Dance Teams
South Zeal is lucky to have two Morris Dance teams, Tinners Morris and Cog & Wheels. They appear every year at the festival as well as being joined by invited teams. Both are very welcoming to new members. If you fancy having loads of fun whilst getting fit click on their links to get in touch.
Dance Teams 2025
Cogs & Wheels Ladies Morris were formed in 1995. We take our inspiration from Finch Foundry in Sticklepath and the surrounding Dartmoor landscape. Our costumes reflect the hues of the moor and our Beldames style of dancing is quite distinctive. Our original team of ten has grown each year and although some are relatively new to Morris dancing we believe that our enthusiasm and joy for the dance overcomes all obstacles!
Twenty years ago, after seeing the success of Cogs and Wheels, a group of lads were coerced into the Morris by Mike Palmer. As a surprise to everyone, Tinners is still going strong-ish. We are a group of local friends committed to the tradition of dancing; with some energy, whilst having fun and giving entertainment to audiences. We are proud to represent North Dartmoor and to regularly support the Dartmoor Folk Festival which remains the very best in the country.
It's good to see some of the younger generation in the Side, but we are always looking for new local fellas to join the merry crew.
Formed in 1951, Exeter Morris is the oldest established side in Devon and are members of the Morris Ring of England. Each summer, in our distinctive black top hats, green waistcoats and black britches or skirts with bells at the knees or on our shoes, Exeter Morris dance in towns and villages throughout Devon. With effect from the Autumn of 2022, Exeter Morris became a mixed side, the first in Exeter, welcoming both men and women as new members. Exeter Morris perform mostly Cotswold Morris dances and have a repertoire of about 40 dances.
Meavy based Dartmoor Border Morris are a family based, fun loving mixed Morris side that dances with much enthusiasm & sound turned up to 11! Our colours represent the scenery of Dartmoor, with blue sky, green grass, purple heather, yellow gorse & black peat. Look out for a sheep painted on our right cheek too!
Spawned from the coal mines of south Middlesex in 1994, Thrales is a sword dance team from the London borough of Southwark; bringing culture and enlightenment to the congestion charge zone and beyond!
