New Oswestry Dark Morris side finds home at village pub
New folk dance group to keep Border Morris tradition alive in Oswestry
A new Border Morris dancing group is being launched in Oswestry, with its first meeting set to take place next month.
Oswestry Dark Morris has found a permanent base at The Last Inn in Upper Hengoed, where members will meet and practise in the pub's function room.
Founder Mike Lade thanked the venue's owners for their support.
"We are so grateful to Libby Jones and her dad Chris Jones of The Last Inn for allowing us to use their magnificent function room for our meetings and practice sessions," he said.
"It has everything we need and we have the bar as a bonus."
The group's first get-together will take place on August 5.
Oswestry Dark Morris will perform Border Morris - a lively and energetic style of traditional English folk dance that originated in the border counties of Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
Unlike some other forms of Morris dancing, Border Morris is known for stick-clashing rather than handkerchief waving, simple stepping to music, colourful tattered costumes and faces disguised with masks or grease paint.
The tradition dates back to Tudor times, when agricultural labourers are believed to have performed during the winter months to earn extra money. Today, mixed-gender Border Morris sides perform at pubs, folk festivals and community events across the UK, helping to keep the tradition alive.
The new Oswestry group is looking to recruit dancers aged 16 and over, with no previous experience necessary. It is also inviting musicians who play instruments such as the flute, tin whistle, fiddle, guitar, banjo, accordion, concertina, recorder or drums to get involved.
In addition to dancers and musicians, the group is also welcoming supporters, known as "followers", who can join in by wearing the group's distinctive costume and accompanying performances.
Anyone interested in joining Oswestry Dark Morris can contact Mike Lade on 07803 038858, via the group's Facebook page, Oswestry Dark Morris, or by email at [email protected].