KENT KORKERS & PORK SCRATCHIN'S MORRIS SIDES
KENT KORKERS & PORK SCRATCHIN'S MORRIS SIDES
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KENT
KORKERS LADIES AND PORK SCRATCHINS MEN'S MORRIS SIDES
TEAM
HISTORY
The
Kent Korkers Ladies Side was formed in 1982 and is named after a Kentish
sausage made by Hoads, hence the symbol of a sausage on our badges. The
ladies' kit is a white blouse, black/red/yellow sash, bright red and yellow
tattered waistcoat, red flat shoes and black skirt which is decorated
differently by each person.
The
Pork Scratchins Mens side was formed in 1989 by many partners of the lady
dancers feeling very left out! The Pork Scratchins are named after a
well known pub snack and many of the men's' dances have been named after food
available in pubs. The mens' kit is a black top hat (decorated), white shirt,
black waistcoat with a piglet emblem, leg bells and black trousers.
The
band comprises of accordion, melodeon, drum, flute/recorder and tambourine
players. They support the teams, with some dancers doubling as
musicians.
The
group has become known nationally for its repertoire of original dancers that
are (generally) performed with vigor. The ladies stepping is based on
traditional North West style (normally danced by other team in clogs) whilst
the men's is of Border origin. Many of the dances performed by the teams are
the result of their own research, watching moves from other dances and
creating different interpretations of dances. The ladies have a
repertoire of 25 dances, using different dance 'equipment': sticks, twirlers
and hankies. Generally the men dance with sticks and have a repertoire
of 12 dances. In addition the two sides perform Maypole dances during the
early season. We also dance as a mixed side when our numbers are particularly
low.
We
practice in Dartford on a Monday evening between 8.00 and 10.00.
If
you would like more information (to book us or join us) - please contact our
Secretary on
morris@kentkorkers.co.uk
We
are always looking for new dancers and musicians.
DANCING
SEASON
The
dancing season generally starts with May Day celebrations and lasts until the
beginning of October. Bookings for the dancing season vary each year with
festivals, fetes, charity events, pub stands and weekends away, if invited by
other sides. In the last couple of years links have also been made with a folk
dance team from Germany. They have visited us twice in England and we
have traveled to Germany. Korkers and Scratchins have appeared on TV on
several occasions; the latest appearance was on BBC1 Bargain Hunt which was
shown in May 2002.
The
side provide a lot of dance performances in aid of charity. Fees may be
paid to the side for some bookings and at the end of the season the side
decides which charity they would like to give money to (if funds allow). Money
collected during the year is also used to replace dance equipment and pay for
hire of dance practice facilities. In the past we have donated to amongst
others:
Greenwich
and Bexley Hospice
Joyce
Green Hospital
Alzheimer's
Disease Dartford Group
Macmillan
Nurses
Muscular
Dystrophy Local Group
Catholic
Children's Society
In
the last 10 years we have given in excess of £5000 to the BBC Children in
Need Appeal.
Over
the years we have danced at a wide variety of events including:
Folk
festivals throughout the Country
Country
Shows and Craft Fairs
Weddings
Surprise
Birthday Parties
Pubs
(no surprise there!)
Old
Peoples Homes
Schools
Uniformed
organizations
International
Guide Camps
Health
and Fitness Fairs
Numerous
National Trust and English Heritage properties
To
name but a few...!
During
the winter months i.e. October to April we spend Monday evenings (our practice
night) learning new dances and practicing existing dances. The musicians
also attend practice nights, as they too need to keep practicing and learning
new tunes. We do also dance out during the Winter but these stands are few and
far between. This means October to April is a good time to join the
team, in time to be dancing out the following Summer season.
The
sides have a Constitution and are run by a Committee elected every October
with the posts of:
Forewoman
and Assistant Forewoman (teach and research Ladies dances)
Foreman
and Assistant Foreman (teach and research Men's dances)
Secretary
(takes bookings, co-ordinates available dancers)
Treasurer
(keeps tally of incoming and outgoing monies)
Stand
Liaison (acts as link person at large stands)
Band
Leader (leads the musicians and comes up with new tunes)
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