The first recorded Morris Dance was in 1448 and by 1500 it had become a popular form of entertainment. Apart from being banned by Oliver Cromwell, it has remained a regularly performed form of folk dance ever since and is regarded as very traditionally English.  With its bright costumes, bells, traditional music and cordinated stick-hitting, it is always fun to watch.

The name Morris is believed to be a contraction of Moorish and it it thought that this flamboyant style of dance originated in Southern Europe  with its strong Arabian links during mediaeval times. It rapidly became very popular with forms of the dance being found in virtually every European country.

English Morris Dancing  is based on a fusion of traditional folk dancing and the more exotic and colourful Moorish dance style imported from Europe. This is why there are different types of Morris Dancing across the country.

Some of the tunes, such as 'Trunkles' are very old, but many are more modern and have been adapted from popular music over the ages.