Preserving England’s Traditional Dance Heritage Since 1972

About White Hart Morris Men

White Hart Morris Men preserve and perform traditional Cotswold Morris dances throughout Worcestershire, Warwickshire and beyond. We dance with pride, passion and precision, bringing centuries-old traditions to life in the historic market town of Alcester and surrounding communities.

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Who We Are

White Hart Morris Men form a Cotswold Morris dancing side inspirerd by traditional morris sides that has preserved England’s cultural heritage for over five decades. We were established in 1972 in Headless Cross, Redditch, taking our name from the historic White Hart Inn. We relocated to Alcester in the early 2000’s where we continue our mission of maintaining traditional Morris dancing for future generations.

  • Cotswold Morris specialisation across multiple village traditions.
  • Weekly practice sessions with expert mentoring for new members
  • Regular performances at festivals, community events and seasonal celebrations
White Hart Morris Men - A group of people dressed in traditional folk costumes, some holding musical instruments, pose for a photo outside a stone building.

Our Story

White Hart Morris Men were founded in Headless Cross, Redditch in 1972 by Morris dancing enthusiasts determined to preserve traditional English folk dance. White Hart Morris Men help communities connect with their cultural heritage whilst providing contemporary entertainment through authentic Morris dancing traditions. We have grown from a small local group to recognised performers across the Midlands, maintaining our commitment to traditional dance forms whilst welcoming newcomers to learn these ancient skills.

  • 1972: White Hart Morris Men established in Headless Cross, Redditch
  • 2004: Relocation to Alcester, expanding our community presence
  • 2022: Celebrating 50 years of preserving traditional Morris dancing heritage
New dancers and musicians welcome – no experience necessary

Meet Our Team

The Squire

Traditional Morris Side Leader
The Squire leads White Hart Morris Men through our dance calendar and maintains our traditional standards. The Squire coordinates our performances across Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, ensuring each event showcases authentic Cotswold Morris traditions. The Squire works closely with the Foreman to help new members to develop their skills and understanding of Morris dancing heritage.

The Bagman

The Bagman manages White Hart Morris Men’s bookings, communications and member coordination. The Bagman handles enquiries from potential members and event organisers, maintaining our calendar of performances and practice sessions. The Bagman ensures smooth operations across all aspects of our Morris dancing activities.

The Foreman

The Foreman manages the teaching of White Hart Morris Men’s members, ensuring that new and existing dancers develop their skills with confidence. The Foreman leads practices, introduces newcomers to the fundamentals of Cotswold Morris, and refines the team’s performance quality. Working closely with the Squire, the Foreman upholds the team’s traditional standards while nurturing the next generation of dancers and preserving the living heritage of Morris dancing across Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.

Dance Musicians

Traditional Music Specialists
White Hart Morris Men’s musicians provide authentic accompaniment for all our performances using traditional instruments. Our musicians understand the specific musical requirements for each village tradition we perform, from Adderbury to Headington styles. The musicians work with dancers to maintain the rhythm and character essential to authentic Morris dancing.

Our Values and Approach

  • Heritage Preservation: We maintain authentic Morris dancing traditions collected from historic Cotswold villages
  • Community Welcome: We welcome dancers of all abilities with supportive mentoring and instruction
  • Cultural Sharing: We perform at diverse events to share Morris dancing with wider communities
  • Traditional Standards: We uphold authentic dance forms, music and presentation methods
  • Generational Teaching: We pass traditional knowledge to new dancers through structured learning
White Hart Morris Men - Two people dressed in traditional white costumes with hats and ribbons perform a stick dance outdoors, while a crowd watches in the background.
White Hart Morris Men - Six men stand outdoors near a church, five in traditional Morris dancing attire with bells and sashes, one holding a drum, and another in a red jacket holding a tambourine.

Why Choose White Hart Morris Men

  • Authentic Traditions: We perform genuine Cotswold Morris dances from documented village collections
  • Experienced Performers: We bring over 50 years of Morris dancing expertise to every event
  • Flexible Booking: We perform at festivals, weddings, community celebrations and private functions
  • Professional Presentation: We maintain traditional costume and musical standards for all performances
  • Local Heritage: We represent authentic English cultural traditions rooted in the Midlands region

Our Community Impact

White Hart Morris Men contribute to local cultural life through regular performances at community festivals, May Day celebrations and seasonal events across Warwickshire and surrounding counties. We support local venues through summer practice sessions at area pubs, bringing traditional entertainment to community spaces whilst maintaining our practice schedule.

  • Partnership with Alcester War Memorial Town Hall for regular practice sessions
  • Annual May Day dawn performances celebrating seasonal traditions
  • Support for local festivals and fêtes throughout the Midlands region
  • Mentoring programmes welcoming new dancers to Morris dancing traditions


Our Credentials and Recognition

White Hart Morris Men maintain active membership in the Morris Ring, the UK’s oldest national Morris dancing organisation established in 1934. We participate in regional Morris festivals including the annual Day of Dance in Stratford-upon-Avon and Vale of Evesham National Morris Weekend. White Hart Morris Men have performed for over five decades, establishing ourselves as respected ambassadors for traditional Cotswold Morris dancing across the Midlands and beyond.

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White Hart Morris Men - A newspaper page features photos of a VE Day event, including a wreath laying at a war memorial, a military ceremony, and traditional Morris dancers performing.

Frequently Asked Questions About White Hart Morris Men

We welcome dancers of all abilities and provide comprehensive mentoring for newcomers to Morris dancing traditions.

We practice every Monday from 7:30pm to 9:30pm at Alcester War Memorial Town Hall between September and April, with summer sessions at local venues.

We perform at festivals, weddings, community celebrations, pub events and private functions across Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and beyond.

Contact our Bagman at info@whitehartmorrismen.info or telephone 07841 087669 to discuss performance requirements and availability.

Interested in joining or booking? Get in touch with our team

Get in Touch with White Hart Morris Men

White Hart Morris Men welcome enquiries from potential new members and organisations seeking authentic Morris dancing entertainment. We respond promptly to all enquiries and provide detailed information about our services and membership opportunities.

Team Contacts

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White Hart Morris Men send updates about upcoming performances, practice schedules and morris events throughout the year. Our newsletter includes details of local festivals, workshop opportunities and invitations to special celebrations where White Hart Morris Men perform. Subscribe to stay connected with traditional morris dancing in Alcester and receive advance notice of our community events, guest appearances and seasonal dance occasions.

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