ALVECHURCH MORRIS

  Alvechurch Morris were formed in 1989 by a group of men from the village to put on a display at the local school fete. Having enjoyed the experience they decided to keep dancing and are still going strong.  Originally all the members of the side were from the village or had a strong link to it, although this criteria for membership has been relaxed the side still retains its feeling of a village side.

        We dance in the style of the Welsh Border Morris which is the local tradition in the county of Worcestershire where Alvechurch are based. Our repertoire is made up from our interpretation of the collected dances, our own dances, in the traditional simple style, which includes the much copied Smithy, along with a couple taught to the side by The Paradise Islanders ( one of the first revivalist sides to dance the tradition ).

         Our kit cosists of brown corduroy trousers, a collarless shirt, a rag jacket made to an individuals own design and colour scheme accompanied by working boots and a formal hat. We also blacken our faces as a form of disguise. 

        During the year we can be seen dancing out at various local hostalries  often accompanied by other sides. We also attend a couple of festivals during the summer and other events put on by other sides. One of the main events is held on New Year's Day when we perform our mumming play, based on a traditional play but with an added topical character or event. We also dance out in the village on St George's Day and plough Monday.

           St George preparing to battle the 'Mighty Beast'

For more information on inviting us out, or if you would like to join us as a dancer or musician, practice on Monday Nights,  please contact Derek for details at derek.doric2@firenet.uk.net  .   Please note that we do not normally dance at fetes, open days, weddings, etc. 

Follow the link to John James slide show, http://www.johnjames.net/black/index.html to view his compilation of pictures set to our musicians in full swing.

Paul Newby.  

Alvechurch Morris were saddened to learn of the sudden death on Saturday 31 May of Paul. He had been a member of the side for some ten years. Apart from being a fixture when we danced out he had made the part of 'Sweet Moll' his own in our  New Years Day Play. Paul was reknowed for his love of real ale and could be spotted near the pump dispensing the most treacle like of beer he could find! He will not only be missed by the morris, he was part of the Alvechurch Foot Paths working party which he was helped to maintain when he wasn't out dancing.

Our condolences go out to his family especially Lynn and his father Jeff