Founded in 1949, Jockey Morris is celebrating its 75th anniversary in style this month with performances in the heart of Birmingham city centre

So… who knew Morris dance was a tradition going back 75 years in Brum? No neither did we, but a chat with the crew at Jockey Morris soon set us straight. The club is celebrating its special landmark this year in the only way it knows how – with a special dance event in Birmingham city centre on 12 October with guests attending from across the Midlands. And as the club’s Squire (that’s Chair to the rest of us) Peter Austin says: “Having lots of fun, too.”

Jockey Morris was formed in 1949 and has represented dancing and the city of Birmingham in places as far flung as France, Flanders, Cyprus, Holland and Germany, as well as nearer to home here in the UK. “We like to keep our national folk tradition alive both at home and abroad,” explained Peter.

The club’s founder Gwen Johnson was a member of the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS), and she formed Jockey Morris after becoming unimpressed with the standard of Morris Dancing in general and in Birmingham in particular. Inspiration for the club’s name came from Jockey Road, Sutton Coldfield where Gwen lived. The distinctive rosettes worn on members’ kits are taken from the Sutton Rose motif and the Blue Baldricks are from the colour associated with the City of Birmingham.

ALL AGES

You may think that Morris dancing is only associated with the period around May Day. You’d be totally wrong, as it’s a form of dance that’s practiced, perfected and performed all year round. You may also be under the misapprehension that it appeals to a certain (more mature) age group. Again wrong! Jockey Morris has members from all walks of life from students and professionals, right up to a sprightly 80-year-old. Peter said: “If you can walk, we can teach you to dance!”

Jockey Morris practice all year round on Friday evenings at Highgate Baptist Church, in Conybere Street. “After exerting ourselves in an energetic way for a couple of hours or so we then usually retire to the Lamp Tavern on Barford Street to refresh our weary bodies,” Peter added. While the dancing is key with ‘routines’ dating back many centuries, the social side is also important.
Of his own background, Peter explained: “I’d always enjoyed folk music and when I came to work in Birmingham, I was looking for a social activity that appealed to my musical background and which was on a Friday night so I could unwind for the weekend ahead, and just have fun. I discovered Jockey Morris and have loved it ever since.”

ALL WELCOME

There are more than 600 Morris teams in the UK with nearly 18,000 members. As with all forms of dance, there are numerous traditional steps and performances to learn and follow, but that doesn’t mean Morris is rigid. “At Jockey, we’ve added our own and I’ve even written some dances myself,” said Peter, who also serves as secretary to one of the national Morris dancing organisations.
Brummies will get the chance to see Jockey Morris celebrate its 75 years in style this month with anniversary performances around the city centre, including at New Street station and outside the library. Go watch them in action, and you may just be tempted to join Jockey yourself. As Peter says: “Everyone is welcome. It should be a great day.”