To most people, a Widder is slang for the infamous black widow spider, but to those who have seen us in action, a Widder is a strange-looking creature covered in coloured rags, wearing a top hat and waving a stick whilst jumping around frantically trying to dance border Morris.
The Widders are a Welsh Border Morris side from the Chepstow area. Chepstow is a border town on the estuary of the River Wye. Border Morris is a music and dance tradition originating from along the Welsh\/English border region many years ago.
Traditionally, farm workers, labourers, and village folk would go out and dance to earn extra cash to supplement their wages. This was seen as begging, which was illegal and was frowned on by their employers, the church, and local dignitaries. In order to save their embarrassment and to avoid possible arrest, the dancers disguised themselves.<\/p>"},"textColor":{"id":102089117,"value":"#{feature.text.color}"}}}],"properties":{"icon":{"id":102051799,"value":null},"title":{"id":102051800,"value":null},"backgroundColor":{"id":102051802,"value":"#{feature.background.color}"},"padding":{"id":102051806,"value":"6"},"fullWidth":{"id":102051807,"value":"0"},"fullBackgroundColor":{"id":102051808,"value":"#{feature.fullBackground.color}"},"published":{"id":102051809,"value":"1"},"conditions":{"id":102051810,"value":"[]"},"direction":{"id":102089067,"value":"column"},"textColor":{"id":102089068,"value":"#{feature.text.color}"},"buttonText":{"id":102089069,"value":null},"copy":{"id":102089070,"value":"
To most people, a Widder is slang for the infamous black widow spider, but to those who have seen us in action, a Widder is a strange-looking creature covered in coloured rags, wearing a top hat and waving a stick whilst jumping around frantically trying to dance border Morris.
The Widders are a Welsh Border Morris side from the Chepstow area. Chepstow is a border town on the estuary of the River Wye. Border Morris is a music and dance tradition originating from along the Welsh\/English border region many years ago.
Traditionally, farm workers, labourers, and village folk would go out and dance to earn extra cash to supplement their wages. This was seen as begging, which was illegal and was frowned on by their employers, the church, and local dignitaries. In order to save their embarrassment and to avoid possible arrest, the dancers disguised themselves.<\/p>"},"template":{"id":102089071,"value":"feature"}}},{"id":4264328,"type":"row","published":1,"size":{"x":12,"y":0},"order":1,"items":[{"id":4265225,"type":"grid","published":1,"size":{"x":12,"y":0},"order":0,"items":[{"id":4265226,"type":"pod","published":1,"size":{"x":12,"y":0},"order":0,"items":[],"properties":{"title":{"id":102082939,"value":null},"copy":{"id":102082940,"value":null},"media":{"id":102082941,"value":"image"},"image":{"id":102082942,"value":"{\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/images.podos.io\\\/scxdtc3qacl3uttnbntqcbsazoietwxdvyx8isonnxo1mzzm.jpeg.jpg?w=auto&h=auto\",\"alt\":\"\"}"},"video":{"id":102082943,"value":null},"autoplayInBackground":{"id":102082944,"value":"1"},"titleSize":{"id":102082945,"value":"1"},"overlay":{"id":102082946,"value":"1"},"href":{"id":102082947,"value":null},"borderRadius":{"id":102082948,"value":"#{image.border.radius}"},"overlayOpacity":{"id":102082949,"value":"0"},"overlayColors":{"id":102082950,"value":null},"overlayDirection":{"id":102082951,"value":"90"},"template":{"id":102082952,"value":"pod"},"padding":{"id":102082953,"value":"6"},"fullWidth":{"id":102082954,"value":"0"},"fullBackgroundColor":{"id":102082955,"value":"#fff0"},"published":{"id":102082956,"value":"1"},"conditions":{"id":102082957,"value":"[]"},"ratio":{"id":102082958,"value":"square"}}},{"id":4265227,"type":"pod","published":1,"size":{"x":12,"y":0},"order":1,"items":[],"properties":{"title":{"id":102082959,"value":null},"copy":{"id":102082960,"value":null},"media":{"id":102082961,"value":"image"},"image":{"id":102082962,"value":"{\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/images.podos.io\\\/py7hgkojtw9ejwcn2go9fpneajctrlupa5acbyzy8xhvdyia.jpeg.jpg?w=auto&h=auto\",\"alt\":\"\"}"},"video":{"id":102082963,"value":"#{video.default}"},"autoplayInBackground":{"id":102082964,"value":"1"},"titleSize":{"id":102082965,"value":"1"},