North West Morris
North West morris dancing is from Lancashire, Greater Manchester, and Cheshire and is usually performed in sets of 8 dancers, although sets of 6 to 12 or even more are not unusual.
Dances were originally processional, moving through the streets of the local town or village.
The dancers often wear wooden clogs with rubber or occasionally iron shods, sometimes with bells on.
The dances are characterised by regimented and precise figures. Nowadays they dance with the distinctive cross polka step or ‘rant’ and high kicks.
Severn Gilders
Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival, Cambridgeshire 2012
Photo: Sue Swift
