Makeney Morris dancing in Ashover, Derbyshire
Makeney Morris dancing Constant Billy in the Sherborne tradition at The Crispin Inn, Ashover.
For further information on Makeney Morris please visit
All footage recorded on 4th June 2015.
Copyright © 2015 Makeney Morris.
Freaks at Ashover 2013
The freaks in the peaks are a group of Morris dancers who meet at about four times a year in the peak district. They come from different teams and groups around the country. The freaks in the peaks have a workshop on the Saturday morning and learn/practice the dances. Then they go and dance out at local pubs and cafes and in villages in and around the peak district in England. Musicians play a variety of instruments, melodeon, accordions, drums, recorders, violins, and more besides. It is fun and enjoyable and everyone has a good time. The freaks in peak dance a style called border Morris.
Freaks in the Peaks is a co-operative morris dance group who perform their own interpretations of traditional welsh border morris dances, as well as modern dances created in the same style.
Freaks in the Peaks are made up of both male and female dancers and musicians. Originally, most members were from Manchester or Sheffield, but they now have members from as far as Scotland and London.
They meet on a quarterly basis in various villages throughout the Peak District and further afield. There hold a workshop on a Saturday morning, followed by dancing locally Saturday afternoon. Sundays involves a walk to some other nearby village and entertaining them with a display of dancing and music.
In this video the dancers are based at the Ashover Village Hall over the weekend of 13th, 14th and 15th April 2013. They danced at The Old Poets Corner The Crispin the Black Swan The Nettle, The Miners Arms Ashover. Musicians included Humphprey, Alan, Richard, Grace, Susannah, Steven, Bob, Jamie, Mike, Elmo, Ken,
Thanks to Susannah for organising.
Great Longstone, Little Longstone, Monsal - Peak District Villages
Visit website: - The villages of Great and Little Longstone are tucked away between Bakewell and Monsal and, as such, are a little off the tourist trails and no worse for that. With a choice of excellent pubs serving food - Longstone (its collective name) is a joy to all who take the time to discover it. For more please visit Let's Stay Peak District at peakdistrict-nationalpark.com and peakdistrictvideos.co.uk
Freaks on the Peaks - White Ladies' Aston
At Ashover Rock in Derbyshire on 14 April 2013 - on a beautiful, if blowy, day
Freaks on Fabric Rock -
Tinner's Rabbit
stick dance for 3
Tune: LNB Polka(AB)x7
Long sticks
Stepping: everyone single step for figures, stand still to stick.
CHORUS - one strikes 2, 2 strikes 3, 3 strikes 1, etc. for a total of 12 strikes, then 3 on the ground.
DANCE ON- start off to the side, dance on in a line (1, 2, 3) until music tells you, then form anti-clockwise circle
CHORUS
NUMBER 1 FIGURE 8 - number 1 goes between 2 and 3, turns right and does 3 turns of a figure 8, back to place.
CHORUS
NUMBER 2 FIGURE 8 - as above
CHORUS
NUMBER 3 FIGURE 8 - as above
CHORUS
RIGHT HAND STAR - sticks in and vertical, star until music tells you
CHORUS
LEFT HAND STAR - left hand wrist hold star, clash with other sets as you go round.
FINAL CHORUS - as before, but on last count jump to face out with stick in both hands horizontal above head
Danced at Fabric Rock, Ashover, Derbyshire April 14th by the Freaks in the Peaks
Freaks in the Peaks dance 'Days of Truce' at Over Haddon
Days of Truce
stick dance for 8
Tune: The Lasses of Duns
Long sticks
Stepping: single step throughout, except walk the reels
CHORUS - walk a reel of 4 on the side for 16, then sticking, (middles with nearest ends) clash, pause, clash, pause, 4x clash, alternating forehand and backhand. Repeat sticking.
FACE-OFF - cross and turn. Pass right, turn right, loop left (as in P on the floor), repeat 3 more times back to place.
CHORUS
CHALLENGE - 1st corners: in for 2 to meet, clash twice, back off for 4. 2nd corners repeat. Repeat all.
CHORUS
BATTLE - ends cast 4 steps to meet on side while middles cast to end places. 4 clashes on spot. Original ends 4 steps in to new middle, while original middles cast to new ends (set is now perpendicular to former self). 4 clashes across set. Reverse pattern back into place.
CHORUS
PEACE CIRCLE - middle 4 make stick-tipi and take 12 steps to circle once c/w (slowly) while ends circle large and fast ac/w until middles meet their ends back home. 4 to change places by left hand. Repeat in new circle back to place.
CHORUS
End on sticking: second half of sticking is done with partner across set.
Freaks in the Peaks is a co-operative morris dance group who perform their own interpretations of traditional Welsh border morris dances, as well as modern dances created in the same style.
The dances are characterised by energy and enthusiasm, and were originally danced by seasonally unemployed workers who entertained the public in disguise, since morris dancing for money was considered a form of begging, and was therefore illegal.
Freaks in the Peaks are made up of both male and female dancers and musicians. Originally, most members were from Manchester or Sheffield, but we now have members from as far as Scotland and London.
We meet on a quarterly basis in various villages throughout the Peak District and further afield. We have a workshop on a Saturday morning, followed by dancing locally Saturday afternoon. Sundays we walk to some other nearby village and entertain them.
We welcome new members, with or without experience, so much so, we have created a page just for you. If you would like to join us, you can just show up at an event, or if you want to speak to someone for more information, please visit the contact page.