The Ironmen are one of the original

'revival' Border morris teams.

Border Morris is a traditional style that originates along the English/Welsh border (Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire) and involves lots of noise,

stick clashing and energy.

Faces are disguised [in the Ironmen's case

with a mixture of black and red to

echo the kit], which reminds us that

the early border dancing was

basically begging when work was scarce,

or busking as we have it today.

 

The ladies team, The Severn Gilders,

were named after the female workers at the Coalport China Factory [Coalport is just downstream from Ironbridge] - the Gilders - who put the gold decoration on the porcelain.

 

For both teams the kit colours of red and black are a tribute to the Ironbridge Gorge,  the real birthplace of the industrial revolution, where the cokefires from the iron works coloured the sky.    The yellow highlights hint at the gold on the Coalport ceramics.

 

Both border and North West morris are often accompanied by a lively band. IMSG are no different having, when everyone is available,  one of the most distinctive morris band sounds in the country!