my local side, Black Joak, has only been dancing for a few years, & started as a mixed side.

Last year then they recruited two 15 year old girls & naturally teenaged blokes joined. pics of Black Joak As one of the girls is of South-east Asian origin, that helped when folks said they'd like to dance but were not of English origin.

They have also been performing with a belly dancing group at the last 2 National Folk Festivals, in a wonderful extravaganza with morris & belly dancing, traditional horses & non-traditional camels, & a bit of cross-dressing as well. I really must post some pics.

One advantage of the younger members has been that the side can again perform some of the very athletic dances now that they have younger members. Dunno the name of the dance but it involved dropping down on one knee & jumping up again, & I knew I hadn't seen it before & found out why when I asked.

sandra