Magog were formed in 1974 at the Black Horse, Nuthurst, by the wives and girlfriends of the Broadwood Morris , and in the beginning were known as Magog Ladies. Next year, 2024, sees us celebrate our 50th birthday.
Now just called Magog, the side continues to be based in Horsham, dancing around Sussex on Tuesday evenings from St. Georges Day until after Swanage Folk Festival in early September. During the year, Magog are also involved in dancing at Residential care settings, Fetes, and Festivals, not only in this country, but also having danced in Germany, Holland, Brittany, France, Denmark, Jersey and Eire.
Magog dance a number of different traditions, including Garland, Stave, Northwest Clog, and our own Horsham tradition.
During the wonderful Broadwood Day of Dance in Horsham in May, Magog are easy to pick out. The dancers wear white dresses with individually- coloured pinny and shawl, and the musicians have black waistcoats with a colourful appliqued Magog design on the back.
On the 1st of May, traditionally the day we welcome in the summer, Magog will be performing some of their dances on the green beside Warnham Village Hall, and will also be bringing along our colourful Maypole. We hope that that you will come along to watch us, and that some of you would like to join in our special dance around the Maypole. The ladies will be performing at 12.oopm on the Village Green and then again at the Sussex Oak at 1.30pm
If you happen upon us anywhere else during the year, please come and say ‘hello’ and if you fancy having a go yourself, we practice at Mannings Heath Village Hall on Tuesday evenings from, mid-September until St Georges Day. Please e-mail magog.bagman@gmail.com for more details.