All about Woodside Morris
Woodside's Own Dances
Our own evolving tradition!
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.
2007 50th Anniversary Village of Origin Tour, The Phoenix, Steeple Claydon
copyright 2007 Woodside Morris Men
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.
2007 Summer Pub Tour, The White Horse, Hedgerley
copyright 2007 Woodside Morris Men
Some of these dances have further pushed the frontier of Woodside innovation(!) with original tunes composed specifically for the dances Andy Bean and Colne River.
THE WOODSIDE DANCES
Dance Name
Style
Andy Bean
Hanky
Aunty's Bequest
Stick
Butter Fingers (not danced out)
Stick
Captain Lanoe's Skirmish
Stick
Colne River
Stick
Custer's Delight
Stick
Duke of Marlborough's Request
Hanky
Glorious Fifty
Hanky
Grollie's Thing
Stick
Moping Mum
Hanky
Old King Cole
Stick
2006 Kent and Sussex Weekend Away, Bodiam Castle, Bodiam
copyright 2006 Woodside Morris Men
2006 Kent and Sussex Weekend Away, Bodiam Castle, Bodiam
copyright 2006 Woodside Morris Men