Anniversary tour takes local dancers back to their northern roots

A visit to the North West of England took Kingsteignton-based Raddon Hill Clog Morris back to the industrial mill towns where their dancing originated in the early 19th century.

As part of their 35th anniversary celebrations the side visited locations in Lancashire and Cheshire, toured a working mill and danced with a local clog morris side.

Squire Simon Davies said: “Wherever we stopped off in the North West we were met with such warmth and friendship from the people we encountered.

“We had a fantastic time, visited some wonderful places and hopefully showed that North West clog morris dancing is alive and kicking in Devon.”

The weekend tour in mid-August began at the British Commercial Vehicle Museum in Leyland, where theRaddon Hill side performed amongst the museum’s collection of historic buses, lorries and even a Popemobile.

The following day they performed at pubs in the industrial mill towns of Clitheroe, Littleborough and Uppermill.

In Wilmslow, Cheshire they visited Quarry Bank Mill, a National Trust industrial heritage site. After dancing in front of the historic mill building, the side saw the harsh conditions endured by mill workers during the period when their dances originated.

The weekend’s final dance was at a pub in the Cheshire village of Mobberley, where Raddon Hill performed with a local side, celebrating their connection with the North West clog morris tradition.

Anyone interested in finding out more about Raddon Hill Clog Morris is invited to come and try the dances for themselves.

A taster session is being held on Tuesday, October 6 at Kingsteignton Community Hall, at 8pm. Beginners are welcome, and there is no need to have previous experience of morris dancing.

The side will practise weekly in the hall until the end of April, and will then take their dancing out to pubs, festivals and events across the local area.