Dance Display – Wakefield – 12th May 2017
Persephone Women’s Northwest Morris
From West Yorkshire, Persephone Women’s Northwest Morris have been dancing now since 1978. The dancers are all women, with both women and men playing in the band.
In 2012, Persephone updated the dancers‘ kit – a black top and flared skirt together with a striking diagonal sash, incorporating the bright green and yellow for which the side is known. These symbolise the colours of spring, Persephone being the Greek Goddess of Spring. The side all wear black clogs with bells. The band wear black, including a black top hat with green and yellow ribbons.
The exuberant style and standard of dancing is maintained by weekly practices. Persephone dances a mixture of traditional dances from the north west of England and new dances written by members of the team, using bobbins, garlands, slings and sticks.The band comprises accordions, melodeons, clarinet, whistle and drums.
Persephone dances at festivals, weekends of dance and local events across the country throughout the year. Check out their website.
Wakefield Morris
The team performs a style of morris dancing known as “North West” morris, originating in Lancashire in the late 19th century where teams were formed to take a central role in the annual village carnival processions. Some of the dances that Wakefield Morris perform were traditionally used in such processions in the early 20th century, but over time the team has also written dances of its own, taking their inspiration and dance names from landmarks in and around Horbury. These team-written dances are now collectively known as the Horbury Suite.
The team colours of blue and gold are taken from the crest of Wakefield City. The men’s costume (kit) is based on a traditional dance kit from the 1890s, and consists of black clogs, yellow/gold socks, black britches, yellow/gold cummerbund, white shirt, blue sash and blue cap. The women’s kit is designed to complement the men’s in colour and to fit well into the dance style. They have used a number of different kits through the years; the current kit was designed to celebrate the millennium, and consists of black clogs, black tights, blue dress and white shirt. The Band wear blue waistcoats, black trousers, and black shoes or clogs and bowler hats.
The team has gained the reputation as one of the best North West teams in the country.
White Rose Morris Men