With dances emerging from the myths, legends and wilds of Dartmoor, Beltane prove that morris dancing can be older than tradition. With shadowed faces, tattered coats and black top hats, the musicians and dancers drum up the energy of the moor and share something ancient and mysterious with all who watch.

Beginning as all-female side ‘The Iron Maidens’ in 2000, we still embody the spirit of our ‘women with attitude’ forbearers and dance in the border morris style using sticks. We have adapted some traditional border morris dances with the obligatory Beltane fire, but most of our repertoire is self-penned. We write new dances together over the winter with our musicians seeking out the best tune to suit the mood and style of the dance. Our musicians play mainly traditional tunes adding their own arrangements to give them the Beltane edge.