Teams 2009

Haughley HoofersHaughley Hoofers

An all female side from Haughley in Suffolk, the Hoofers were formed in 1983 and started performing in 1984.

Thei kit consists of red coururoy pinafore dresses over blue and white striped blouses and bloomers (Andy Pandy Style!); navy socks and black clogs!

Most of their dances are in the North West tradition although they also perform dances from the Isle of Man and the Hebrideean Islands as well as some of their own devising.

Over the years they have performed at various local and national events as well as further a field in Belgium, France and Germany. Haughley Hoofers' musicians are men and women who play a variety of instruments. Tunes tend to stray from the traditional and often have a european feel. They dance with enthusiasm and energy!

The Flag Crackers of Craven are a mixed Border side based in Skipton, North Yorkshire. Since their foundation in 1988 they have danced in locations from Eire to Belgium, from Orkney to Kent.

They black up and wear clogs and colourful rag jackets. Their traditional dances come from the borders of England and Wales. They celebrate life and fun in dance and music.

White Rose Morris Men

White Rose Morris Men have promoted the South Midlands (or Cotswold) tradition for over 50 years, firstly in Leeds and, since 1971, in Huddersfield, and have also danced in Sweden, Jersey, Provence and Romania.

Dressed prettily in whites with green baldrics, red belts, straw hats and coloured bell pads below the knee, White Rose will be dancing the traditions of Oddington, Bampton-in-the-Bush and Bidford, with a bit of Fieldtown, Adderbury and Upton thrown in. (And see if you can count the number of former Sowerby Bridge Morris Men in the side).

Wharfedale Wayzgoose

WayzgooseWharfedale Wayzgoose is Otley's only Border Morris side. Founded in 1993 it was created by men & women of Otley and has supported many local events, such as the Carnival, Victorian Fayre and the Otley Folk Festival.

It is also a side that has gained national recognition as "ambassadors of Morris". The side are in huge demand to attend events throughout England and where ever they go they promote the glories of Otley to all and sundry.

The side name reflects the printing tradtions of Otley and the side's colours of black and white are the town colours.

Whip the Cat Rapper

A definition of Whip the Cat? Take your pick:

(a) To get drunk
(b) To lay the blame of one's offences on some one else
(c) To work as an itinerant tailor, carpenter, etc. at private houses by the day
(d) To play a practical joke
(e) To practise extreme parsimony
(f) To shirk work on Monday
(g) Cards
(h) Austral. & NZ, to complain or moan

This Whip the Cat are an all female rapper side from the Sheffield area consisting a disproportionate number of librarians, nurses & accountants, although you’d never notice!

Formed in 2000, they have a number of dances in their repertoire and have performed at various events including DERT and the Whitby and Holmfirth Folk Festivals.

Sowerby Longsword

Sowerby Longsword were originally formed, very hastily, in 1997 to commemorate one of the guest teams having to pull out at the last minute.

Dancing in cart puller uniform, their members are drawn exclusively from the Kirkburton Rapier Dancers, as are the dances themselves.

Sowerby Longsword re-formed briefly last year to mark their 8th anniversary and get the organizers out of a hole.