In 1992 four people who had all been involved in Morris dance and folk for many years felt it was time to leave their respective Morris Sides and form a new, vibrant mixed Morris Side. These were the Founding Members who formed the Side based on its original ideals and objectives
Martina Preece First Squire/Founding Member/still active
Tim Curtin First Foreman/Founding Member/ not now active
Ray Henderson First Bagman/Founding Member/not now active
Neil McRitchie First/lead Musician/Founding member/still active
he originating members of the Side thought hard and long about a name: it was agreed that is should be unique to us, reflect our area of origin and describe us if possible.
After considering quite a few alternative suggestions the Side settled on the name
- to reflect the famous five-toed cockerel of Dorking Town which is encapsulated in the Mole Valley Coat of Arms find out more about the Dorking Cockerel here
- which in one sense is a term used for a heraldic animal standing on one leg with the other raised (as in the Coat of Arms stylised cockerel)
- and in another sense is “unrestrained”, “flourishing excessively” which does describe our dancing!
…and Rampant Rooster Morris were christened!
The logo we use and on our badges is directly from the Mole Valley Coat of Arms, and also gave us our Side colours of red, gold-yellow and green