In My Spare Time...North West Morris Dancing
| Published: 7th October 2008 22:07 |
Mention Morris dancing, and what do you think of? Men in white trousers and flowery hats, waving hankies or clashing sticks? Somewhat precarious exercise on the bonnet of a small car? Girls on tiptoes marching in lines?
Well, that's a part of it - ok, maybe not the car - but morris, England's traditional dancing, comes in many shapes and forms. The blackened faces and exuberant leaping of Border morris, complex weavings of rapper and longsword dances, mumming, the familiar whites of Cotswold morris - and those in the know will tell you about subdivisions and variations within those groups, as well as others I haven't mentioned. And, living so close to Abbots Bromley, I'm sure you know of the Horn dance, perhaps the oldest traditional dance in the country.
North West morris is characterised by brightly coloured costume, a strong rhythmic beat, oh yes, and clogs. As you might guess from the name, it has its origins in the mill towns of North West England, although you can find sides (groups of dancers and musicians) throughout the country and further afield. Clogs, long lasting and practical, were worn by mill workers, both men and women, and the paved streets of the developing towns were ideal for dancing.
The earliest dances were processional, and often formed part of local celebrations such as Rush gathering, the annual replacement of the rushes covering the church floor. Each area had its own dance, generally a chorus move "up streets" to progress and simple figures called out by the foreman, accompanied by live music, and a steady drum beat.
Nowadays, although most sides still use at least one processional dance, most dances remain in place with a fixed sequence of figures, but the foreman's call is still vital. North West morris is very much a living tradition - some dances are directly based on the old processional ones, some are heavily adapted and new ones are developed.
I have been dancing with Beggars' Oak, a North West morris side based in Armitage, for about four years now. It's a fantastic hobby - inexpensive, good exercise and great fun, and I've loved it since I started. I'm a relative newcomer; some members have been with the side since it was formed 25 years ago! Our newest member joined just a few months ago and will have made her first public appearance by the time you read this.
In spring and summer, we can often be found at fetes, well-dressings, and other local events. Bright green dresses and our accompanying band (melodeon players, drummer, guitar, whistle and others) ensure we rarely go unnoticed! If you've been to Abbots Bromley late on Horns day, you'll have seen us there. If not, why not come along and watch this year, Monday September 8th from around 7pm, when Beggars' Oak and other local morris sides dance until the Horn dancers return to the Village green.
We meet every Monday, and throughout October we will be holding open evenings where visitors are welcome to come and watch, chat to us, have a go at the dances, and enjoy a soft drink and some nibbles afterwards.
Although our current dancers are all women, the North West tradition developed with male and female dancers, and we welcome both. No experience necessary, and no need to worry about making mistakes. Even the most experienced of us occasionally forget which way to go, but we smile and carry on, and usually catch up again before long. And if we don't, there's always next time. We work to learn the dances, and we do like to get them right, but our priority is to enjoy ourselves and to put on a display that people enjoy watching.
If you're interested in the music, our musicians would be delighted to talk to you, demonstrate their favourite tunes and welcome anyone interested in joining them.
For more information, speak to any member of Beggars' Oak, visit our website at www.beggars-oak.org.uk or phone Beryl on 01283 791303
Written by Sally Fawcett
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