Kirtlington Morris – History and Dance

Talk and a workshop by Kirtlington Morris introducing the Kirtlington cotswold morris tradition from Oxfordshire

Programme (times are approximate):

• Musical introduction – 5 mins
• Talk – 45 mins
• Dance Workshop – 45 mins
• Q&A – 25 mins

Talk:

The history of Morris at Kirtlington Lamb Ale in the 17th to 19th centuries is outlined by Bob Dunlop.

Paul Davenport describes the reconstruction of the Kirtlington dances in the 1970s.

Tim Radford reflects on the Kirtlington revival.

Nigel Holt talks about the work of Len Berry and Barbara Berry as first squire and first musician of the revived Kirtlington side.

Workshop:

Dillon Browne introduces the steps and figures of the tradition, with a chance to join in and see how these fit into some of the dances – wear comfortable dancing clothes and bring a pair of hankies.

Music by John Leslie, principal musician for ten years, who has played, sung and danced since the 1970s.  John Leslie is busy recording all the Kirtlington tunes as ‘a tune a day’ on Facebook.