Bullnose have danced at major and minor festivals and events all over the UK and parts of Europe since forming in 1988.   Their dancing is mainly in the Cotswold style though some Border and Appalachian dances are occasionally performed.  (Click on picture to see our album.)

They meet in Vange, on the outskirts of Basildon, Essex on Tuesdays and spend the summer weekends dancing with other Morris sides at festivals, ales, events and pubs.

New dancers are always welcome to come and try.

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A year in the life of Bullnose Morris (by Glenn Holman)

Bullnose Morris was formed in 1988 as a mixed side performing Cotswold morris dancing.  Since then the side has continued to develop and we now have an integrated ladies Appalachian side, the ‘Bullnose Tappets’ and an informal ceilidh band ‘Rat on a Stick’, mainstays of many Leigh Folk Festival events.  Our membership comes from all walks of life, we currently have an ex-fireman, (now editor of a popular quarterly folk magazine!) a postman, an artist, an orthoptist and teachers of many hue, all initially coming together through their interest in dance, but now firm friends.

Personally, I have been dancing now for 24 years and that's a lot of Tuesday evenings devoted to practise!  When I talk to non-morris friends about it, they often have a very limited view of what I do and why I do it.  Sure, the dancing is an important part of it, but it is the social side of things and the travel that really make it all worth while.  It's fair to say that many of the most interesting people I have met and the closest friends I have made (including my 'significant other'!) have come through my involvement with The Morris.  It has also taken me to a great many places in the UK I would not have otherwise visited, as well as taking me abroad to dance on occasion.

Each year we do 15 to 20 events. We regularly dance at the Rochester Sweeps Festival in May, the traditional start of The Morris year; the Morris Federation AGM in a different part of the country each year; Broadstairs Folk Festival; Theberton in Suffolk; New Hall wine festival at Purleigh; as well as dancing locally with other morris sides and as guests to other Morris dancers 'weekends of dance' throughout the country. 

We have danced on the continent with several town twinning events but one of the most exciting things we did in recent years was to dance in Germany at Paderborn as guests of the British Army.  The 20 Armoured Brigade has been based in Paderborn since the end of the war and was being given the freedom of the city.  To celebrate they arranged a weekend long 'British Festival' to give the locals a flavour of all that puts the great in Great Britain.  This obviously included morris dancing and we are already looking forwards to returning in 2007 for the next festival.

As well as the dancing, there have been a whole host of purely social events which was kicked off by a News Years Eve party.  From that point on we have had curry nights, Proms in the Park, the dogs, (Greyhound racing, not 'going to'!) trips to the theatre, any excuse for a party, including a cocktail party that was still going strong at 4 in the morning and weekends away.  We also had our annual Bullnose holiday, a week long camping trip that takes us to a different part of the country every year and this year took us to Chester.  A big part of our holidays is to find the most bizarre museums we can, which so far has taken us to the 'Pencil Museum', the 'National Lobster Hatchery, 'Pilchard World' and the "Salt Museum'!  Unfortunately we missed out on 'Barometer World'!

We are always looking to recruit new dancers so if you like the sound of what you have read here, why not give it a whirl?  We practice each Tuesday evening in St Gabriel's Church hall in Pitsea from 8.00 till 10.00 p.m., followed by a well deserved drink at a local pub.  To be a part of a successful morris side you have to be prepared to make a commitment of time and energy, but for this you are richly rewarded.  You may not have any experience at all or may be someone who wants to return to dancing after a break.  Whichever, you’re assured of a warm welcome and supportive instruction.  Why not give up some of those long drab winter evenings to come and join us without obligation and give The Morris a try? 

MEMBERS DIARY