Crook Morris Dancers looking to keep tradition alive

The hope is to boost the number of people involved in Crook Morris Dancers, as well as reminding the community that the tradition is still alive.

It has become an annual event for the team, encouraging locals to try the niche hobby and potentially find a new skill.

Evie Jackson, one of the dancers, said: "We do this every September now and all we want is people to try something that is probably unusual to them.

"There's absolutely no pressure to join the team on a regular basis, just a chance to meet our friendly team."Crook Morris Dancers perform in Kendal earlier this year (Image: Evie Jackson)

Mrs Jackson joined the troupe when she was just 11 years old and has been dancing consistently with them at events ever since.

"We dance out on Mondays at local pubs to entertain the patrons whilst they're drinking," she said.

"But we also spend the majority of our time visiting folk festivals and the like up and down the country."

Crook Morris Dancers now have between 25 and 30 regular members, many of whom were recruited from past taster sessions.The group perform up and down the country (Image: Evie Jackson)

Mrs Jackson wanted to make it clear that the group is open to everyone, despite common misconceptions that it is a mainly male-dominated pastime.

"I do think that people still perceive it as Morris 'men', with some groups still going by that name," she said.

"We were once booked as 'Crook Morris Men' and we had to go up to the organisers and say: 'excuse me, there's plenty of women here actually'."

The session is taking place at Kendal Parish Hall on Saturday, September 16, with no prior experience necessary to get involved.

Both dancers and musicians have been encouraged to take part, with further information available here.