If you’ve been out and about in Buckinghamshire over the summer you may have come across local Morris dancers and noticed that something is changing. It’s no longer a requirement of most Morris sides that members have big beards and a pewter pint-pot. Women and young people are playing an increasingly important part in keeping this centuries-old tradition going.
Owlswick Morris, now based near Buckingham, was one of the first sides to welcome female dancers. The side was founded in 1982 by six friends, former Morris men, who practised at the Shoulder of Mutton in Owlswick, South Bucks. In 1985 women joined them and after 40 years the mixed side still flourishes as a sociable all-age group, dancing in the Cotswold tradition, supported by the irresistible music of squeezeboxes, flute, drums and the occasional banjo or fiddle.
What, though, is Morris all about? No-one really knows.Maybe the sticks symbolised animal and human fertility or the weapons used in hand-to-hand fighting; maybe the bells and hankies were intended to scare away evil spirits. Maybe Morris (“Moorish”?) came to the medieval English court from Africa and was adopted by villagers who put their regional stamp on the movements, costumes and music. Records show that by 1557 “Morrys-Daunsars” were receiving food and drink for dancing at Whitsun. Donations from the audience often supplemented agricultural wages in the following centuries - nowadays charities benefit from anything put into the hat.
Sides like Owlswick still get involved in traditional celebrations: orchard wassailing in January, spring’s arrival on May 1st, and Mummers’ Plays at Christmas, but they’re also active at pubs, folk festivals and community events throughout the year.
It’s good fun and brilliant exercise. Owlswick’s winter practices, on Tuesday evenings, are just beginning, so this is the perfect time to see if Morris (or step clog, another speciality of the side) is for you. Musicians also welcome!
Contact Penny on 07721068449 or email owlswick.morris@gmail.com
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The Angela Rippon's Let's Dance initiative saw us dancing out early this year, and the weather was absolutely gorgeous at outside Bicester Garden Centre.
Video of the end of our Shepherds Hey dance at Bicester Garden Centre 2025.
Some photos from the day:
One more video from the day's dancing and a fitting
May Day At The Rollright Stones
Some photos (can also be found on Facebook here).
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