Alvechurch Morris at The Crown

Alvechurch Morris performing outside 'The Crown' inn at Withybed Green. Shortly after this photograph was taken they broke their staves in a particularly energetic dance and had to pause for refreshment.

Their blacked faces are traditional for a Border Morris team and date from the days when farm labourers would dance at pubs for money and beer. They would rub soot in their faces and wear rags so that they would not be recognised.

The Mummers' play at the Crown on New Years' Day is one of the highlights of the village year. The village team perform the play to the traditional pattern but always manage to bring in some scurrilous reference to modern day happenings.