We're far to busy dancing so we don't update the website on a regular basis. In fact it has been sadly neglected for about 4 years. We are now on a mission to update it with current information. but while this is happening please be aware that Unexpected Quirks are being found and dealt with by our Quirk Removal Squad as we speak. If you happen to see a Quirk, please do not approach it, as they are prone to spontaneous combustion, but contact our Site Quirk and Unexpected Interference Team (SQUIT) as soon as possible.
About Pretty Grim Border Morris
Based in Snape, Suffolk, Pretty Grim Border Morris is a traditional dance side performing in the Welsh Border tradition. Formed in November 1999, Pretty Grim is a mixture of experienced dancers and new faces to Morris, brought together by a band of excellent musicians. Our dancing is exuberant and somewhat frightening, with plenty of noise and lots of laughter. We like to mix traditional Border dances with those written by members old and new, and this is reflected in our diverse range of tunes. Drums, big sticks and whooping add to the noise and atmosphere, as, of course, does the cheering from an ever-enthusiastic audience...
All this is set off by our eccentric, but none-the-less beautiful, costume, which combines a traditional tatter jacket with formal hats, corsets, masks, face paint and big boots, all in a menacing black and purple. Dance outs take place throughout Suffolk and wider East Anglia, but we have been known to venture further for special events including Rochester Sweeps Festival, Sherringham Lobster Potties Festival, Frost Vandoorn Fest, St Neots Festival, Ely Folk Festival, Faverhsam Hop Festival, Folk East, Tenderten Folk Festival...
Are you feeling pretty grim? Join us, and dance away those blues... purple and black are much more interesting...
All this is set off by our eccentric, but none-the-less beautiful, costume, which combines a traditional tatter jacket with formal hats, corsets, masks, face paint and big boots, all in a menacing black and purple. Dance outs take place throughout Suffolk and wider East Anglia, but we have been known to venture further for special events including Rochester Sweeps Festival, Sherringham Lobster Potties Festival, Frost Vandoorn Fest, St Neots Festival, Ely Folk Festival, Faverhsam Hop Festival, Folk East, Tenderten Folk Festival...
Are you feeling pretty grim? Join us, and dance away those blues... purple and black are much more interesting...
What is Welsh Border Morris Dancing?
As the name suggests, Welsh Border Morris Dancing hails from the border between England and Wales, from villages in the counties of Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire. Many traditional dances were collected by Cecil Sharp in the early twentieth century, and the tradition was revived in the 1960s and 70s, and has grow in popularity ever since. The style is characterised by tatter jackets (jackets or waistcoats with strips of fabric sewn on), stick-clashing and black or covered faces. This differs from the more well-known Cotswold style, whose white shirts and hankies may spring to mind when the words 'Morris Dancing' are heard.
We used to follow the full-face black face pain tradition which has its origins in disguise and is absolutely nothing to do with race or skin colour. Dancers would cover their faces with soot or burnt cork (freely available as most people had fires) and dance for money when work was short. Begging was illegal so disguise was essential. Many modern sides have expanded upon this theme, and wear face paint of all colours and masks.
We are no longer able to use full face make up, as advised by The Morris Federation: “Any solid full face coloured make up which could be taken by an observer as likely to imitate or parody a skin colour different from your own.” We now use a mixture of masks, and partial face paint in shades of purple and black and leave it to members of the team to create their own individual look. Many of our photos on this website are historical and included people with full-face black make up. This is in no way meant to cause any offence or distress, but is purely a historical record and should be recognised as such.
We used to follow the full-face black face pain tradition which has its origins in disguise and is absolutely nothing to do with race or skin colour. Dancers would cover their faces with soot or burnt cork (freely available as most people had fires) and dance for money when work was short. Begging was illegal so disguise was essential. Many modern sides have expanded upon this theme, and wear face paint of all colours and masks.
We are no longer able to use full face make up, as advised by The Morris Federation: “Any solid full face coloured make up which could be taken by an observer as likely to imitate or parody a skin colour different from your own.” We now use a mixture of masks, and partial face paint in shades of purple and black and leave it to members of the team to create their own individual look. Many of our photos on this website are historical and included people with full-face black make up. This is in no way meant to cause any offence or distress, but is purely a historical record and should be recognised as such.
