Open Morris Member Sides

Rattlejag Morris, based in Retford Nottinghamshire, is a mixed dance side, formed in 2002 with the aim of reviving and developing a dance tradition based in our own local area. Using material collected from East Yorkshire as a starting point, as well as our own material from local research into dancing in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire, we have set out to revive and develop our own locally based dance tradition.

We take our inspiration from the local ploughboys of the 19th century and wear collarless shirts, black trousers, flat caps and waistcoats with ribbons attached. Each dancer and musician has their own colour ribbon and face paint which together gives the side a multi-coloured effect. We perform broom dances, bacca pipe dances and sword dances amongst many others which are unique to our group and we are continually developing new dances based on research. We use many local tunes rarely heard or music written to suit a particular dance.