Treacle Eater Clog

A Potted History

 

Treacle Eater Clog is a North West Morris dancing team, based in Yeovil, Somerset, England. We were founded in 1983, largely by members of Queen's Delight, a Cotswold Morris team, which has since folded.


Although we're based in the South West, our dances have their roots in the industrial North West of England - hence 'North West' Morris.

As a reminder of this history, the dancers all wear red clogs with bells. However, one of the strongest elements of the tradition in the North West was having one's own dances which no other team had. Treacle Eater have followed this and now perform some traditional dances alongside those written by current and former members of Treacle Eater Clog and other teams with which we have had links.


Our name, Treacle Eater also has some history behind it. Just south of Yeovil is Barwick Park, once the 'big house' round here. In its grounds are four follies. The largest and most ornate of these is Jack the Treacle Eater. For more information about the follies, see Fabulous Follies website. Jack is supposed to have been the messenger for the family who owned the house and is said to have run to London with messages, sustaining himself on black treacle. The team's colours of RED, BLACK and GOLD reflect those of a well known brand of treacle!




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