The name ‘Morris’ may be derived from ‘Moorish’, as a similar dance — the Morisco — was known in medieval Spain. Payments to “Moryshe dauncers” were first recorded in London in 1448, and performances took place at royal and civic festivities before 1500. By 1600, Morris dancing had become a popular pastime in many villages, and the name gradually came to describe a wider range of English traditional dances.

Morris dancing is England’s oldest surviving folk tradition. For at least five and a half centuries — and perhaps much longer — it has been performed to welcome the spring and to mark the turning of the year at midsummer and midwinter. One version was danced in Hexham until the 19th century when, like many other rural customs, it fell into decline.

The revival of Morris dancing in Hexham began in November 1977 at the town’s folk club, where Hexham Morris was formed. The team started modestly but, over the years, grew to incorporate Hexhamshire Lasses.

Today, the two closely associated teams are among the most experienced, versatile, and accomplished exponents of the ancient art of English Morris dancing. Equally at home in Hexham or Hungary, the teams dance separately but most often appear together to entertain audiences and keep traditional English dance alive both locally and further afield. The men perform dances mainly from the Cotswolds and the Welsh border regions, while the Lasses perform a variety of traditional dances in their own distinctive style.