The Morris in Croydon

As early as the time of Henry VIII an account now in the Surrey County Records Office, shows that a group of Morris Dancers performed at the end of George Street at the May Day festivities. They also performed a Mumming play (a simple folk play in rhyme).

North Wood keep this tradition going by dancing at dawn every May Day at the top of Crown Hill outside the AlmsHouses.

In 1509 there is a record of the Morris dancers making a collection of the grand sum of nine shillings and fourpence (47p).

An early photograph from around 1910, in the Croydon Local Studies Department, shows the Shirley Village Boys Morris team. No more is known at present about them so we would welcome any information.