Morris Men dancing in The Square will once again herald the arrival of spring more reliably than the weather. Peter Ashworth, former Squire and founder member of the Saddleworth Morris Men tells us more. Read this & you might find yourself joining in… 

           “It is entirely by coincidence that the 2010 Saddleworth Morris season starts on April Fool’s Day. It was also the date that we held our first meeting in 1974 in The Clogger’s Arms, Lee Street, Uppermill. The King William pub was chosen as a venue for the first public appearance because there was a Road End Fair which took place every year on Maundy Thursday (the day before Good Friday). Old people in Saddleworth believed that the fair had been in existence since ancient times. Anyone is welcome to put up a stall. In 1974 there were only 6 dancers who performed a long stick dance & managed to knock out one of the group, who lay in the gutter until the rest of the group finished the dance. Ron Yates, the unfortunate dancer, often relates this story to inspire new recruits.

We don’t use sticks at all now & we have a distinctive uniform unique to Saddleworth. We also have some musicians, unlike in 1974. Therefore, we have a very active team who provide Saddleworth with local colour & regular entertainment in the summer. It is one of the few remaining Morris teams who meet regularly. We meet at The Church Inn, Uppermill on Thursday nights.

Maundy Thursday (1st April) evening will as usual be the first dance for new members of the team & provides entertainment for the spectators. Please come along at about 7.30pm outside the King William, Chew Valley Road, Greenfield.

The Good Friday (2nd April) tour is approximately 11am in Delph; 12.30 in Dobcross; 1.30 at the Diggle Hotel & from 2.30 onward in Uppermill outside the museum.

There is also a performance at The Church Inn at 8pm & at The Cross Keys at 9pm.

We are always looking for new members. Please contact Pete Ashworth on 07970 134714 or any of the Morris team.”