RATTLEJAG MORRIS

Reviving the dances and music of the North Shires

By Jayne Rose

Rattlejag Morris is a mixed dance side formed in January 2002 with the aim of reviving and developing a dance tradition based in our own local area.  Using material initially collected from East Yorkshire as a starting point and also our own material from local research into dancing in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire we have set out to revive and then develop our own locally based dance tradition.

We perform morris dances with rattles and sticks and also broom, bacca pipe and sword dances amongst others which are unique to our group and we are continually developing new dances based on our squire, Chris Rose's, research. We use many local tunes rarely heard or music written to suit a particular dance.  For more information on our historical material, our dances, our music and where to see us, please visit our website - where you can also hear clips from our music CD, also available via the website www.rattlejagmorris.org.uk.

2012 is our 10th birthday - and you can come and see us, and maybe even join in the revelry, at many places across Nottinghamshire, from dawn on 1st May at Laxton castle mound, to Cleethorpes and Southwell Folk Festivals, our own birthday Weekend of Dance celebrations from 6th-8th July with guest teams at various Notts venues, to local pubs, community, Cultural Olympiad and heritage events - check out dates and venues on our website.

Rattlejag is a lively, friendly morris dance side - we practice at Grove Street Methodist hall, Retford, DN22 6LB, on Mondays from 8.30 pm (September to April) and we welcome new dancers and musicians from across the region – no previous experience necessary.  Our members range from teenagers to all ages of adults (but we would like a few more men, just for balance, you understand!).  If anyone is interested in knowing more, please contact Jayne at enquiries@rattlejagmorris.org.uk or on 01522 703510 or visit the website at http://www.rattlejagmorris.org.uk/