By the mid 1980s, Woodside had become a well established member of the Morris Ring, performing dances of the Cotswold traditions, having also flirted with Rapper Sword dancing on a few brief occasions. In addition, a few of the longer serving members felt that it was time to develop dances that were more specific to Woodside - though keeping it within the Cotswold style.
The result is that Woodside now dance a wide repertoire from the traditional Cotswold back-catalogue, with a number of new exciting dances of their own, that rotate the set, using various methods, during the chorus. There are now eight Woodside dances which have been danced out, including 'Grollie's Thing', named after Woodside's Reg Grollimund who passed away in Cassiobury Park after dancing up the May Day sun. The side now only do the dance on May Day Morning, whilst greeting the dawn.
One of the latest dances to join the list, 'Andy Bean', has further pushed the barriers of Woodside innovation, with an original tune composed specifically for the dance.
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Our Traditional Repertoire
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The Woodside Dances
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Morris Dancing is an aerobic form of dance which provides healthy exercise and social activity. Woodside's Foreman, Dave Pearse, is an expert instructor, having trained Morris Dancers, both new and experienced, for over twenty years, as well as being a folk dancer of nearly four decades' experience.