History of the Belles & Broomsticks Morris Side
Traditionalists we are not!
The first Belles got caught up in the modern revival of Morris dancing. The roots of Morris dancing in Guernsey date all the way back to 1984 - the year in which the Belles &Broomsticks first appeared in front of the island's intrigued and bemused populace.
The lack of established local tradition proved not so much of a handicap but rather a golden opportunity to take the best elements of traditional English dance - most especially the Cotswold traditions - and develop them to create a performance style that is identifiably Morris whilst remaining distinctively our own..
The lack of established local tradition proved not so much of a handicap but rather a golden opportunity to take the best elements of traditional English dance - most especially the Cotswold traditions - and develop them to create a performance style that is identifiably Morris whilst remaining distinctively our own..
Belles & Broomsticks, along with visiting UK sides, have become a regular feature of the island's life. Despite the constraints involved in travelling away from our tiny island paradise, we try to undertake at least one 'foreign' tour each year. The rarity of these trips makes them particularly special for us and dancing in England, Wales, France and our neighbouring islands has provided us with countless amusing moments along with many of the highlights in the side's 25 year old history.