Welcome to the website of Nancy Butterfly, a ladies Morris Dance side who are based in the Redditch and Bromsgrove areas of North Worcestershire.

For more information about us and our style of dancing go to the 'About Us' page. See some videos here.

If you would like to see us dance check our Events Calendar. If you are interested in joining as a dancer or (experienced) MUSICIAN(m/f), you would be very welcome to see us when we perform, visit us when we practise, or contact us.

We can be booked for certain events but please check our calendar and the About page for our requirements.

Visit our Facebook page

nancy butterfly colourful skirts and clogs

NEXT EVENT(s):

T.B.A.

lots of practice in the meantime! Check the Calendar for dates and times.

This is a great time for new members to join us! Prospective dancers and musicians don't hesitate to get in touch.

We dance out at different venues on Monday evenings during the Summer. Please check the events calendar to see where we are meeting.

Please note our Monday evening practice venue is Catshill Methodist Church Hall, 66 Golden Cross Lane Catshill B61 0LG

PREVIOUS EVENTS

Lichfield Festival of Folk (L2F) 14th October

dancing in the procession with the cathedral prominent in the background — photo thanks to Steve

dancing a figure in the procession from the Cathedral — Processing in the sunshine!

dancing in the Market square in front of an appreciative crowd — Great to see so many happy spectators enjoying all the wonderful entertainment provided by dance sides from different styles and traditions.

dancers casting long shadows in bright autumn sunshine — It always seems to be sunny in Lichfield when Nancy Butterfly are in town!

dancers with lake, trees and cathedral as a backdrop — Even the cathedral wanted to join in the fun

dancers with legs raised high in 2 lines — More 'flamingo' than 'flamenco'!

dancing in a circle on a traditional stone set street — Nancy Butterfly thoroughly enjoyed the day's dancing, meeting other sides and the friendly people of Lichfield, and once again were very grateful to the organisers for their work, and for the invitation.We hope to be back next year.

Lots More Photos in the Gallery, many thanks to Mike for them, and his Trolley work!

Dance Out at the Three Kings, Hanley Castle, guests of Erstwhile Morris, 14th September 2023.

dancing the 'roundabout' in 'Alvechurch' — 'Roundabout' in 'Alvechurch'

dancing in front of tha very old Three Kings pub — A fantastic setting for a Morris gathering!

two rows of 4 dancers with sticks at shoulder height — impeccable lines!

3 pictures of the other participating groups

Dance Out at the Coach and Horses Inn, Weatheroak Hill with White Hart Morris 14th August

dancing in the garden of the Coach and Horses

9 dancers lined up ready to dance holding their flower garlands

nancy butterfly dancing with an audience including white heart morris dancers watching on

Severn Valley Railway, Day of Dance, July 29th

dancing on the platform at Hampton Loade as a train steams in from the opposite direction

dancer standing in front of an engine in the shed

dancing on the platform but watching the edge

Dancing in the Engine House

Avoncroft Museum of Buildings, Bromsgrove

dancing on a damp day amongst historic buildings

black adder morris dancing in front of the 'string of horses' building at Avoncroft — Thanks to Black Adder Morris for inviting us to dance with them at this fascinating venue!

More photos in the gallery.

Bish Bosh Bash! Summer Fete at Bishampton Villages Hall

The 'Bish Bash Bosh' is a wonderfully traditional Summer Fete in a very attractive setting on the edge of Bishampton in Worcestershire. Lots of friendly visitors made Nancy Butterfly very welcome and we enjoyed a wonderful afternoon's dancing.

audience participation lots of volunteers joining Nancy Butterfly — Lots of happy volunteers joined Nancy B. in dancing 'Abram Circle'

Volunteers enthusiastically joining in the dancing despite the heat — You can't see the heat, but it was hot! Which makes the number of volunteer participants all the more impressive, thanks for joining in the fun!

Shakespearience event, Studley

Nancy Butterfly were pleased to be able to support Aunty Jen Production's outdoor theatre event in Studley. We appreciated the amount of work that went into the day and wish the company success in progressing their very worthwhile project.

nancy butterfly dancing and being watched by White Hart Morris men

nancy butterfly dancers and band in action

Audience showing appreciation of Butterfly dancing — An enjoyable morning's dancing, great to see White Hart Morris men, still going strong
- and to enjoy their distinctive violin, pipe, and tabor band.

