The side was formed in 1971 out of High Melton Morris, a side based at High Melton Teacher Training College between Wath and Doncaster.
Green Oak came via Doncaster (The Yorkist PH), Bentley (Reform Club), Tickhill (Red Lion Inn) back to Doncaster (St. George's church hall) in 1983. The hall is adjacent to the Minster Church of St. George, whose accounts listed items given to the local Morris dancers in 1557. As with most twentieth century 'Cotswold' Morris sides, Green Oak trace descent from Headington Quarry Morris.
Headington informed the English Folk Dance Society (1911), whom begat 'the old' Ripley Morris (1924),
whom begat Foresters Morris (1952). Foresters (Cotswold) and Folk Union One (Sword) begat Green Ginger Morris (1968), whom begat High Melton Morris (1969).
The prime mover behind HMM & Green Oak was Paul D Davenport, stalwart of the seventies and eighties folk research scene. Paul was an ex-Green Ginger man and started a side with some other High Melton students. Present Green Oak musician and HM College alumnus Mick was amongst them.
An offshoot of Green Oak was Cheswold Morris. Cheswold was started in 1977 by a number of disaffected Green Oak men and others. They practised at the Corporation Brewery Taps PH in Doncaster, and danced in the Sam Smiths Brewery colours of black, white and old gold. Cheswold folded circa 1983.
A selection of photos taken from past:
Headington informed the English Folk Dance Society (1911), whom begat 'the old' Ripley Morris (1924),
whom begat Foresters Morris (1952). Foresters (Cotswold) and Folk Union One (Sword) begat Green Ginger Morris (1968), whom begat High Melton Morris (1969).
The prime mover behind HMM & Green Oak was Paul D Davenport, stalwart of the seventies and eighties folk research scene. Paul was an ex-Green Ginger man and started a side with some other High Melton students. Present Green Oak musician and HM College alumnus Mick was amongst them.
An offshoot of Green Oak was Cheswold Morris. Cheswold was started in 1977 by a number of disaffected Green Oak men and others. They practised at the Corporation Brewery Taps PH in Doncaster, and danced in the Sam Smiths Brewery colours of black, white and old gold. Cheswold folded circa 1983.
A selection of photos taken from past:
