Alive and Kicking is a mixed Morris side, formed in 1992, dancing in the traditional North-West style. Our colours, chosen from the Maldon crest, are royal blue, with gold and white.

North-West Clog Morris was established in the cotton mills and other factories of Cheshire, Lancashire and West Yorkshire.  This was a new form of the original Morris, brought from the countryside during the mass migration of the industrial revolution.  It incorporated the clogs that were originally used for solo step dancing on factory flagstones.  Gradually it developed into a processional style, often with brass bands accompanying the teams.  Some of the dance patterns and arm movements imitate the motion of the mill machinery, such as the criss-crossing of the shuttles in a loom. Decorated cotton bobbins, plaited ‘ropes’ and flowery garlands are used in the dances.

The dances were often performed during the annual holiday week – Wake’s Week – and at church festivals.