Stourbridge Day of Dance 2023

picture of Nancy Butterfly's clogs close up in action — Nancy Butterfly were delighted to be invited by Bedcote Morris to take part in their Day of Dance in Stourbridge. We had a full and fantastic day of dancing amidst lots of friendly dancers and spectators under brilliant Stourbridge sunshine!

Taking our turn to dance with two other morris sides — We enjoyed meeting up again with other morris sides, and it was great to see so much variety.

and version 2... Many thanks to John Harvey for these videos of 'Alvechurch'.

Dancing alongside the butchers window at Smithfield — A convenient place to dance for one dancer in preparation for a barbecue later!

A butcher's mannequin standing outside the shop — The stand-in 'squire' wasn't going to take any nonsense!

One of our former musicians now playing for Bedcote Morris — Nice to see Graham, one of our former musicians,
join in playing with us again.

Six dancers dancing 'Carr Lodge' — Thank you Bedcote for the invitation, (and the photographs),
we hope we can do it again next year.

Upton on Severn Folk Festival 2023

dancing in the arena — Our turn in the main arena! Dancing "Alvechurch"

dancing the dance Alvechurch — Blessed with glorious warm sunshine!

dancing in beautiful sunshine — A brilliant day's dancing, great to see old friends, and new - thanks Upton! Thanks to Mike for the pics.

Nancy Butterfly were pleased to support the Apple Day at Headless Cross Community Orchard

Lichfield Festival of Folk, October 15th

sitting with Penny Royal Dancers in front of the pool in Lichfield — With our friends 'Penny Royal Garland Dancers' during another fabulous day of dancing in Lichfield at the Lichfield Festival of Folk

dancing in front of the pool and cathedral Lichfield — Photo courtesy of 'Penny Royal Garland Dancers'

Bromsgrove Festival July 23rd

dancing in Bromsgrove High Street — Butterflies were delighted to contribute once again to the Day of Dance, part of the Bromsgrove Festival

Monday 27th June The Butterflies enjoyed an evening of dancing with the Alvechurch Morris Men at the Coach and Horses in Weatheroak.

the Butterflies posing with Alvechurch Morris men and visitors during their dance out at the Coach and Horses Weatheroak — Happy Butterflies, Alvechurch Morris men and visiting students from France at the Coach and Horses

Saturday 28th May. Nancy Butterfly enjoyed a super day of dance in Stourbridge thanks to Bedcote Morris!

dancing in Stourbridge — Dancing in the sunshine again

dancing in the sun at the Stourbridge Day of Dance — We really enjoyed dancing at several venues around town...

dancing in the street in Stourbridge — ....and meeting other entertaining sides!

having a rest between dances — Enjoying a well-earned rest!

More photos on our Facebook page

Video credit to John Harvey:

Saturday 30th April, Another fabulous day at the Upton on Severn Folk Festival!

dancing outside the kings head in upton on severn — Thanks to Alison for the pics

dancing in the main arena at upton on severn festival — Thanks to Alison for the pics

We joined Aelfgythe Border Morris for their Wassail in Alvechurch on Saturday 5th February 2022, a fabulous evening enjoyed by all!

Nancy Butterfly outside the Crown Inn Alvechurch during the Aelfgythe Morris Wasssail event

Nancy Butterfly dancing outside the Crown Inn Alvechurch during the Aelfgythe Wassail event

link to a superb film of the event produced by John Harvey

And here's Butterfly dancing 'Grenoside' at the Wassail - thanks to John Harvey for the video

October 2021 The Butterflies are finally out of hibernation and enjoyed our first dance out for months at the Lichfield Festival of Folk (L2F). For some their very first dance out ever!

'Lichfield L2F 2021'

dancing in one of Lichfield's city streets

ready to dance with the cathedral resplendant in the background

'Lichfield L2F 2019'

Nancy Butterfly in the Procession past the Cathedral

Nancy Butterfly dancing in front of the B&M store in Lichfield — Nancy Butterfly Morris Dancers had a great day of dancing again in Lichfield at the L2F festival. So good they even named a store after us!
We were very grateful for the help of several musicians from Beggar's Oak Morris, Pecsaetan Morris, Anstey Morris, and Kickin Alice Appalachian Step Dancers who helped us overcome a musical hitch!

