Morris Dancing

Pebworth Morris

Cotswold sides think we’re Border, Border sides think we’re Cotswold…

A men’s side formed in 1979, now based at the Fleece Inn, Pebworth Morris practice on a Friday night at 8.30 in the barn, when not dancing out during the summer. During the winter months practice is often followed by impromptu music session. The Fleece Inn often finds itself filled with sound of bells ringing and sticks knocking.

Formed at The Masons Arms in Pebworth, the side were taught (very kindly) their first few dances by the Traditional Ilmington Morris Men. The first dance out was 16th June 1979 to mark the 25th anniversary of Pebworth Village Hall.

Pebworth dance a mix of traditions, including Border, Cotswold, Lichfield, Vale and Pebworth. Any dances that require fiddly moves are altered to suit their “robust” style, or dropped from the repertoire.

Belle d’Vain

Belle d’Vain are a ladies morris dancing side who dance Northwest Clog Morris in and around the Vale of Evesham. The side was conceived during the annual beer festival at the the Fleece Inn, by the wives and daughters of Pebworth Morris men.

They dance North West Morris dances, wearing clogs as worn by the mill workers in the mills of Lancashire Yorkshire and Cheshire. Many of our dances are named after locations in these areas: Alderley Edge, Goostrey, New Mills, Colne, Millbrook.

Asum Gras Molly (retired)

Asum Gras Molly were a Molly side formed in January 2013 and made up of members from various other local Cotswold and Northwest sides.

Their name derives from “Asum” being the colloquial local name for the town of Evesham and “Gras” which is short for Asparagus – the vegetable for which the Vale of Evesham is famed for producing.

Other sides that can often be found strutting their stuff (or at the bar) are Fox’s Morris, Aelfgythe Border Morris, Jockey Morris and Adlington Morris.