The dances performed by Mockbeggar Morris usually originated from the local area or have been composed by group members. They are performed by 4-12 ladies carrying hoops, short sticks, hankies, or twizzles (see photos). In some dances nothing is held. The dances consist of a selection of basic dance moves fitted together in different combinations and danced in either rant step or a type of skip.

Sticks Hankies Twizzles

One of the first dances learnt by the group was Hepple. This dance was given a public airing on 13/07/1992 at the 3 Stags in Bebington. Hepple is for 8 ladies who dance to the tune of 'Winster Gallop' using a skip step and hankies. The dance starts with a chorus followed by 6 figures. Each figure is separated by the chorus (a bit like a song). The dance takes about 4 minutes to perform.

picture - step up in chorus (to be inserted).

The most popular Mockbeggar dance (or the one performed most often by the group) is Abram. It is a circle dance from a small village near Wigan (Gt. Manchester). It's popularity arises from it's simplicity to learn and is performed at the start or end of nearly every practice or 'dance out' session.

picture - skipping round in a circle. (to be inserted).

The Abram dance is associated with the presevation of a small area of land in the village of Abram known as the morris dancing ground. It is said that if the dance is not preformed on this ground once every 21 years, the right to dance there is lost. If you are interested in reading more about the history of Abram's morris dancing ground there is an article in the summer 1991 edition of the EFDSS magazine "English Dance & Song".

The most prized dance in the mockbeggar collection is Willisaton Green. It was written by one of our own talented ladies Mrs Jenny Morris and this is what she said about writing it:
"Willaston green was made up because I wanted us to have our own dance which was personal to our side. Willaston is, of course ,where we meet and the figures are made up from other moves I have seen and liked the look of. The tune " Lass of Richmond hill" was one I liked and had the "lollopy" style I wanted. It also fits the figures well."

Please investigate the following links which will appear sometime in the distant furture. These will list the dances performed by our group, explanation of dance moves and the different steps used in all the dances performed. A bit of a nightmare for me but hopefully useful to you.