A TEAM of Kendal-based morris dancers picked up three awards in a national competition with their Lake District-themed routine.

Crook Morris won all three of their nominated categories at the 2014 ‘Dancing England Rapper Tournament’ (DERT) in Leeds.
 

Crook dance mainly Cotswold and Border Morris, but have recently dipped their toes into the waters of Rapper Sword dance.
 

Rapper sword dancing originates from the mining areas of the North East of England, and is danced in a small space using flexible steel ‘swords’.
 

Crook went to DERT in Burton-upon-Trent last year to observe and to get the feel of the event, and this year made the decision to enter.
 

A new dance was devised for the contest, featuring a ‘lock’ of 10 swords.
The day saw teams perform in six pubs in front of two judges, representing Kendal and the Lake District.
 

Their Lakes theme was delivered by Pauline Woods-Wilson, dressed as an early mountain climber, and included references to the Lakeland Mountains, Scafell Pike, Windermere, Castlerigg Stone Circle and Kendal mint cake.
 

Samples from Romney’s of Kendal were also supplied to the audience.
 

Crook won the Best Newcomers prize, the Sword Dance Union prize (for the team not dancing rapper as a main tradition) and also came away with the first prize in the “Open” category, beating several well-established rapper teams.
 

Mrs Woods-Wilson said Crook Morris were left ‘in a state of shock and total euphoria’ by their victory.