Dance Team Bios 13

DANCE TEAMS

Shrewsbury Morris with Septimus the Giant

Shrewsbury Morris are three teams who were formed in 1976: The Shrewsbury Lasses, The Bull & Pump Morris Men and Shrewsbury Clog. In emerging from the pandemic the men and women have also joined together to create a mixed repertoire of dances which are mostly self-penned. The Shrewsbury Lasses are instantly recognisable by their brightly coloured pinafore dresses and often the flash of a garter. They dance in a range of styles including handkerchief, short stick and garland dances. Their repertoire includes several selfcomposed dances in the traditional style as well as a selection of dances from around the country. Shrewsbury Bull & Pump Morris Men dance in green waistcoats, white shirts, brown breeches and green socks, apparently taking their inspiration from the Shropshire fields and hedgerows in spring. They dance vigorous stick dances based on traditions from the Welsh Borders, as well as some more traditional Cotswold Morris and dances. Shrewsbury Clog have developed a unique style of performance featuring clog and step dances from across the country, involving a range of styles and music. In 2019, with funding from Arts Council England and Shrewsbury Town Council, Shrewsbury Morris worked in partnership with Thingumajig Theatre to build Septimus the Giant Shrewsbury Cobbler. He is accompanied by colourful flags, dances and music and provides quite a spectacle.