Saddleworth Rushcart, a weekend celebration when teams (or sides) of traditional Morris dancers from around the country get together, had an unplanned hiatus this year. I’ve been meaning to share a gallery of the hats the performers wear which, as you’ll imagine, fascinate me.
Some Morris sides use artificial flowers, which must be lighter to dance in, but while they look good, my favourites are the real ones. Many Morris dancers make their own designs using glads, mums, roses, carnations and even hydrangeas, combined with the heather that flowers on local moorland for good luck.
The hats are finished with decorative hoops, ribbons or feathers.
The hats are finished with decorative hoops, ribbons or feathers.
The Saddleworth side uses real flowers and a competition takes place to choose the best hat. The desire to keep the hats on while bouncing around always gives the performers a thoughtful air which dissolves to smiles whenever the hats are safely on the ground.
Susan Rushton 
What a dazzling display and what a marvellous old tradition to honour.
I’m glad you liked it.
I like the flowery hats, very colourful, and I love the little dog but I’m afraid I can’t get interested in the dancing. I always think there’s something rather odd about grown men dressing up in frilly shirts and long socks with bells round their ankles, prancing about and waving handkerchiefs 🙂
I would never have gone left to myself, but it’s firmly marked on my sweetheart’s calendar. It’s actually a great weekend.
Thank you for another wonderful post! I love seeing the flowery hats, and the dancers! But my favorite photo is the man in the rag coat. What a warm and mischievous smile! Such a charmer! Brightens up the whole day!
I rarely take pictures of people, but you can’t resist at an event like this.
What a great way to have a flower show! I have heard of Morris dance but I guess I’ve never seen pictures of it. Today is Labor Day here in the US of A, and these photos seem the antithesis of labor. I know work goes into such a celebratory day, but it looks like pure fun.
I did have to laugh at the confused grasshopper; I hope he found his way.
They drag a man on a cart piled high with straw around neighbouring villages and up a big hill, so some labour is involved. I’m surprised I haven’t posted pictures of the cart – one for another day!
Yes, please!
These are amazing. Do you know about the Courir de Mardi Gras — the rural Mardi Gras — in Louisiana? There are some photos here, on my blog. The strips of cloth sewn on the Morris Dancers and the Mardi Gras celebrants are remarkably similar. There’s some history on my blog that suggests a connection going back to early France. I can’t help wondering if the same dynamic underlies the Morris Dance costuming.
I hadn’t heard of that, but the ragged costumes are similar. I liked the idea the French ones were mocking the aristocracy.
Those are some hats! Those dancers sure look lively.
It’s very colourful and good humoured.
I have recently discovered that Morris dancing may have originated in the dancing of the Moorish population living in Southern Spain in the 10th and 11 the centuries. Seems incredible for something so very English.
There are lots of stories but I’m not sure anyone knows. A bit like the Green Man. I always think it’s a pity our literature doesn’t go back all that far. You might find this link interesting:
https://www.rattlejagmorris.org.uk/history-of-morris-dancing
Interesting! Thanks.
Wow! Never heard of this, thanks for sharing, really enjoyed the colourful pics 👌
My pleasure!
A fine photographic record
Thanks, Derrick.
Such amazing colors! The flowers are almost alive. The photo of the colorful hat with the rag coat is a true winner. Thanks so much for this wonderful post!
The rag coats are good when dancing too, with all the strips flying.
Such fun and so pretty. Moorish? I’ll check out those links
There are lots of theories but the winning one would have to include people enjoying good company – and an excuse to have a beer.