CLOGS clattered on Huddersfield's flagstones at the weekend as Morris dancers skipped through the streets.
From dancers wearing traditional floral outfits through to one 14-stone Morris man complete with pink blouson, skirt and gossamer ribbons in his hair, the crowd-stopping spectacle hit sun-kissed Kirklees over Saturday and Sunday.
The Luddite Lunacy Weekend saw the Slubbing Billys team from Slaithwaite invite Morris men, women and children from around England to Huddersfield for a weekend of socialising and real ale.
Teams from Lincolnshire, Worcestershire and the Borders performed in St George's Square, Huddersfield, on Saturday to the bemusement of passing shoppers and rail passengers before heading off to Dewsbury, and Marsden.
They finished off with a massed dance in Holmfirth early yesterday afternoon.
Wearing face paint and breeches with bells on their ankles and feathers or flowers decking top hats, they went through a repertoire of exhausting routines at every venue.
Thought by some to have pagan roots, the outfits have adapted down the ages.
Present day Morris Men don mirrored sunglasses to perfect their look.
Sipping from a hip flask, Slubbing Billys' squire Duggs Carre explained one theory of the dance's roots.
"It's a spectacle. The large dances were done to collect food or beer - like busking."
More than 1,000 Morris dancers can gather at large meets.
Duggs explained there were many teenage participants.
"Our younger dancers will be taking part but they get embarrassed and they tend not to do it too close to home. Some here don't think they are going to get spotted in Dewsbury."
He said it was a great hobby.
"It's an opportunity to dress up in silly clothes, find nice towns and nice pubs. And when you're in kit, people tend to talk to you."
