WHAT ON EARTH IS MORRIS DANCING?
No one can be sure of its origins. The earliest references, dating from around 1500, are to royal entertainments. But we know that by 1700 Morris dancing had become a firmly established part of English life. Today there are well-known traditional Morris dance teams in the Cotswolds, the Welsh borders and in the north-west where the Morris is often danced in clogs. The earliest known reference to the Morris in Derbyshire is from Tideswell in 1797. The first mention of Morris in Winster dates from 1863 by which time we know that it was well-established in the village.
We welcome anyone who would like to join us for a dance. We dance the traditional Morris dances of Winster. We have both a men's and a women's team and we also dance as a mixed team of both men and women.
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THE MORRIS DANCES OF WINSTER
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This is it and that is it And this is Morris dancing The piper fell and he broke his neck And he said it was a chancer. You don't know and I don't know What fun we had at Brampton A roasted pig and a cuddled duck And a pudding in a lantern. |
THE WINSTER GALLOP
A polka - a classic English folk dance tune. We dance it in public and then get people in - 32 up has been known
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BLUE-EYED STRANGER
A great local favourite on Wakes day in Winster. Our dances were collected by Cecil Sharp when he visited the village in 1908
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WINSTER REEL
Like the four other dances noted by Sharp this dance is exclusive to Winster
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PROCESSIONAL
We dance in to this tune. Our full team comprises 16 dancers but all the dances can be performed with 8 or 12 people
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October 2020: Big Announcement!
We are pleased and proud to be able to announce that, in the recent Queen's birthday honours list, Ian Russell has been awarded an MBE. Ian is keen to point out that this is not for being a Morris dancer or a beer enthusiast (although he is both) but for services to Music and Cultural Tradition, including his research into English carols and his work with the Shetland Fiddlers' Society and the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention, of which Ian is both founder and president. You can find information about these two organisations online, and many of us are familiar with Ian's work in relation to the Derbyshire carol tradition.
Many congratulations to Ian (and to Norma who has supported Ian's work all through their years together) for this much-deserved recognition, and when the times allow we must share a glass or two of something appropriate in celebration.
Beer will be drunk and music played when the times are not out of joint.
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CONTACT USIf you would like to dance with us - get in touch with: RICHARD POWLEY Call: 01629 636994 Email: richard.powley@makepaper.net |