Morris Dancing in Medway

Abi Aldridge Morris Dancing Journey

My own journey into the world of morris dancing started whilst sat outside a pub, on holiday in Cornwall. We were having a cool drink in the sunshine, waiting to pick up our order from the nearby takeaway. A motley bunch of people, all dressed in black and white turned up outside the pub and starting dancing along to the tunes from their own musicians.

What struck me was how much they were all enjoying themselves. The smiles across their faces and the giggles they shared over missteps because accuracy really wasn’t the point of their endeavour. They were just enjoying a dance with their mates, out on a gorgeous evening.

I thought to myself ‘I want to do that when I get home’. I wanted to find a side I could join and have some similar fun.

I hadn’t realised just how many morris dancing sides are out there! This was before I lived in Medway and I hadn’t yet experienced the Rochester Sweeps Festival, which features quite a variety of sides from Kent and all across the country.

My searches for a side were a bit haphazard to start, as I didn’t know then what I know now. All morris dancing sides are registered with one of the associations: The Morris Federation, Open Morris, or The Morris Ring, as it helps with the technical stuff like insurance and events. So their websites are great places to find different sides.

Anyway, I found the perfect side for me, who practiced near Maidstone. I joined them, with a warm welcome, at the start of their practice season in October, and spent a very enjoyable evening once a week learning some dances with them and enjoying the company of these new found friends. It’s fairly normal for sides to practice from October to March, and enjoy getting kitted up to dance out at pubs, festivals and random events mainly through the spring and summer. Dancing out in public seemed a little daunting at first. I needn’t have been concerned – the side were hugely supportive and encouraging, and I was just gradually introduced to each dance as I became confident with dancing them. You soon realise that it’s not like putting on a stage performance. More than likely you will be facing the other dancers – your friends – and no one is partially watching you and definitely not wishing anyone ill. The audience won’t notice any mistakes, and will be impressed that you are taking part. If you are enjoying yourself, that’s all that matters. One tip – just keep moving and no one will know you are adding your own special moves!

My love of morris dancing, and the benefits of being part of this community grew. Not least that it is cheap to be part of. Annual memberships to sides are often very cheap, and are just there to cover the costs of the practice venues over the winter. It doesn’t cost anything to dance out at a pub – except maybe a drink! Although sides don’t get paid for the wonderful efforts they put in entertaining everyone at festivals, they are often provided with free camping. A handful of very cheap long weekends away dancing with your friends over the spring and summer really are great escapism. And I found, as with any good local community, it can be really beneficial when you need a recommendation for a good plumber!

There are over 30 morris dancing sides based across Kent and Medway, with a variety of styles and dancers. Many are mixed sex sides, many more than a few decades ago, though if you are more comfortable dancing in a single sex side, there are still plenty around. Some, like Wolf’s Head and Vixen, have male and female dancers who dance separate dances but share musicians, practices and go to events jointly. Sides will welcome adults of all ages and abilities, some will specify ages of 12+ or 16+ or include all ages, or some like Bishop Gundulf’s Morris include a dedicated children’s side. I’ve found morris dancing to be incredibly family friendly. That even sides where youngsters can’t really join in the dances, they are welcome along at practices and as supporters so there isn’t a need to sort out separate child care. This of course depends on the particular preferences of the side and the practice venue, which might be a pub.

Some of the most heartwarming experiences I’ve ever had have been with morris dancing. Where whole multi generations of families can join in. Where it’s about a community enjoying themselves. Where it’s completely normal for cross generational friendships to exist – where a 7 year old can be friends with a 40-something and a 70-something, and them to all be in it together and support each other. Seeing a 2 year in kit, joining in a dance opposite her dad at Faversham Hop Festival – being included in the side and part of the whole wider morris community. I can just be blown away by how positive this all is.

Oh yeah, this is on top of how good the physical activity is. It’s kind of such good fun you actually forget you’re doing yourself physical good too. It really is accessible to many levels of ability. You would be able to join in to the amount that suits you.

If I’m going to big up morris dancing to it’s fullest, I should include a ‘science bit’ like that shampoo. It ticks all the boxes for positive brain chemistry. The exercise, music and laughter can boost your endorphins. The social interactions, your contribution to your side and achieving by learning those dances can boost your oxyocin. Getting outside for those dance stands and festivals is good for your serotonin. And being in the moment, going to practices and applying yourself can boost you dopamine. Basically it’s good, and can contribute to you feeling good both physically and mentally.

Personally I find morris dancing a bit like clubbing. Just cheaper, I don’t have to stay up so late, and it’s not so loud. But it shares the characteristics of just dancing about with some mates, not caring what I look like to others, and sharing some laughs along with some music.

If you see a morris dancing side out and about that you like the look of, say hi. I’m sure they will welcomely tell you about their side and answer any questions you have, and also gladly take any compliments.

The side that inspired me – well, it turned out they were called Pensans Morris from Penzance. They hadn’t long been together when I’d seen them outside that pub in Cornwall. A year or two later, I saw them at the Penzance Golowan Festival whilst on another holiday. I told them how they had inspired me to take up morris dancing, and they really appreciated that. I also got to dance with them! Like many sides, they have a joining-in dance that they include when dancing out at festivals. So when they did that, I naturally volunteered to pick up a stick and follow their simple instructions to be part of their joyful community for one dance. It’s what it’s all about.