400 Roses & T'Thorns, formed in 2005, are a group of belly dancers and musicians from Yorkshire and Lancashire based in Shipley, West Yorkshire. Their unique style is a fusion of tribal belly dance with UK folk dance formations, danced to traditional UK folk music - expect something a little different!

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Blackstone Edge are a rapper sword dancing team who live in a bog somewhere on the moors above Littleborough. Fueled by dirty beer and famed for their ginger bums, they bring the party wherever they go!

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Bollin Morris have been dancing Border Morris since the winter season 1976, but North West Morris was the main focus during the summer. In 2009 they reformed solely as a Border side. Their name coming from the river Bollin which runs through Cheshire

Halifax based Bradshaw Mummers are a mumming side, formed in 1972. They perform traditional and self-written mumming plays, up and down the country. Traditionally when performing, to prevent being recognised, mummers would blacken their faces with soot, but now being more sensitive, they find other colours or ways to disguise themselves. This year they will be bringing their latest play, ‘The White Rose Play‘ written by one of their team, to Holmfirth Festival.

Cassidy School of Dance

Formed in 1982, Crosskey was initially a woman’s North West side, and later became mixed. Their kit has the crossed keys from Peterborough's coat of arms, navy skirts or breeches, socks/tights, white blouse/ shirt, and red waistcoat. Crosskey have danced at many festivals up and down the country, including their local event, Whittlesey Straw Bear, but also have danced in Portugal. If we’re lucky they may perform some clog step dances.

Fiddle & Feet Appalachian dance team was formed over 25 years ago. Their dancing is high energy consisting of traditional dances from the Appalachian mountains of America. Their musicians play old time and blue grass fiddle tunes.

Fidlers Fancy Morris are a North West side from Stockport. The original Fidlers team was founded in the 1880s. The present team were formed in 1977 and perform traditional dances from around the North West of England, accompanied by accordion and percussion.

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Five Rivers Morris have been dancing around their native Sheffield and further afield since 2008. They dance traditional Cotswold morris with precision, energy, enthusiasm, and a smile on their faces.

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Foxs Morris started in 1999, when a group of friends got together with a mutual interest in the tradition of folk dance and music. This small group were all members of 'the Friends of Cookley School' or FOCS. This evolved into FOXS Morris. As Foxs grew, they moved to the nearby town of Kidderminster, Worcestershire. They dance the ‘Border’ Morris tradition, which is apt given their proximity to the border with Wales.

 

Folk Friendzy

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Hathor Dance Troupe performs a mixture of traditional and (slightly) more modern belly dance styles. Over the last 25 years they have performed at hundreds of community and charity events as well as private functions, and they always encourage audience participation. They rehearse at a dance studio in Huddersfield where troupe leader, Ann Wear, runs her dancing classes.

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Harlequin Morris was formed in June 2013 by a small group of friends from around the country,who wanted to learn and dance more difficult and challenging traditions in a polished manner. They consider themselves a tribute to the living traditions of the Cotswolds, and their dances are exciting, energetic and uplifting for both dancers and audience members. Their kit is an array of different coloured shirts, black waistcoats, and trousers

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Hebden Bridge Hill Millies

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Lindley Junior School

Milltown Cloggies are based in Dukinfield, Greater Manchester and have been dancing, both locally and across the country, since 1989. Still having 5 of their founder members, they dance in the North West tradition, wearing clogs. Many of their dances originate from the mill towns of Lancashire and North Cheshire, hence their name. Their eclectic band provides lively music.

Mons Meg Sword Dancers are now legally allowed to drink, having turned 18 last year. With their distinctive tartan sashes and blue socks, they have danced Rapper Sword regularly in Leith and Edinburgh’s centre. They also dance Longsword, and recently picked up one of Kirkburton’s dances. Happy to dance anywhere but give them a tight space, a wooden floor, and beer – that’s what makes them very happy.

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Mortimers Nottingham based, performing dances from the Northwest tradition in their distinctive kit, are a familiar sight at events

 

Pecsaetan - Mid-2001, a group of friends drunkenly decided to start a women’s Cotswold morris team with a name nobody understands and few can pronounce. They have since danced widely, from Sheffield pubs to festivals across the UK and abroad, always having loads of fun along the way.

Formed in 2001, Powderkegs are a mixed side of Border Morris dancers and musicians based in Whaley Bridge in the Peak District. They take their name from the old gunpowder mills near their home, and their red, yellow, and gold tatters symbolise fire. The side’s evolving repertoire includes an explosive mixture of traditional and more modern dances, including a number of dances written by the side’s own members.

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Ringheye Morris of Mobberley is a mixed north-west Morris side, founded in 1983. Their home is the Cheshire village of Mobberley. Most of their dances come from Lancashire or the Cheshire Plain; some from further afield, and a few of their own. Sometimes they resort to more familiar Morris tunes but whenever possible they play their own, self penned music. 

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Saddleworth Morris Men

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Saddleworth Women Morris and Clog are a North-West Morris women's side formed in 2024, based in Saddleworth. The side have taken part in a number of prestigious events including JMO Day of Dance 2025 and La Mercé Festival in Barcelona.

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Sallyport

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Sheffield City Morris - Rhythmic grace - Athletic precision - Green trousers. From the sleepy Cotswold village of Sheffield comes the inimitable Medup tradition. Sheffield City Morris have been dancing, singing and cheerfully stopping traffic around the world since 1975.

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Sheffield Steel Rapper present a taste of northern grit. Dynamic dancing, powerful music and steely determination (not to mention gin) drive them forward. Inspired by the Steel City's  industrial heritage, and with Henderson's Relish running through their veins. Pure joy in a flurry of orange and black

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Shropshire Sharp Shins Rapper “I am of Shropshire, my shinnes be sharp”. Shropshire
Sharpshins Rapper are a mixed rapper sword dance team performing fast paced, intricate and, at times, acrobatic dances. May their shins be ever sharp!

Slubbing Billys are the local mixed North West Morris side who wear a distinctive purple woollen kit, and hats decorated with fresh flowers. They practise in Slaithwaite Community Centre on Tuesday evenings from 8-10pm. They dance regularly at various folk festivals in Yorkshire and further afield, and also outside pubs in the local area on summer evenings. New members are always very welcome - no dance experience necessary! Folk musicians are welcome too.

T’owd Man Border Morris have been dancing Morris with Attitude (in a Border tradition) since 2020. T'Owd Man is the affectionate name given to the medieval bas-relief carving of a lead miner, currently found in St Mary's Church, Wirksworth, Derbyshire and believed to be the earliest existing depiction of a miner. Their tatters of black, silver and grey pay homage to the lead mining heritage of their local area.

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