Conwy Morris Collection

This collection includes Minutes, Correspondence, Scrapbooks, Conwy Morris Itinerary Booklets, Publicity and Newspaper cuttings, details of their kit specifications and choreography of tradtional Morris dances.

Originally formed as a Morris Ring and therefore an all-male team, they first danced in public on May Day 1979. Brian Gregson, a former member of the Leyland Morris Men set up the team when he moved to North Wales. The side performed dances in various traditions of Morris Dancing wearing trim on their kit of red, white and green to reflect the colours of the Welsh National Flag.

A separate Ladies team first danced in July 1981, as members of the then Women's Morris organisation and whilst dancing jointly, each side performed its own dances. Eventually the lack of men caused the merging of the two sides and the beginning of mixed dancing with the team becoming members of the Open Morris.

As the Conwy Morris was based in a tourist spot they were able to entertain visitors from all over the UK and overseas. They embarked on dancing tours to Ireland, Netherlands, France, Norfolk Broads and on the River Thames.

They danced chiefly traditional dances but choreographed some of their own, notably the 'Conwy Tunnel' for the opening of this structure in 1991 where they performed it in the presence of Queen Elizabeth.

By October 2005 the team number had dwindled and finally disbanded in October 2006. Former members Richard and Anna Scott, purchased most of its assets with all the monies going to local charities. They displayed the paraphernalia, photos and mementoes in a room dedicated to the history of the Conwy Morris and Morris dancing in general at the Tal-y-cafn public house of which they were proprietors.

In its time the Conwy Morris danced over 51 dances in 18 years and collected nearly £20,000 for charity. One hundred and fifty people had been members at one time or another between May 1979 and October 2006.

This collection is open for research. Access to some documents may be restricted due to Data Protection legislation, Conwy Archives will advise where this is the case. For details and opening hours see http://www.conwy.gov.uk/en/Resident/Libraries-Museums-and-Archives/Archives/Archives.aspx.