog dancers who meet in Stourbridge each week. We dance out throughout the year at a variety of events. We welcome new members. No experience is necessary, just enthusiasm and a sense of fun. We dance a variety of traditions and are open to new challenges

Glorishears of Brummagem

Glorishears of Brummagem are North Birmingham’s premier Morris side. They will be dancing Cotswold style Morris at the festival this year in their blue kits . The kit features the Badge Of Birmingham symbolising the city’s industrial heritage and paying homage to its famous jewellery quarter. On other occasions they can be seen performing molly dances from the fen country and stick dances from the Welsh borders, under the name of Brummie Gems Molly. Glorishears welcomes women of all ages to learn to dance with them More information can be found at www.glorishears.co.uk

Leek Morris

Leek Morris can be easily recognised by our stripey socks. We perform dances mainly in the Cotswold tradition. Our first recorded dance out was in 2011 at Meerbrook Village Fete when the son shone for us.

Chinewrde

Chinewrde Morris Dancers, based in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, have been dancing North West Morris for over 40 years. We are renowned for our dance style of high-energy and precision, as well as our distinctive burgundy dresses which have had a revamp for the 2020s! With up to thirty dancers from late-teens to their 70s processing synchronously in clogs, we create a memorable spectacle. Our accomplished band of musicians encompass squeezeboxes and drums, supplemented by brass and woodwind, lifting the dancers through our performances. Listen out for tinkling bells and clog-irons striking stone floors; watch out for whirling ribbons and high-flying clogs!

Lichfield Regency Dancers

We are a small friendly group specialising in dances from the Regency period some of which have been seen in films like Pride and Predjudice. There are opportunities to take part in displays and attend Regency balls for members who would like to.

Our meetings are on the first and third Monday of the month at Curbourgh Community Centre, Lichfield new members are welcome the first session being free and then £6 per session per person.

Bakanalia Border Morris 

Bakanalia Border Morris are a mixed Border Morris side based in Leicestershire who dance for pleasure and aim to preserve and develop the border morris tradition by entertaining and encouraging others to be involved.

Foxs Morris

We wear mainly red and green as these were the colours of the school uniform at the time.

Foxs Morris perform dances in the ‘Border’ Morris style. This is apt given our proximity to the border with Wales and many of our dances come from Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire.

Uttoxeter – Heart of Oak Morris with Stafford Morris

Both Uttoxeter Heart of Oak and Stafford Morris are Cotswold Morris sides and can be seen frequently dancing together.

More dance sides to be announced!