The Traditions We Dance

In the early days, Leeds Morris Men danced Longsword and Rapper as well as Cotswold Morris, but in recent decades the club has focused almost exclusively on the dances of the Cotswolds. We have tended to specialise in Sherborne, Field Town and Bledington. Other traditions we have studied include Adderbury, Ascott-under-Wychwood, Badby, Bampton, Brackley, Bucknell, Ducklington, Headington, Hinton, Ilmington, Lichfield, Oddington and Wheatley.

Over the years the side has taken the view that the distinguishing characteristics of the traditions become blurred if too many are attempted at once. We therefore usually dance between two and four traditions at any one time, changing about half of them each year.

We appoint a foreman to teach each tradition we study who then makes a detailed investigation of the available sources while preparing to teach the dances. Foremen usually produce detailed notes covering the provenance and sources for the dances. Members of other clubs interested in seeing these notes are invited to email contact@leedsmorris.org.uk

In 2008-09 we concentrated on the dances from Ascott-under-Wychwood, Brackley and Hinton in the Hedges. We shall retain a few of these in our repertoire for 2009-10 which will mainly comprise the dances from Oddington, Wheatley and Ducklington.

Jockey to the Fair, Brackley, danced in the Market Place, Settle during the 2004 Dales Tour

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Last updated 10 March 2010