We are an assorted group of people with various interests as well as morris dancing including walking, cycling, and many other hobbies. Lots of us have jobs and some are retired. Crook are very friendly and inclusive to all.
As well as dancing with Crook, several of our members also dance with other teams. It's not just Morris dancing either, Clog Dancing, Appalachian Dancing and Garland Dancing are all part of their repertoire.
We also enjoy ceilidh dancing, where we can really let our hair down, and our musicians never miss out on a chance to join a session in a pub!
Why Crook?
Crook Morris was originally formed in 1981 as an offshoot from the Crook Folk Dance Group, which is still active in the small village of Crook outside Kendal.
Members of Crook are sometimes known as Crooks. This is mostly a coincidence.
Our dances
Every local Morris side develops its own distinctive style over time. In the early 20th century, many of these local traditions, especially in the Cotswolds, were captured and written down. These styles tend to define the Morris that people think of today, and our repertoire includes dances from these traditions, but they are just one part of a diverse range of performance dances from all over England.
Our total repertoire numbers around 50 dances, from over 20 different traditions, including our own. We choose about 30 of these each year to practice and perform.
Cotswold
This is the classic Morris dance style with dancers in flowery hats, waving white hankies or clashing sticks (or both!)
Our repertoire includes dances from these Cotswold traditions:
- Adderbury
- Ascott-under-Wychwood
- Bampton
- Bledington
- Bucknell
- Crook (our own style!)
- Ducklington (jigs)
- Eynsham
- Fieldtown
- Headington
- Ilmington
- Lichfield
- Oddington
Border
Border dances originate from the Welsh Marches of Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Often danced in disguise, clashing sticks and making noise!
Rapper
Rapper dancing comes from the North East of England. Five dancers with flexible swords - fast and flowing!
Mumming
Mumming plays where the dragon is killed and Saint George always wins - in spite of everything.
More info
Inclusion
We are proud to be an inclusive organisation. We want people from all backgrounds to enjoy our dancing, and membership is open to all, subject to a minimum age limit.
Furthermore, we stand against all forms of discrimination, both in the Morris world and in all sectors of our society. Nobody should be made to feel unwelcome, unsafe or uncomfortable by any element of our performances or our community. To raise an issue, however small, contact our squire in confidence.
Publicity
We're generally happy for people to share photographs of Crook dancing for personal purposes. For any other usage, please contact us with details.
As we supply public entertainment, photographs of the side on this site or in our publicity may include members of the public, including children. Please get in touch if you have any concerns.