About us
Ely & Littleport Riot Border Morris is a Fenland morris side who perform traditional and original dances in the Border style. Although we were formed as an all female side, in 2019 the decision was made to welcome dancers of all genders, so no matter what your gender, race, religion or sexuality, the side would be delighted if you would like to dance with us.
In early 2024 the decision was made to change the kit to reflect a more modern sensibility, and to allow each dancer more input into their own costume. This new kit was introduced to the world on Mayday morning 2024, causing a seismic shift in the look of our photos. Let’s hope it heralds another thirty years of enthusiastic dancing.
We were formed over 30 years ago and in that time we have danced the length and breadth of the UK and parts of Europe. We are regulars at the Ely Folk Festival where we can be seen hard at it hosting the many morris sides from around the UK and helping to promote the festival the weekend before at Ely market square.
For up-to-the-minute info and social media instant messaging, we are elyandlittleportriot on both Facebook and Instagram:
Ely and Littleport Riot on Facebook
Ely and Littleport Riot on Instagram
The Ely and Littleport Riot are named after the bread riots of 1816 that spread from Littleport to Ely. On the second day of rioting terms were offered and accepted at Ely market square but ‘free beer’ and a celebration encouraged a minority to continue rioting. The riot was eventually quelled by the First Royal Dragoon Guards, the Royston Troup of Volunteer Cavalry and local militia. In all twenty four rioters were prosecuted and sentenced, five were hanged, nine were deported to Botany Bay and the rest received jail terms of one year. Soon after, those serving a jail sentence were also transported to Australia. A memorial to the five hung can still be seen on the side of St Mary’s church tower, Ely.
The Border style of dancing performed by the Ely and Littleport Riot originates from the Welsh border with England and can be traced back to the counties of Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire. The Border tradition of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries included blackfaces, use of bells and costume often consisting of ordinary clothes decorated with ribbons, strips of cloth, or pieces of coloured paper.
Though the kit of Ely and Littleport Riot has changed three times now, we have carried our story through every variant. The black of our outfits represents the dark Fenland soil. The blue represents the wide, endless Fenland waters and skies, and the red tells of the bloody revolt and clamor of the riots for which we were named.
There are Traditional Border Dances and Contemporary Border Dances. The dances performed by the Riot are a mixture of traditional and self penned, both ancient and modern. The dances include both stick and hankie where chorus, figures and heys blend to provide a colourful spectacle. Often the dances will reflect a local element, Aldreth Mill and 1816, our signature dance, being two such examples.
The Riot can be booked to dance out throughout the year for any good cause or charity event, or for any mutually agreed venue such as festivals or gatherings organised by other Morris sides. We charge for appearing at large professional events, but our rates are negotiable for charities. The Riot is often to be seen dancing locally with their good friends from the area, Sutton Masque (another mixed Border side) and Coton Morris, a mixed Cotswold Morris side. Generally dancing out is during the summer and practice during the winter, although practice is often interrupted by an enthusiasm to dance out again, Whittlesea Straw Bear being a regular winter event.
The Riot can field a veritable feast of music with a wide variety of instruments creating a vibrant musical environment with which to drive on and encourage the dancers.
We are always looking for new dancers to join in keeping this local Morris side alive and to enjoy ourselves in the process. No dance experience is necessary, you will be taught all that you need to know; only enthusiasm is required.
If you are interested in joining, or simply finding out more, either make yourself known to one of the dancers or musicians or contact us with your enquiry.
Contact Details
Contact Shelagh
Email: contact@elriot.co.uk
Ely and Littleport Riot 