"overlay":{"id":102082966,"value":"1"},"href":{"id":102082967,"value":null},"borderRadius":{"id":102082968,"value":"#{image.border.radius}"},"overlayOpacity":{"id":102082969,"value":"0"},"overlayColors":{"id":102082970,"value":null},"overlayDirection":{"id":102082971,"value":"90"},"template":{"id":102082972,"value":"pod"},"padding":{"id":102082973,"value":"6"},"fullWidth":{"id":102082974,"value":"0"},"fullBackgroundColor":{"id":102082975,"value":"#fff0"},"published":{"id":102082976,"value":"1"},"conditions":{"id":102082977,"value":"[]"},"ratio":{"id":102082978,"value":"square"}}}],"properties":{"breakpoints":{"id":102082936,"value":"{\"xs\":2}"},"padding":{"id":102082937,"value":"2"},"spacing":{"id":102082938,"value":null}}},{"id":4265228,"type":"textBlock","published":1,"size":{"x":12,"y":0},"order":1,"items":[],"properties":{"padding":{"id":102082979,"value":"2"},"html":{"id":102082980,"value":"
Widders Border Morris was created by a group of biker friends at Guildfest in 2001: Mike Lewis, Ness, Andy, Robin, Lyn, and Nipper. Mike and Robin came up with the name after a conversation about the 1978 film \u201cEvery Which Way But Loose\u201d as when they were younger they said they resembled the biker gang \u201cThe Black Widows\u201d in the film. They decided to form a Border Morris side and call themselves \u201cThe Widders\u201d which is local parlance for Widows. Mike and Ness came up with the kit idea and kit colour scheme. They would be based in Chepstow, so they decided to follow the Welsh Border Morris tradition.\u00a0
Their first practice session was at Lyn and Nippers\u2019 house. They used chopped-up broom handles for sticks, and Nipper provided the music on his Erica melodeon. Word got about, and they were soon joined by several others, including Dave, Mick\u2019s brother Terry, Tina, Charlotte, and Lindsay. Their first proper dance-out\u00a0 was at Tintern Carnival, where they led the procession and danced outside Tintern Abbey.\u00a0
Since that early day, quite a few have come and gone. Robin, Tina, Nipper, and Lindy have all sadly passed away now, all of them far too young to be gone. Rest in peace.\u00a0
In 2020, Mike retired and handed over to his brother Terry. We are a solid group who uphold and defend the ethos and principles of an important tradition.\u00a0<\/p>
Weem am The Widders! Join us! It\u2019s great fun!!!<\/p><\/blockquote>"},"textColor":{"id":102082981,"value":"#{feature.text.color}"}}}],"properties":{"icon":{"id":102051878,"value":null},"title":{"id":102051879,"value":null},"backgroundColor":{"id":102051881,"value":"#{feature.background.color}"},"padding":{"id":102051885,"value":"6"},"fullWidth":{"id":102051886,"value":"0"},"fullBackgroundColor":{"id":102051887,"value":"#{feature.fullBackground.color}"},"published":{"id":102051888,"value":"1"},"conditions":{"id":102051889,"value":"[]"},"direction":{"id":102082931,"value":"column"},"textColor":{"id":102082932,"value":"#{feature.text.color}"},"buttonText":{"id":102082933,"value":null},"copy":{"id":102082934,"value":"
The story so far\u2026<\/h2>
Widders Border Morris was created by a group of biker friends at Guildfest in 2001: Mike Lewis, Ness, Andy, Robin, Lyn, and Nipper. Mike and Robin came up with the name after a conversation about the 1978 film \u201cEvery Which Way But Loose\u201d as when they were younger they said they resembled the biker gang \u201cThe Black Widows\u201d in the film. They decided to form a Border Morris side and call themselves \u201cThe Widders\u201d which is local parlance for Widows. Mike and Ness came up with the kit idea and kit colour scheme. They would be based in Chepstow, so they decided to follow the Welsh Border Morris tradition.
Their first practice session was at Lyn and Nippers\u2019 house. They used chopped-up broom handles for sticks, and Nipper provided the music on his Erica melodeon. Word got about, and they were soon joined by several others, including Dave, Mick\u2019s brother Terry, Tina, Charlotte, and Lindsay. Their first proper dance-out was at Tintern Carnival, where they led the procession and danced outside Tintern Abbey.
Since that early day, quite a few have come and gone. Robin, Tina, Nipper, and Lindy have all sadly passed away now, all of them far too young to be gone. Rest in peace.
