MORRIS IN THE MAZE was founded in 1997 by a small but dedicated group of Morris dancers, who were frustrated that the beautiful market town of Saffron Walden, with all its history and tradition, did not have its own Morris team.
The origins of the Morris are lost in the mists of time and folk memory, but it is true to say that men and women have been performing Morris dances in the villages of England for over six hundred years. Most of the dances that we know of today were collected by Cecil Sharp, a prominent figure in the folk revival, in the early twentieth century. He got on his bike and travelled around the Cotswolds writing down the tunes and steps that were shown to him by (or in) the locals. Each village had its own style of dancing or particular steps, and these are known today as the different traditions.
Morris dancing is a living tradition and is carried on today by hundreds of teams all over the country, each interpreting the dance in their own characteristic way. The Morris is an important part of folk festivals, village celebrations and holiday entertainment.
MORRIS IN THE MAZE was so named as Saffron Walden is well endowed with two mazes. The turf maze being one of the oldest of its kind in the country. We have both men and women dancers which is traditional. We dance as often as they will let us, throughout the summer in Saffron Walden and the surrounding villages. We do a variety of dances, some chosen from the traditional repertoire and some invented, all done in our own unique way.
We practice on Thursday evenings throughout the winter, in Great Chesterford village hall, between 8pm and 10pm, and afterwards we have a drink or two! We welcome new dancers or musicians. You don't need any experience, just enthusiasm and a sense of humour.
For further information please email Info@morrisinthemaze.co.uk or contact Ilse or Roy Pedler on 01799 541880.
Last updated 25/06/00, maintained by webmaster@morrisinthemaze.co.uk