Image: Abram Morris 1901
Accompanying resources
This workshop has taken place. However for those interested in the topic the following resources related to this workshop are available:
- The Ancient Festival of Abram, called the Morris Dance – video of talk
Talk – “The Ancient Festival of Abram, called the Morris Dance” – Peter Bearon
Many teams across the country, and throughout the world, dance ‘The Abram Morris Dance’ often incorrectly referred to as the ‘Abram Circle Dance’.
The dance was originally collected by Maud Karpeles and published in the Journal of the English Folk Dance and Song Society in 1932. The dance was last performed ‘traditionally’ in 1901 before being revived by Geoff Hughes in 1984. It is currently danced on the Morris Dancers’ Ground in Abram on the last Saturday of June each year followed by a tour of the area. 2023 will see the 40th annual performance since the revival, which will be on Saturday 24th June 2023, starting at the Morris Dancers’ Ground, Park Lane, Abram at 11:00. But check on the The Abram Morris Dancers website before travelling any distance.
The talk will cover the known history of the dance, together with the significance of the Morris Dancers’ Ground in local folklore.
Presentation for approx 1 hour then 30 minutes for Q&A.
Your host
Peter Bearon has been a morris dancer since 1972. He was a founder member of The Rumworth Morris in 1976. He currently plays melodeon for The Rumworth Morris, Handsworth Traditional Sword Dancers and The Lymm Morris. Once a year he is to be found either playing or dancing for The Abram Morris Dancers.
Peter had a paper published in the 2021 issue of the EFDSS Folk Music Journal on “The Abram Morris Dance and the Abram Morris Dancers’ Ground”, which this talk will be based on.
Resources
For more information see: The Abram Morris Dancers website
To register
Please complete this online form: Register for the Talk – “The Ancient Festival of Abram, called the Morris Dance” – Peter Bearon; you will receive a confirmation email immediately (check your spam/junk/promotions folder!). We will send you a Zoom link a couple of days before the event. Open to all – you don’t have to be a member of a team in The Morris Federation.
Optional Donations
If you enjoy this event, then it would be wonderful if you could send a donation, small or large, to Peter’s chosen place – The Morris Federation. Click ‘Buy Now’ to donate by Paypal (opens in new window – enter “Peter Bearon” in the description, and close that window when finished). Or contact us (select Membership & Merchandise) for our BACS details – please use “Peter Bearon” as the reference for your donation.
