Hexham Morrismen

The Morris is England’s oldest surviving dance tradition. For at least five and a half centuries (perhaps much longer), it has been performed to welcome the spring, and to mark the turning of the year at midsummer and midwinter. One version of it was danced in Hexham until the 19th century, when - like many other rural customs - it fell into decline.

A local revival began in November 1976, at the Royal Hotel. Only a few dancers attended the inaugural practice, but numbers increased through the winter. Although most of the recruits were novices, Paul Tabbush, the team’s first “Squire”, got them up to a satisfactory standard for their inaugural performance. Thereafter, the Hexham men’s grey top hats and blue waistcoats became a familiar sight at Northumbrian events like the Morpeth Gathering and Ovingham Goose Fair.

Since 1990, they have travelled further afield, to northern folk festivals like Holmfirth and Whitby, and to southern ones like Warwick, Chippenham and Towersey and Sidmouth.

The Hexham Morrismen have earned an excellent reputation for their dancing and are now established as one of the best Cotswold Morris Dance teams in the North. In their costume of whites with individually embroidered blue waistcoats and grey top hats Hexham Morrismen perform a full and varied programme throughout the season. The team also perform border and rapper dances.

They dance at many events up and down the country and on Thursday evenings during the summer can often be seen dancing outside (and sometimes inside) a number of public houses. (check the diary for times and places). They are frequent travellers abroad and have represented the UK at many international festivals most recently The Azores in 2007.

During the winter months The Morrismen meet on Thursdays from 8-10pm in The Moot Hall, Hexham. New members are always welcome to join our winter practice sessions, no previous experience is necessary but energy, a sense of rhythm and enthusiasm are a must.

It’s a strenuous, but very rewarding activity. Come and try it - if you think you’re fit enough!