Spring Grove Morris Men

Thinking about dancing Morris? Read the experiences of Simon from first practice to dancing out.

On a rainy night outside St John's Church, Kingston, me, my wife and her friend.....
or
What it's like, joining a Morris side

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Bidford - Shepherds Hey at Claygate Flower Show 2008

Spring Grove Morris is a men's Cotswold Morris side based in Kingston Upon Thames in the English county of Surrey. The side was formed in 1977, so 2009 is our 32nd glorious year.

In 1507 Morris Dance was first noted in Kingston-upon-Thames - over 500 years ago. Find out more here, and was revived in 1911 here.

This year we are collecting for Kingston Can, and to help repair the roof of St John's Church Kingston a friendly and welcoming community church were we practice.

New members are always welcome join us, either as dancers or musicians, though all our members are encouraged to perform at least a few dances. Musicians should be comfortable with playing their instruments in the keys of D and G. The most common instruments in use at present are melodeon, piano accordion, penny whistle and fiddle.

We have been most fortunate to have had 11 new dancers and musicians come along to practice this year. To help them get ready for dancing out we have extended our practice nights and now start at 8:00pm. The first half hour teaches basic steps, the second half hour includes intermediate dancers and from 9:00pm we run though the programme of dances for the coming season. Normally we practice during the off-season (October to April) on Monday evenings from around 8:30pm but this year we'll fit in some extra practices during the dancing season as well. We are fortunate to have the use of St John's Church, Grove Lane, Kingston, KT1 2SU.

From St George's day to the end of September we dance out, generally on Monday evenings at local pubs in the area. Please contact one of the side's Officers for further details. The side can be booked for events through our Bagman.

This year we are celebrating 30 years of dancing the sun up on May Day on Box Hill. This event has grown through the years and now attacts over 100 people, including walkers, cyclists and other Morris dance sides, and it is a truely magical event.

On this website you will find:

Description of the Side - Our traditions, kit, officers and beast. How to contact us.

Programme for 2009 - Where and when we will be dancing from April to September.
(You might also like to visit the site of Off-Spring Morris, our mixed side.)

Picture Gallery - A selection of some of the best photographs from event.

On-line Archive - The history of Spring Grove Morris Men and archival pictures.

You will find a plethora of information about the Morris on various web pages from Morris Dance Google Directory

For Morris in the rest of the world try Mainly Morris Dancing

If you are looking for a Morris side near where you live try The Morris Side Finder

The Spring Grove Morris Men are members of The Morris Ring

Some of the men also dance with the mixed side Off-Spring Morris which is a member of The Morris Federation