We are a dance group based in Bishopston, Bristol, UK. Our dances are lively
and energetic, designed to entertain and attract today's audiences, but
with their roots in traditional English morris dancing. We dance
regularly in the Bristol area, but also perform at venues around the
country and further afield.
Morris dancing gives you a great opportunity to enjoy yourself while keeping
fit, meeting other people, touring the country and getting involved in community events, festivals, street entertainment, television - you name it, morris dancers have been there! Lots of people are natural dancers,
but modern life may offer relatively few accessible dance opportunities - morris is one. There are very few pastimes that combine a really good social life with a rewarding and challenging activity - the chance to
travel and the option of getting involved in local events in your home area. Besides, if everyone knew about the free beer and the cut-price festival tickets...
New dancers:
May 2023 Bradford-on-Avon Green Man Festival
If you enjoy ceilidhs, barndances or other forms of dance, then morris dancing could be for you. We welcome adults with any amount of (including no) experience. All genders and ethnicities are welcome.
Best to wear loose or stretchy clothing and trainers. We practice Friday evenings 7:30pm for a couple of hours.
Weekly sub £3
Why not join us (Beginners best join in the Autumn). We practise almost all Fridays until the end of April. Let us know you are coming. At Kelvin Players Hall, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8NY (Gloucester Rd entrance). Details below.
Location: Kelvin Players Hall
which is at 'Pigsty Hill', Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8NY Map
Corner of Gloucester Road (A38) and Wesley Road,
numerous buses to 'Hatherley Road' stop from south or 'Nevil Road' stop
from north. Bikes can be left inside.
Dance events
Most of the events we perform at are in the Summer months (see our Programme
for 2026 below). In the winter, we usually dance at a couple of wassails. Over the summer months, we are busier, and dance at festivals, fêtes and other community events. We meet up with other morris sides, sometimes for a whole day of dancing, sometimes just for an evening at a local pub. People choose the 'dance-outs' they like ,and you can do as many or as few as you want.
Most dancing takes place in the summer - our programme shows you our dance schedule for 2026.
We're currently taking bookings for 2026. If you would like to book us for an event, see our booking details below
Apr 2023 Old Green Tree Pub Bath. Photo Marcus Good
Jan 2026
Sun 11-Jan 2026 Brislington Wassail !!TICKETS SOLD OUT!! 14:00hrs to 16:00hrs
Sat 17-Jan 2026 Horfield Organic community orchard by ticket 14:00hrs
Sat 24-Jan 2026 Chepstow Mari Lwyd & Wassail all day
Feb 2026
Sat 07-Feb-2026 Blackhorse Community wassail Emersons Green 15:00
Mar 2026
Apr 2026
Thu 16-Apr-2026 Dance out with Molly No Mates & Radstock. The Ostrich, Bristol Harbourside 19:00
Thu 23-Apr-2026 St Georges day dance with Somerset Morris. The George & Dragon Pensford pm.
May 2026
Fri 01-May-2026 May Day Dawn Dance. Brandon Hill Bristol 04:30hrs-06:30hrs approx.
Fri 15-May-2026 with Rag Morris at The Black Horse Clevedon lane pm
Sun 24-May-2026 Chippenham Folk Festival all day
Sat 30-May-2026 Newport Sea Shanty Festival with Isca morris all Day.
Jun 2026
Sat 06-Jun-20026 Bristol Day of Dance with NYFTE et al all day
Wed 10-Jun-2026 dance out with Winterbourne Down B Morris at The Fox at Oldown
Sun 21-Jun-2026 Midsummer dance. The Druid's Arms, Stanton Drew pm
Jul 2026
Sun 12-Jul-2026 Priddy Folk Festival all day
Aug 2026
Sep 2026
Oct 2026
Nov 2026
Dec 2026
by Steve and Helen Jones 2015
Bookings
We are always interested in dancing at any event - however big or small, and
wherever it is located. Apart from events like fetes and festivals, we have performed at social and charity events, danced in schools and old folks' homes, danced in Trafalgar Square, Bath Abbey and street parties, just to name a selection! Please contact us at pigstymorrisBristol@gmail.com to see if we are available for your event, or ring 07508 216811 if you don't have e-mail access. We like as much notice as you can give us - so contact us now to avoid disappointment!
Horfield community orchard apple day Jan 2023( Photo John Mildenhall)
What is morris dancing?
Morris dancing is a general term for any
of many sorts of traditional English ritual dance. The earliest records
of morris dancing are only a few hundred years old, though some would
have you believe that it's definitely pagan. There are many theories
regarding its origin - generally tenuous in nature. Whatever the origins
of morris are (and we may never know), the most important thing is that
it does not become preserved as a 'museum piece', but lives and
continues to evolve. Of the many forms of dance, Pigsty Morris dance
Cotswold Morris - which is characterised by vigorous movements,
accentuated by the waving of handkerchiefs, the clashing of sticks, and
the ringing of bells tied to the legs.
One of earliest paintings:Detail from 'Dixton Harvesters' 1720 Anon, Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum
Morris dancing is an ever-evolving tradition and although some of what you see in Britain today has developed from material collected about a century ago, many Sides (including Pigsty) also write new dances using the tradition as a basis, but not restricted by it. Nowadays, people of all ages, identities and backgrounds and from all walks of life take part in and enjoy morris dancing.
Contact details
If you would like:
* information about morris dancing in general
* to talk about joining us or other groups
* to enquire about booking us for any event
Password protected Pigsty Dancers' Resources (notation, videos and Caroline's rag-jacket making)
Enter password (Hint: foreman's first name, case specific then press login):
login
(Brandon Hill 04:30 at dawn!! Tues 01 May 2018)
........
May 2023 Bradford-on-Avon Green Man Festival
which is at 'Pigsty Hill', Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8NY 
Apr 2023 Old Green Tree Pub Bath. Photo Marcus Good
by Steve and Helen Jones 2015
One of earliest paintings:Detail from 'Dixton Harvesters' 1720 Anon, Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum
2013