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:
Chippenham folk festival 2026
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 currently practice Fridays (Thurdays from Jan 2027) 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 end 2026 (except Fri 30 Oct 2026 which will be at B&A hall -see below) then on Thursdays until the end of April 2027. If you didn't make it to a taster session, you can join at a later date. Let us know you are coming. Until end 2026 at Kelvin Players Hall, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8NY (Gloucester Rd entrance). From Jan 2027 our practice hall will be B&A Hall Brynland Ave, Bishopston, 5 mins walk from the Kelvin Players Hall
This is why we are called Pigsty Morris!
Kelvin Players hall is in 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.
Ring bell marked 'Hall Activities' (oddly enough not the bell marked 'Morris room') From Jan 2027 the practice hall will be along the road at B&A hall, Brynland Ave BS7 9DU (on Thursday evenings 7:30pm)
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.
Tue 18-Aug-2026 Dance out with Kitiwake and Heaps morris at The Farm, St Werburghs 7pm
Sep 2026
Sun 06-Sep-2026 Ashley Vale Allotment Show. 1pm. Adjacent St Werburghs city farm
Fri 18-Sep-2026 Taster Session 7:30pm-9:30pm Kelvin Player Hall
Fri 25-Sep-2026 Taster Session 7:30pm-9:30pm Kelvin Player Hall
Sat 26-Sep-2026 City Clickers dance out with many other sides. Westbury Park Pub and Kitchen BS9 4HP. 4-6pm
Oct 2026
Fri 02-Oct-2026 Taster Session 7:30pm-9:30pm Kelvin Player Hall
Sun 18-Oct-2026 Horfield organic community orchard Apple Day 3pm Photo
Nov 2026
Sun 01-Nov-2026 Samhain Festival Bridge Farm Frenchay 4pm
Dec 2026
Jan 2027
Sat 16-Jan-2027 Horfield organic community Wassail pm
Sun 17-Jan-2027 Wassail Brislington Orchard afternoon
Sat 23-Jan-2027 Hillfields Community Wassail Fishponds pm
Feb 2027
Mar 2027
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 pigstymorrisdancers@gmail.com to see if we are available for your event. 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,rag-jacket making, job desciptions, constitution)
Enter password (Hint: 2026/7 younger foreman's first name, case specific then press login):
login
(Brandon Hill 04:30 at dawn!! Tues 01 May 2018)
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Chippenham folk festival 2026
Kelvin Players hall is in 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