Our Regular Local Performers
Sowerby Bridge Morris
Northwest Morris
After the success of the Sowerby Bridge rushbearing in the late 1970s, there was pressure for the town to also develop a dance side. The result, in 1979, was the Sowerby Bridge Morris Dancers. Originally an all-male Northwest side, they were a regular feature of rushbearing until 2002 when dwindling numbers made performing impossible. In 2012 the team was resurrected as a mixed side and set about learning the original team’s repertoire. In the years since they have written a number of original dances. In 2014 they added Whalley and Colne Royal, both traditional dances from the now disbanded Colne Royal Morris Men.
Bradshaw Mummers
Mumming Plays / Street Theatre
The Bradshaw Mummers began as a ‘one-off’ entertainment in 1972 and haven’t yet thought of a good reason to stop. They began performing at Rushbearing in the early 1980s and have been a well-loved fixture ever since. Essentially a street theatre group, they perform traditional and contemporary plays based on the medieval mumming traditions of death and re-birth and the triumph of good over evil. Do not miss them!
Ryburn Longsword
Yorkshire Longsword
Ryburn Longsword formed in 1994 and we are pleased to have had them perform at almost every Rushbearing since. The team is mostly drawn from the town of Ripponden. Over the years Ryburn have established themselves quite a reputation amongst the folk dance fraternity. They perform in the dance style traditional to Yorkshire and have boasted both a senior and junior team who've appeared at a range of events, both in and out of the region. Ryburn have done sterling work over the years encouraging youth participation in folk dance and folk arts.
Hebden Bridge Hill Millies
Cotswold Morris (Sunday only)
The Hill Millies are an all-female team from the nearby town of Hebden Bridge. Since forming over a decade ago they have danced in the Cotswold morris tradition as taught to them by the landlord of their local Fox & Goose public house. They have been performing at Rushbearing since 2007 and we are pleased to welcome them back again this year as they continue their mission to 'Entertain and educate the community with traditional music and dance.'
Our Visiting Performers
Madder Mill Molly
Molly Dancing
Madder Mill Molly are a mixed side from the Carshalton area of South London who have chosen to dance in the distinctive Molly style of the East Anglian Fens. They took their name from an historic madder and snuff mill located on the nearby River Wardle, and their kit reflects the red dye derived from the madder root. They spend their summer performing all around the country, and we’re delighted to be welcoming them to their first rushbearing this year.
Thieving Magpie
Border Morris (Saturday only)
‘The Magpies’ are a mixed dance side from Huddersfield’s Colne Valley performing in the style associated with the Welsh borders. They formed in 2006 and danced at Rushbearing for the first time in 2010. As usual this summer they have a packed schedule and we are glad to have them join us again this year.
Forest of Dean Morris
Cotswold Morris
The Forest of Dean once contained many Morris sides and this current team are a revival side performing the unique style of dances specific to the area. Their mixed membership ranges from about 15 to 80+ years of age. During the Spring and Summer the team dances out most Wednesday evenings at pubs in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley. Over the years they have performed at countless fetes, shows and special events including festivals and tours in the UK as well as Germany, France and Belgium.
Sutton Masque
Border Morris
Founded in 2014, Sutton Masque are a border morris side from Sutton-in-the-Isle in the southern reaches of the Cambridgeshire fens. The side was founded by residents of Sutton but has now expanded to include members from as far afield as Witchford & Chatteris. They are a mixed side and claim they will come and dance at any event, large or small, which is lucky for us! The summer usually sees them performing at a number of pubs local to Cambridgeshire and occasionally beyond.
