This June, the Ossett Beercart will once again be bringing the colour, the music, the passion and the fun of English Traditional dance to the streets of Ossett. What’s more, the festival will host more dance teams than ever before, with Wakefield Morris joined by a whopping 14 other teams! But it’s not just about the quantity….we think this year’s line up is one of the best yet.
The teams will be travelling to Ossett from all over the country, from as far North as Hexham and as far south as Devon, attracted by the prospect of being a part of this unique event. They come to pull the cart and to put on a show for the welcoming crowds. Oh! and to sample the 40 real ales!
If you come out to watch on the 3rd of June, you’ll be able to see the teams performing a variety of different styles of Morris dance in a number of different spots around the town.
Five teams, The White Rose Morris Men and Hexadaisy, from Huddersfield, The Belles of London City, Ripon Morris Men, and Hexham Morris Men all dance in the Cotswold style. You’ll be able to recognise them from their hankies and their sticks.
Sheffield side, Boggart’s Breakfast, and Beltane, from Torbay, both dance in the Border style, which comes from the English/Welsh border. You might not be able to recognise the dancers themselves, but you’ll be able to recognise the border teams by their coloured faces and their rag jackets.
Gog Magog, from Cambridge dance in the Molly style, which originates from East Anglia and the Fens. You’ll be able to spot them by their kaleidoscopic colour scheme. In fact you’ll find it hard to miss them!
The home team, Wakefield Morris, along with Customs and Exiles, from Wokingham, and Kettle Bridge Clog dance in the North West style, which originates from the mill towns of Lancashire and North Cheshire. They’re easy to find; just look for the clogs.
Whip the Cat, from Nottingham, dance in the Rapper style (and Clog), which comes from the mining villages of the North East, and Sallyport dance both rapper and Long Sword, which comes from right here in Yorkshire. You probably don’t need me to tell you, as you that can spot them by their swords.
Hexhamshire lasses and 400 Roses, dance in their own style, with Hexhamshire performing a repertoire of traditional and contemporary dances using garlands, sticks and handkerchiefs, and 400 Roses combine UK folk music and dance with tribal style bellydance.
With such an array of styles, each with its own brand of vibrant traditional English music, performed by some of the best in the country at what they do, we can’t help feeling a little excited! We hope you can join us and see what all the fuss is about.