What is Morris?

Some facts about Morris Dancing ...

Morris Dancing is England's traditional folk dance. It is usually performed by a team of six dancers wearing bells, and using handkerchiefs or sticks.

Some think that it dates from pre-Christian times, celebrating the cycles of the year, especially the Mayday resurrection; others think may relate to ‘moorish’ dances brought back to England at the time of the Crusades.

In modern times, Morris was revived around 1900, through the collecting work of Cecil Sharp and others, and yet again in the 1970s.

There are two major dance traditions we continue: Cotswold Morris from the areas to the west of Oxford, in Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, and the more rustic Border Morris from the English–Welsh border country.

Why should you join a Morris side?

There are lots of well documented research that indicates the benefits of dancing for both physical and mental health. 

• The dances that are practiced and performed can be quite "aerobic".  This can be beneficial for your cardio respiratory system.

• Dancing has cognitive benefits.  For example see this research from Harvard.

• From the Act Belong Commit - there are benefits for Mental Health in belonging and committing to (any) group and Red Raven Morris is no exception.  Personally I think the Red Raven Morris Dancers and Musicians are a very friendly welcoming bunch.

From "A Muddle of Morris" you might like to contemplate ten reasons you should consider Morris dancing - see - https://amuddleofmorris.wordpress.com/2016/03/29/ten-reasons-to-join-a-morris-side-this-autumn/