According to the 'Shropshire Star':

"While groups who paint their faces black in the Border Morris tradition have said it has no racial connection, organisers have been approached by a group complaining about the practice.

The tradition dates back as much as 500 years and was used to disguise dancers so they would not be recognised.

The festival has never wished to cause offence to any person and as such, from 2017, we will no longer book sides that use full face black make up."

Full story here

Very bizarre and rather disappointing, I feel.