'Apple Day'

Stroud Folk Weekend 2019 (more photos here)

lining up for their first dance of the day

dancing outside the subscription rooms in Stroud — Despite the heat Nancy Butterfly's new dancers enjoyed their first major dance out at the Stroud Folk Weekend on September 21st!

mass dance with all sides involved on the day — Nancy Butterfly had a great day of dancing on the 15th June. They had a warm welcome at the West Heath Community Centre in the afternoon at their Summer Fete. Then in the evening they were very happy to join Alvechurch Morris and guests to celebrate Alvechurch's 30th year of dancing.

Old Bull Inkberrow - June 3rd

Dancing in front of the timber framed Old Bull, home of the 'Archers' — Dancing in front of an appreciative audience at the home of the 'Archers'. Thanks to Alvechurch Morris for the invitation.

Practice at the Cross Inn, Finstall

Amazing evening light shining on the background behind nancy butterfly dancers — What an amazing evening sun-lit backdrop to the practice at the Cross Inn. And the dancing was good too!

Old Hare and Hounds

dancing outside the hare and hounds rednal at nightfall — Nancy Butterfly entertaining at the Hare and Hounds in Rednal, Birmingham, with Alvechurch Border Morris

Upton on Severn Folk Festival
Nancy Butterfly paid their annual visit to the Upton on Severn Folk Festival on the 4th May.

dancing 'petals' in a narrow street in Upton on Severn — A first outing for the 'Petals' dance

The Upton on Severn Folk Festival were celebrating their 30th Anniversary this year. Nancy Butterfly have been attending since the very early days. Here's the 1995 team in action in the 'Arena':

Butterfly in the parade at Upton in 2005 — And 10 years later in 2005 during the parade:

Stroud Wassail 2019!

a good crowd enjoying nancy butterfly dancing in the church

taking a bow in church — Another great day out in Stroud. Thank you Wassailers!

dancing down the aisle of the church — thanks to Mike for the pics

2018

Lichfield Festival of Folk 2018
Another great day at the Lichfield Festival of Folk. Great weather, great organisation, great crowds, and lots of friendly Morris sides! A few more photos here.

butterflies on parade — In the parade from cathedral to city

dancing in the streets of Lichfield — Dancing outside the George Hotel!

Stroud Folk Weekend

happy smiling faces from the team — Despite the damp weather Nancy Butterfly enjoyed themselves at the Stroud Folk Weekend on September 22nd. Thanks to the organisers, and to Kate Davies for the photographs. You can see a few more photos from Kate here. And look at her website here.

team mid dance with spectators sheltering from the rain behind

Bromsgrove Festival - Day of Dance

dancing in a sunny bromsgrove high street — Sunny Bromsgrove High Street

dancing in the busy high street in Bromsgrove — Entertaining shoppers in the High Street

Bromsgrove Festival - at the 'Bowling Green', Stoke Prior

lengthening shadows as Step on Board perform their Appalachian dances — Hats off to 'Step on Board', our partners for the evening!

Nancy Butterfly in action on the car park! — Car Park put to good use.

At the 'Country Girl' Selly Oak, Birmingham

dancing in the car park in front of the Country Girl Pub — Another day another car park!

Blackadder Morris and members of Nancy Butterfly encouraging pub visitors to dance along with them — Our hosts Blackadder Morris and pub visitors join in the fun

Weighbridge beer festival, Alvechurch

'Night Dancing on Weatheroak Hill!' (thanks for the title and photos Mike)
A fun night as guests of Alvechurch Border Morris at the Coach and Horses Inn Weatheroak.

dancing outside the coach and horses inn. It is getting dark but illuminated by lights from the inn.

Alvechurch Morris dancers in action with sticks at the ready — Hosts Alvechurch Morris in action.

Butterflies lining up in two sets of three for a dance. — Our thanks go to the Alvechurch band for stepping in
and saving the day, in classic 'the show must go on' tradition,
when some of our musicians were not able to play at the last minute.

