Northgate Folk Festival 2024

The second year of this event offered three very different dance sides, showcasing the amazing variety and diversity of the tradition that is the Morris and how it is evolving and staying relevant. Molly dancing, originally a dance from the Fens of East Anglia danced by plough boys often disguised in women’s clothing was superbly portrayed by Molly No-mates a new team from Bristol in the West of England performed by ladies dressed in men’s attire intriguingly calling themselves Drag King Morris. There was also a strong performance by local Welsh Border side Clerical Error dancing with their now traditional pickaxe handles and incredible vigour, and of course us - offering up what most people view as Morris Dancing with our Cotswold Morris. I hope the audience were able to see how wide and varied this living and evolving tradition is and may be encouraged to get involved themselves in some way.

It has to be said that audience provided most excellent support for all three sides and joined in a bonny green at the end of our set which must have at least trebled the number of dancers.

An excellent afternoon and evening, dare I suggest it would be great if they could see away to expand the dance element further and include maybe some sword dancing or other.