Appearing at the Festival and around time will be:
Saturday
Priston Jubilee Morris
Somerset Morris
Billy No Mates
Rag Morris
Hips and Haws
Bathampton Morris Men
Sunday
Rag Morris
White Horse Morris
Mr Wilkins' Shilling
City Clickers
Cam Valley Morris
PRISTON JUBILEE MORRISMEN
Morris-spotters description: Men's Cotswold
Priston Jubilee Morris is a men’s Cotswold Morris side that has been entertaining the locals both far and wide since 1977. Our group began in commemoration of Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee and 35 years on we’re still 'alive and sticking'. We are based in the village of Priston (BA2 9EE), approximately 5 miles southwest of Bath, and perform regularly in and around the surrounding areas. We practise at Priston Village Hall on Monday nights from 8.00 to 9.30pm, before retiring to the Ring o’ Bells for a drink and tall tales. Beginners, experienced dancers and musicians are all welcomed.
SOMERSET MORRIS
Morris-spotters description: Women side dancing Cotswold & Somerset Stave
Somerset Morris is based in the Bath & Bristol area. Somerset Morris perform Cotswold Morris dances which come from the villages of Kirtlington (Oxon), Bampton (Oxon) and Ilmington (Worcs). They also perform a set of unusual dances which originate from the Friendly Societies. These self-help societies were based in the villages and were at their most active during the 19th century. The information on the dances they performed was discovered in society minute books.
BILLY NO MATES
Morris-spotters description: Solo Cotswold & Border: 1 Man + 1 Musician
RAG MORRIS
Morris-spotters description: Mixed Cotswold and Border
We are the Morris dance team attached to the University of Bristol and we have one of the longest continuous University connections in the country. Though some of our members are non-students or ex-students, Rag Morris are an officially recognised society of the University of Bristol Students' Union. 2012 marks our 31st Anniversary.
Rag Morris has acquired its own inimitable style over the last thirty years - energetic, colourful, comic, a bit 'off-the-wall' and certainly never boring. We wear brilliantly coloured 'rag shirts' and bell ribbons. Our repertoire comes from the dances of the Cotswold Hills and the wild Welsh Borders, and we dance with sticks, hankies, bare hands and plastic chickens, to the accompaniment of fiddles, melodeons, accordions, whistles and drums and our faithful horse called Rags.
HIPS AND HAWS
Morris-spotters description: Ladies North West side dancing in clogs
Hips and Haws are a female North West Clog morris dance side who perform dances in the North West and step dancing traditions, as well as a selection choreographed by their own members. We meet in Biddestone near Chippenham every Monday evening unless we are out dancing at a local pub enjoying their hospitality! During the year we may be seen at local fetes and national festivals and very occasionally abroad!
BATHAMPTON MORRIS MEN
Morris-spotters description: Men's Cotswold
We are a Cotswold Morris Dance group, distinguished by a red belt and baldric over a white shirt and trousers. The red baldric bears the symbol of Chaucer's Wyf of Bath on the front and rear, surrounded by a yellow rosette. Bathampton is a small village by the Kennet and Avon Canal on the outskirts of Bath in North Somerset. The side was founded in 1934 by a Bathampton village school teacher. Since then we have provided years of continuous dancing in the area.
WHITE HORSE MORRIS
Morris-spotters description: Mixed Border and Cotswold
White Horse Morris Men were formed in 1950/51 and were originally from the Warminster, Wiltshire area. Our symbol is based on the pre 1778 Westbury White Horse, a survivor of prehistoric times which forms part of our kit. Over the years we developed a reputation as an excellent dance side offering dances from a range of mainly Cotswold traditions. We have toured extensively in the United Kingdom and in Europe.In September 2011 the side became mixed and changed its name to White Horse Morris, and now offer a range of Border and Cotswold Dances. We continue to dance energetically and with fun!
MR WILKINS' SHILLING
Style: Ladies’ Northwest
Mr Wilkins’ Shilling is a Ladies’ Northwest Morris side based in Bath that has been in existence for over twenty years. We practice every Thursday evening at Batheaston Methodist Church Hall and dance at fetes and festivals, including a charity Christmas dance-out in Bath city centre, with Chippenham, Sidmouth and Swanage being among our favourite venues. We have around eight musicians, affectionately known as “The Bobsworth Band”. We had our first change of kit three years ago and now wear black and red skirts, white blouses with a sash, black stockings and clogs, and flowery hats. We have a close association with the Widcombe Mummers, dancing at their play in Bath city centre on St George’s Day and playing in their procession on New Year’s Day.
CITY CLICKERS
Style: Mixed clog and step dance
City Clickers are a group of dancers based in Bristol who have been dancing together as a group for about eight years. We perform clog and step dances from various parts of Northern England, Wales and from Scotland. We also perform step dances from Canada: from Quebec, the Ottawa Valley, and we have a particular interest in the step-dancing of Cape Breton island which is currently undergoing a major revival in Scotland. Most of our members have been involved in step dancing and other traditional dance forms for many years and we have brought that experience and knowledge together to make a vibrant, dazzling dance performance.
CAM VALLEY MORRIS MEN
Morris-spotters description: Men's Cotswold
Formed in 1981 we are traditional Cotswold Morris dancers based at the Hunter’s Lodge at Priddy, we practice on a Tuesday evening throughout the winter and spring and we are always looking for new members, young or not so young. We dance in all white clothing with green and blue baldrics symbolising the Cam Valley supplemented by various items of apparel depending on the weather. The side is noted for its energetic dance style and enthusiastic sticking. We often have guest members of other teams joining us when we dance out.