By David Barnes
Morris dancing is resurgent in Horwich. Not only is Rivington Morris going from strength to strength attracting admiring reviews for their precision and vivacity but the men in the shape of the Horwich Prize Medal Morris Men had a great 2015 and are looking forward to 2016 with an impressive roster of invitations to festivals.
Closer to home both teams will feature at the ever popular Horwich events, Day for St George on Saturday April 23rd and the Horwich Carnival on June26th.
These are always the events that the teams love to perform at, to a home crowd so to speak and they believe Horwich can be proud of the way that the teams promote the morris dancing heritage in the town.
In 2015 the Prize Medal Morris Men made a welcome return to the festival circuit, wowing the crowds at Shepley Spring Folk Festival with the precision of their sets.
The north west tradition of morris dancing is distinctive from the Cotswold and the Border varieties, rooted in processional events such as the Whit Walks.
Paul Ashbrook, long time member and newly elected Leader of the Prize Medal men is justly proud of the Horwich tradition.
“We are building on the achievements and traditions of the teams that came out of the railway works at the end of the 19th century,” he said.
“At our Day for St George we always pause the procession at the loco works war memorial and doff our caps in memory of those men of Horwich who gave their lives for us in the world wars.”
These days the team regularly performs alongside some of the more recognisable teams of the Morris circuit, including the Britannia Coconut Dancers from Bacup and the Saddleworth Morris Men at whose Rushcart festival the Horwich men gave rousing displays last summer.
In 2016 the men will also be appearing at Todmorden Folk Festival in April, and Sandbach Day of Dance in September, amongst many others.
If you'd like to take part in an energetic, challenging and fun traditional dance form, even if you have no experience whatsoever then either come along to a practice night for a no-obligation session, or contact the secretary for more information.
As Paul says: “We are a welcoming bunch of people so if you want to dance or play the musical accompaniment then get in touch, we are always happy to meet new dancers and musicians.
“Or you can find some of us at the Crown after practice, telling each other recent, or not so recent, morris dancing stories. It is a vibrant dance form with a good social side. Practice nights are always fun, and we get a great reception at dance-outs.”
Horwich Prize Medal men’s Morris meets every Wednesday, 8.30-10pm at Horwich Resource Centre. Or contact Andy Stevenson-Jones (Secretary) on 07749 240289.
See their latest news and information on Twitter @horwichmorris or on Facebook at facebook.com/horwichprizemedalmorris.
Rivington women’s Morris meet at Blackrod Community Centre every Wednesday at 8pm see www.rivingtonmorris.org.uk for more information.