Crook Morris is a mixed group of morris dancers based at Kendal, Cumbria, UK. Formed in 1981 after some years as part of Crook Folk Dance Group, the side has become a familiar sight around the UK, at festivals including Fylde, Redcar, Upton-upon-Severn, Bridgenorth, Scarborough, Cleethorpes, Chester, All Around The Wrekin and abroad at Turretot (Le Havre), Amboise (Tours), Brantome (Dordoyne), Dingle (Eire) and La Trinite (Britanny). We dance traditional English morris dances from the Cotswolds and the Welsh Borders and we have a strong band of musicians including concertina, melodeon, drum, fiddle, banjo, accordion, guitar, saxophone and flute. Our kit comprises white collarless shirts, black breeches, one green sock and one burgundy sock, black shoes, bell pads of dancer's choosing, green and burgundy baldrick with crook motif, and straw hat with flowers.

Our repertoire consists mainly of Cotswold Morris dances, from a variety of village traditions, including Ilmington, Bledington, Lichfield and Adderbury in the English South Midlands, using either sticks or handkerchiefs. We also perform a selection of morris dances from the Welsh Borders, and have a rapper sword dance sequence, from north-east England, which makes an occasional appearance. We like to think of ourselves as a friendly team: while we try to perform the dances to the best of our ability, we also have a lot of fun and try not to take ourselves too seriously.
Until 2006 the highlight of our year was the renowned Crook Morris Weekend of Dance in late July, hosting some 150 guests on dance tours all around the Lake Windermere area and including good food, an occasional drink and great crack. Apart from dancing, we organise social events each year, from walks to barbecues, from holidays and parties to Christmas meals. We are a friendly, welcoming group who happily accept whatever level of involvement you might wish to contribute, so if you fancy keeping fit, making new friends and entering a different world of music and dance, then come and meet us.

We practise at Nether Hall in Kirkland, Kendal between 8 and 10pm on Mondays from October to March and we welcome new members, either dancers or musicians. No previous experience is necessary! The best time to join is in October when we have New Members' Evenings to learn some of the easier dances. Please contact one of us for more information. We have members of just about all ages and they come from an area spread among Kendal, Lancaster, Kirkby Lonsdale, Ambleside and Penrith. There are also occasional musicians' evenings. Between April and September we dance out at local pubs, generally on Monday evenings about twice a month and the occasional day tour, such as the Squire's Tour every September. We are also available for local functions such as fetes.