Dodworth-based Silkstone Greens Morris dancers won a trio of trophies at this year’s Whitby Folk Week including the coveted Golden Clog.

The annual week-long event marked a triumphant return for Silkstone Greens’ 30-strong team of dancers and musicians, who last performed at the festival in 2010.

Showcasing their skills at iconic landmarks around the seaside town, including the historic bandstand and the Captain Cook Memorial Monument overlooking the harbour, the team were easy to spot in their distinctive purple and green sashes, straw boaters, and leather clogs.

Their hat-trick of Whitby wins saw them scoop the Dance Adversity Challenge with a fine display of general knowledge and folk dancing trivia, a dance-off with Warwickshire-based Chinewrde Morris to claim the Golden Clog, and a circus themed fancy dress competition for their take on ‘The Ministry of Silly Walks’ from Monty Python’s Flying Circus.

Silkstone Greens were founded in 2009 and dance in the traditional North-West Morris style of straight lines, sharp turns and high knees.

After a packed summer of events, which also saw Silkstone Greens appear at the Inter Varsity Folk Dance Festival in Sheffield, Rochdale Folk Festival and the Barnsley Festival of Natural Art, the team now turns its attention to practice season in preparation for 2023’s summer festivals.

They practice every Thursday from 8pm to 10pm at Dodworth Methodist Church, near Barnsley. They are always keen to welcome new members and will be hosting open evenings on 15th, 22nd and 29th September.

Find out more at https://www.silkstonegreens.org.uk/