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A challenge has gone out to true-blooded Yorkshiremen to keep up the tradition of Morris Dancing.
Oakworth Village Morris Men are looking for dancers and musicians to help continue the historic dancing, which dates back to the 16th century.
Dancers must be male, but musicians can be female and the group currently boasts a female melodeon player - Rosemary Spurr. Their other musician is piano accordion player, Guy Hindley.
Squire Richard Ashton has enjoyed taking part in the traditional dancing for more than 25 years.
He said: "It is the traditional dance of England and we're looking for extra dancers to come along. I have danced in countries like Turkey, Romania, Israel and France and the people in those countries really think their traditional dancing is wonderful but traditional dancing in this country is made fun of."
His son is foreman and dance teacher Mark Ashton. The group mainly perform the Cotswold Morris, with characteristic white handkerchiefs, sticks and bells.
He said: "I have been dancing since I was 12, so nearly 25 years. I joined because my dad was a member of the side and he took over as squire.
"I do this because it is a great social event, you meet lots of weird and wonderful people all over the country and it keeps you fit.
"I enjoy the dancing, it is keeping an English tradition going. People are crying out nowadays to keep the English culture, although nobody seems to do anything about it."
Musician Rosemary said: "The reason I like coming along is that they work hard. I get here and I play nearly solid for two hours. It is really good practice. If you want to come along and dance or play music, just come along."
The group meets every Monday at Oakworth Methodist Church at 8pm. For more information, contact Nigel Yeo on (01484) 650532.
e-mail: mel.fairhurst@telegraphandargus.co.uk
Today the group will entertain visitors in Haworth from 11am. They start off at Haworth Station and move on to the Fleece Inn, Edinburgh Woollen Mill, The Kings Arms, Haworth Parsonage and culminate at the Fleece.
Morris Dancing facts
The Morris almost became extinct at the end of the 19th century when Cecil Sharp, a folk song and dance collector, discovered just four village Morris sides in existence. He revived the interest, which resulted in more than 250 English Morris groups.
Morris dancing is an ancient seasonal pagan ritual male custom, associated with the bringing of luck, the fertility and regeneration of the soil and the promotion of the cycle of the seasons.
The form of the dance varies with locations and each village has its own distinctive style of dance.
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6:12am Monday 24th March 2008
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