Who are We?      Where did we come from? Where do we meet?

      The latest Team photo Lyme Park -April 2006 (still not all of us!)

The Powderkegs began in 2001 from a small group of "groupies" of the Chapel-en-le-Frith Morris Men, they dance Cotswold in a men only side. We saw Border Dancing at weekends away and it looked great fun - we wanted to have a go. We live near the Peak District and could not find a local side to join so we decided to start our own. We went for a workshop with the Flagcrackers who taught us 2 dances to get us going  - Upton stick and Hey up Joe. We headed back for the hills with 12 willing (well most of them were) dancers and musicians.

We take our name from local Gunpowder Mills. "The  Gunpowder factory (which may date back to the 16th century) now lies under the waters of Fernilee Reservoir. A serious explosion in 1909 killed three men, but the factory was still very active during the First World War (1914-1918)." This probably a good thing as pyrotechnics has always had an appeal!  (source http://www.peakdistrict-education.gov.uk) 

We dance mainly traditional Border Morris style which is noisy, colourful and explosive! We have a mixed side (men and women dancing together-shocking isn't it)  We paint our faces, wear rag jackets and jingle bells if you want more info see - Get your kit on!We Meet In Whaley Bridge Uniting Church Hall (upstairs) Wednesdays 7.30pm to 10pm

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  Whaley Bridge click to see a full size image