The Morris Federation is an association of self-governing morris teams, which aims to:
a) encourage and maintain interest in the practice of morris dancing by people of all ages
b) provide a channel of communication between member sides
c) encourage the improvement of standards of dancing among its members.
Any morris team which agrees with these aims is welcome to join as a Group Member. At the discretion of the Committee, other clubs performing related activities may also be admitted, provided they, too, accept these aims. There is also an Individual category for anyone wishing to maintain a personal contact, whether or not they are part of a side.
Being a federation, much reliance is placed upon membership participation in order for it to function fully. Sides are invited to host events, and all members of The Morris Federation are encouraged to submit items for publication in the newsletter and to help in the task of furnishing the library and archives with material.
Find out more about the benefits of becoming a member.
The Joint Morris Organisation (JMO)
The Morris Federation is one of three organisations in the UK that supports morris and traditional dance teams. We come together as the Joint Morris Organisation (JMO) to discuss issues that affect all of our members, including access to both public liability and personal insurance cover. The other two morris organisations are:
The Morris Ring
The Morris Ring was formed over 80 years ago to encourage the performance of the Morris, to maintain its traditions and to preserve its history; to bring into contact all the Men’s Morris Clubs or Teams. In 2018 the Morris Ring voted to change their constitution to allow membership from sides of all genders and is now an association of 180 Morris, Sword and Mummers Clubs and Teams.
Open Morris
Open Morris started in 1979 as a loose organisation of East Anglian dancers, following efforts by one of the few mixed morris sides in the country at the time, to find local friends and sympathisers. By positively encouraging membership of mixed gender sides, Open Morris recognised an unmet need and membership gradually increased as interest spread nationwide. Although Open Morris wholeheartedly encourages excellent performance, their main philosophy is that dancing should be fun, both for dancers and audience.