In 2020, Mike retired and handed over to his brother Terry. We are a solid group who uphold and defend the ethos and principles of an important tradition. <\/p>Weem am The Widders! Join us! It\u2019s great fun!!!<\/p><\/blockquote>"},"template":{"id":102082935,"value":"feature"}}},{"id":4264334,"type":"row","published":1,"size":{"x":12,"y":0},"order":4,"items":[{"id":4265335,"type":"grid","published":1,"size":{"x":12,"y":0},"order":0,"items":[{"id":4265336,"type":"pod","published":1,"size":{"x":12,"y":0},"order":0,"items":[],"properties":{"title":{"id":102085241,"value":null},"copy":{"id":102085242,"value":null},"media":{"id":102085243,"value":"image"},"image":{"id":102085244,"value":"{\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/images.podos.io\\\/wu17au9wv51nqljolg1foh12rmokgtfzjsczr7uxlokpw7rm.png.png?w=auto&h=auto\",\"alt\":\"\"}"},"video":{"id":102085245,"value":null},"autoplayInBackground":{"id":102085246,"value":"1"},"titleSize":{"id":102085247,"value":"1"},"overlay":{"id":102085248,"value":"1"},"href":{"id":102085249,"value":null},"borderRadius":{"id":102085250,"value":"#{image.border.radius}"},"overlayOpacity":{"id":102085251,"value":"0"},"overlayColors":{"id":102085252,"value":null},"overlayDirection":{"id":102085253,"value":"90"},"template":{"id":102085254,"value":"pod"},"padding":{"id":102085255,"value":"6"},"fullWidth":{"id":102085256,"value":"0"},"fullBackgroundColor":{"id":102085257,"value":"#fff0"},"published":{"id":102085258,"value":"1"},"conditions":{"id":102085259,"value":"[]"},"ratio":{"id":102085260,"value":"square"}}},{"id":4265337,"type":"pod","published":1,"size":{"x":12,"y":0},"order":1,"items":[],"properties":{"title":{"id":102085261,"value":null},"copy":{"id":102085262,"value":null},"media":{"id":102085263,"value":"image"},"image":{"id":102085264,"value":"{\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/images.podos.io\\\/lyzffx3mlkyvgfzmgmv9thnhcsfqmqbg4eqh9wi9psxrvdac.jpeg.jpg?w=auto&h=auto\",\"alt\":\"\"}"},"video":{"id":102085265,"value":null},"autoplayInBackground":{"id":102085266,"value":"1"},"titleSize":{"id":102085267,"value":"1"},"overlay":{"id":102085268,"value":"1"},"href":{"id":102085269,"value":null},"borderRadius":{"id":102085270,"value":"#{image.border.radius}"},"overlayOpacity":{"id":102085271,"value":"0"},"overlayColors":{"id":102085272,"value":null},"overlayDirection":{"id":102085273,"value":"90"},"template":{"id":102085274,"value":"pod"},"padding":{"id":102085275,"value":"6"},"fullWidth":{"id":102085276,"value":"0"},"fullBackgroundColor":{"id":102085277,"value":"#fff0"},"published":{"id":102085278,"value":"1"},"conditions":{"id":102085279,"value":"[]"},"ratio":{"id":102085280,"value":"square"}}}],"properties":{"breakpoints":{"id":102085238,"value":"{\"xs\":2}"},"padding":{"id":102085239,"value":"2"},"spacing":{"id":102085240,"value":null}}},{"id":4265338,"type":"textBlock","published":1,"size":{"x":12,"y":0},"order":1,"items":[],"properties":{"padding":{"id":102085281,"value":"2"},"html":{"id":102085282,"value":"
Where are we now?<\/h2>
At present, we are available to dance all over the country at various festivals and dance weekends.
We are based in the Chepstow area, which is on the estuary of the River Wye (Afon Gwy) and the River Severn. We have worked on new dances in the Border style, based on local places and industry.
The Widders have been instrumental in organising some new traditions in Chepstow, namely the Widders Weekend of Music and Dance and we are the hosts of the Chepstow Wassail and Mari Lwyd.\u00a0<\/p>"},"textColor":{"id":102085283,"value":"#{feature.text.color}"}}}],"properties":{"icon":{"id":102051957,"value":null},"title":{"id":102051958,"value":null},"backgroundColor":{"id":102051960,"value":"#{feature.background.color}"},"padding":{"id":102051964,"value":"6"},"fullWidth":{"id":102051965,"value":"0"},"fullBackgroundColor":{"id":102051966,"value":"#{feature.fullBackground.color}"},"published":{"id":102051967,"value":"1"},"conditions":{"id":102051968,"value":"[]"},"direction":{"id":102085233,"value":"column"},"textColor":{"id":102085234,"value":"#{feature.text.color}"},"buttonText":{"id":102085235,"value":null},"copy":{"id":102085236,"value":"Where are we now?<\/h2>
At present, we are available to dance all over the country at various festivals and dance weekends.
We are based in the Chepstow area, which is on the estuary of the River Wye (Afon Gwy) and the River Severn. We have worked on new dances in the Border style, based on local places and industry.
The Widders have been instrumental in organising some new traditions in Chepstow, namely the Widders Weekend of Music and Dance and we are the hosts of the Chepstow Wassail and Mari Lwyd. <\/p>"},"template":{"id":102085237,"value":"feature"}}},{"id":4264340,"type":"textBlock","published":1,"size":{"x":12,"y":0},"order":5,"items":[],"properties":{"html":{"id":102052035,"value":"Bookings<\/strong><\/h2>