Great day at the Upton on Severn Folk Festival again, made even better by the fantastic weather.

line of bags with nancy butterfly decoration hanging from a picket fence in Upton — this weeks caption competition....

the band — the 'band' failing to disguise themselves

nancy butterfly dancers walking in in a line ready to dance — the starting lineup for 'Alvechurch'

dancing west haughton — 'West Haughton' in progress.

dancers and musicians group photo — End of day 'Survivors' photo

nancy butterfly performing in the display 'arena' — Nancy Butterfly dancing in the Display Arena.

Thanks to Anita and Mike for their photos. More photos of the day, including some of the other sides involved, can be seen here.

Nancy Butterfly braved the rain to dance in Bromsgrove High Street during celebrations for St George's Day 2018.

The team:

Selfie Snap #photobooth back in #bromsgrove High Street today for the #stgeorgesday celebrations. We had #fun in the #sun and the rain! Thanks to all you stopped by to be snapped. #friendsstjohns #bromsgrovesociety #betterbromsgrovesnaps #community #heritage #familyfun #photoboothfun #history #sharethelove #lovelocal #nancybutterfly #morrisdancer www.nancybutterfly.co.uk

A post shared by Selfie Snap Bromsgrove (@selfiesnapbromsgrove) on Apr 21, 2018 at 1:03pm PDT

Super day at Stroud Wassail, January 13th, with dozens of other Morris sides! Cheers to Styx Morris for inviting us to dance.

(Their facebook page)

Nancy Butterfly in full flow

in front of costa stepping out During the parade Stroud Wassail meeting local fauna

We're not sure about the wildlife hereabouts!

more photos from the day here. Thanks to Steve Yates for all the photos.

Dancing at the Lichfield Festival of Folk, October 2017

3 Cheers to 3 Spires Morris for inviting us to dance at the Lichfield Festival of Folk! A great day,with great people, and great weather. We had great fun!

Dancing at 'speakers Corner' Lichfield the band The band

One of the side find their spiritual home! Jules in front of Joules shop In the parade in front of the Cathedral

More photos here.

Dancing at the 'Camp', Grimley, with Alvechurch Morris, and Old Meg July 2017

Dancing in front of the Camp Pub, Grimley

A warm sunny evening at the Camp Pub in Grimley near Worcester, guests of Alvechurch Morris.
Even the Peacock on the roof was impressed!

@Old Meeg' Morris dancers at the Camp Grimley

Alvechurch Morris sunlit in front of the Camp Pub

Dancing at the 'Country Girl', Selly Oak, Birmingham, with Blackadder Clog Morris, July 2017

dancing in front of a young audience at the Country Girl pub

new 'recruits' dancing along with the side

Thanks to Blackadder Morris for sharing in a fun evening, and to the staff and customers of the 'Country Girl' for entering into the spirit of the event!

Nancy Buitterfly dancing 'Grenoside' at the Country Girl

Dancing in Witney, Oxfordshire, guests of Mason's Apron, June 2017

Dancing at Coggs Manor Farm Witney in front of impressive thatched building Group photo in Witney

Dancing in Marriots Walk Shopping Centre Witney Selection of photos of Nancy Butterfly in action

A wonderful day's dancing with Mason's Apron, Hazzaz Bellydancers, and the Vale Islanders.

Lots of photos jn the gallery here.

Dancing at The Swan, Chaddesley Corbett, with Sedgley Morris, guests of Alvechurch Morris, May 2017

Dancing in the light of the setting sun

Dancing off into the sunset! Thanks to Alvechurch Morris for the invitation.

but you can't feel how cold it was alvechurch morris in full flow

A few more photos here

Upton Folk Festival 2017

Early birds! First side to start dancing - who would have thought?

Nancy Butterfly dancing riverside at Upton

Nancy Butterfly dancing with double ended sticks.

More photos here

First Event 2017 - Avoncroft Museum Bromsgrove -"Wassail"!

Butterfly dancing with red handkerchiefs in Guesten Hall Nancy Butterfly dancers holding up bright red handkerchiefs during a dance at Avoncroft Butterfly dancing on the tiles of Guesten Hall Avoncroft Museum man in mediaeval costume leading the Wassail at Avoncroft with a drum Nancy Butterfly dancing with hoops in the Guesten Hall at Avoncroft Museum