Back in the days of”normal “ life with no social distancing, masks or lockdowns we spent our Thursday evenings performing at various local spots with our Morris friends from other teams. In Leeds we met Paul Cheese, a touring cyclist who was recording Sounds of Britain. Delighted to say we feature in his video,https://youtu.be/hh3oOYgmidE" target="_blank"> https://youtu.be/hh3oOYgmidE

At this time of year, The Buttercross Belles would be looking forward to spending Thursday evenings in June and July, dancing out at pubs, parks and other venues, in the company of dancers from other Morris teams.

Sadly that won't be possible this year. We're looking forward to being back out dancing in summer 2021 and hope to see you then.

Although sadly there could be no community dancing at Otley's historic Maypole this year, The Buttercross Belles, Otley’s north west Morris team, together with dancing friends from Wayzgoose, found other ways to mark and celebrate May Day. The Maypole, at Cross Green was decorated with flowers by dancers on their daily exercise. A few Belles were up before dawn, in their gardens or taking a walk with their household, to dance up and welcome the summer sun in the traditional way in Otley, Shipley and Spofforth.

More Belles up and down the Wharfe and Aire valleys joined in later in the morning, dancing at home. Homemade maypoles were constructed and lego models made, to celebrate the traditional customs in new ways.

Jaci Bowman, the Buttercoss Belles’ Squire, said ‘This was a very different May Day for all of us. Although we couldn’t dance together, the Belles and friends from Wayzgoose found inventive ways of coming together and marking the day. We look forward to dancing out before too long and gathering at the Otley Maypole to celebrate in a more traditional way next May.’

Although sadly there can be no community dancing at Otley's historic Maypole today, Buttercross Belles, together with dancing friends from Wayzgoose, have been finding other ways to mark and celebrate May Day.  The Maypole, at Cross Green has been decorated with flowers by dancers on their daily exercise.  A few Belles were up before dawn, in their gardens or taking a walk with their household, to dance up and welcome the summer sun in the traditional way.  Buttercross Belles will also be dancing at home at 11 am.

The Buttercross Belles, Otley’s North West Morris women’s dance team, is holding FREE taster sessions on Thursday 19th and 26th September 2019 from 7.30-9.30 pm.

We meet for practice every Thursday during term time at St Joseph’s Primary School in the centre of Otley (Manor Square, LS21 3AP).

Come and try some stepping and learn a dance or you can join in the band. Musicians, men as well as women, are very welcome too.

It’s great fun and fantastic exercise. You don’t need any previous experience.

We enjoy dancing and playing music locally and at events further afield. Find out more about us at: www.buttercrossbelles.com

Interested in giving it a go? Contact Jaci Bowman: [email protected] and come along to a taster session if you can.

The Buttercross Belles invite everyone to come and join us for our popular community May Day event at the Otley Maypole, at Cross Green, Leeds Rd, Otley.

There will be lots of opportunity for everyone, children and adults alike, to join in the dances with colourful ribbons to celebrate the 1st of May in the traditional way.

The Belles will also entertain with some demonstration dances.

We will be at the Maypole in the evening from 6 to 7.30 pm, do come and join us.

There was an excellent turnout for this year’s May Day celebration at Otley Maypole, and the sun came out too. Children, parents and the Town Mayor all enthusiastically joined in the dancing, making patterns around the Maypole with the colourful ribbons.

The dancing was introduced by the Otley Bellman and led Otley’s women’s Morris side, The Buttercross Belles. The Border Morris side, Wayzgoose, also joined in the dancing, and the afternoon ended with a May Day Mummers play performed by Otley Players.

Jaci Bowman, The Buttercross Belles Squire, said

‘The Belles would like to thank everyone who helped with this annual community event, especially The Town Council, Billy Butlin from Otley builders, Houldsworth, who put up the ribbons for us and Jamie Hudson from Futurist who kindly lent us a mobile microphone so everyone could hear the dance instructions.

This year’s May Day was particularly special for the Buttercross Belles as we are celebrating 25 years of dancing. On Friday evening current and ex-Belles dancers and musicians gathered at the Black Horse Hotel for a re-union. We had a very happy time sharing our dancing experiences, with former Belles travelling from as far away as Switzerland and France to join us’.

 

The Buttercross Belles spent a very enjoyable three days dancing in Vilnius, in Lithuania this May. As well as dancing in some lovely places, with friendly and appreciative audiences, there was also time to explore the wonderful Old Town (a World Heritage Site), with its wonderful baroque churches, beautiful squares, steets and courtyards, and lovely wooded setting.

Thank you to the Vilnius Tourist Information Bureau and friends in Vilnius for their help in organising our visit.

The wet weather did not dampen the enthusiasm of the children and parents who turned out to join The Buttercross Belles, to celebrate May Day in the traditional way, dancing at the Otley Maypole. The Otley Bellman announced the event and the Mayor of Otley handed out sweets to all the children who took part.

Buttercross Belles member, Serena Hardman who led the dancing said:

‘It was a lovely occasion due to the willingness of the children, and their parents to get involved. Their smiling faces and enthusiastic skipping whilst making patterns with the colourful ribbons made the event a real success.

The Belles would like to thank everyone who helped with this annual community event, especially Billy Butlin from Otley builders, Houldsworth, who put up the ribbons for us and Jamie Hudson from Futurist who kindly lent us a mobile microphone so everyone could hear the dance instructions.’