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.'
