A (very) brief history of Harthill Morris
In 1975 a group of young men in the village of Harthill, the most southerly village in Yorkshire situated in the metropolitan borough of Rotherham, came together to form part of the entertainment for a village event. The group learned the basics of morris dancing and, following a positive reception to their performance, went on to officially form Harthill Morris in 1976. The side went from strength to strength and were proud to be accepted for membership into The Morris Ring, the founding National Association of Morris and Sword Dance Clubs, in 1981. During the 1980’s the side had the honour of dancing before Queen Elizabeth II in Worksop (Nottinghamshire), and also Charles & Diana, the Prince & Princess of Wales, in Chesterfield (Derbyshire), while performing at opening ceremonies. More recently, Harthill Morris have appeared on The Jeremy Vine show on BBC Radio 2, and on 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown on Channel 4. Over the years, they have performed all over the UK, and in continental European countries including Spain, Poland and the Netherlands. Harthill Morris musicians also often provide their services in the local area, playing for events such as the Christmas carol service in the local church.
Harthill Morris dancing at the Kelham Island Museum Victorian Christmas Market, December 2023.
What do Harthill Morris actually do?
Harthill Morris mainly perform Cotswold morris dances, so-called because the dances originate from villages in the Cotswolds. The side have also been known to perform the occasional Border, North-West and Longsword dance too however when the mood takes them, and they have also toured the traditional Derbyshire Mumming Play “The Derby Tup” (or “T’Owd Tup”) around the local area during the festive period. On summer Thursday evenings Harthill Morris visit local pubs in South Yorkshire, North-East Derbyshire and North Nottinghamshire, giving displays of the Morris before retiring inside for the singing of communal folk songs. The side also attends various events, festivals and days of dance, usually as guests of other morris sides or as part of The Morris Ring, and are available for booking for a wide variety of other occasions such as weddings and carnivals for a negotiable fee. This income, along with Thursday collections and sponsorships, helps to offset club expenses including the maintenance of costumes and instruments.
Harthill Morris dancing in the Minster Yard in Lincoln as part of Lincoln BIG Morris Festival, September 2024.
There’s no place like home…
Harthill plays host to an annual summer Well Dressing and a Carnival, both in July, and Harthill Morris perform at both. Since the side’s formation in 1976 they have danced on Boxing Day outside the two pubs in Harthill, The Blue Bell and The Beehive, and are proud to say they have never missed a year since. On the Thursdays between Armistice Sunday and Christmas, after practice, the side join in local sessions of singing Sheffield Carols, and finish their Boxing Day performance in the same way.
Harthill Morris dancing outside The Blue Bell in Harthill on Boxing Day 1976…
…and posing for a photo in the same spot on Boxing Day 2022.
What do Harthill Morris get up to when not out and about dancing?
Once the summer dance-out season has ended in September, the side meets on Thursday evenings from 7.45pm in Harthill Village Hall to practice before retiring to The Beehive for some well-earned refreshments. They also hold their AGM once the summer dance-out season has finished (usually in September or October), where important decisions are made regarding the direction of the side, and officers are elected.
The village of Harthill and its location in South Yorkshire.
From September to April, Harthill Morris practice on Thursday evenings at Harthill Village Hall, Winney Hill, S26 7YL.
Current Elected Officers of Harthill Morris
Squire
Jonathan “Jono” Millward
Bagman
Lesley Ellam
Old Man
Peter Owers
Treasurer
David Chinn