Two morris teams met at a country pub to show off their contrasting traditional dance styles.
Hurst Morris People, dance in Cotswold style and Maidenhead-based Taeppa’s Tump, is a North West morris team.
They had performed together just a few days earlier at Winchester Mayfest with hundreds of other dancers from across the south of England.
In a break from dancing at The Golden Ball pub in Pinkneys Green, Hurst Morris People’s squire (leader) Christine Taylor said:
“We perform the Cotswold morris style, with dances from Cotswold villages including Adderbury, Stanton Harcourt and Bampton.
“Dancers from different locations developed slightly different moves, ‘stepping’ in a different way, clashing sticks or waving handkerchiefs differently. Cotswold dancing has a flowing and leaping style.
“We wear white kit, with blue crossover baldricks, and flower-decorated straw hats.” They next dance, with Berkshire Bedlam, on June 5 at 8pm at The Wheelwright’s Arms, Hurst.
Helen May of Taeppa’s Tump said: “North West style of morris dancing has its roots in the industrial towns of the North West of England. Dances were mainly performed processing down cobbled streets, often during local holidays.
“The dancers mostly wore brightly coloured, fancy costumes and they danced in clogs. The dances were inclined to be quite precise, and often had a leader who kept the team together by the judicious use of a whistle.
“We continue in these traditions and style.” They will next perform at The George on the Green pub, Holyport on June 10 from 8pm, coincidentally also with the Berkshire Bedlam team.
Both sides hold taster sessions for dancers and musicians to have a go. Hurst Morris People’s are on September 18 and 25 at 8pm at Hurst Village Hall. The Taeppa’s Tump tasters will be at Furze Platt Memorial Hall in September. Details are at www.hurstmorris.org and www.taeppastump.co.uk
