The Lobster Potties came into being as an entry for the Sheringham Carnival with the aim of fund raising for the Sheringham Health Centre. Since we did not know anything about Morris Dancing, nor did know we who to ask for advice, we invented the whole thing! We made up two or three dances to some taped music, made cross bands (which are called baldricks) and bell pads and set about practising. Several weeks later we were not much better than when we'd started, but the great day arrived and we joined the procession and danced our way round the town. It was one of the wettest carnivals on record, but even so, an enjoyable time was had by all.

As far as we were concerned, it was a one off event but someone watching the procession had been impressed by the performance and we were invited to appear at a village fete, which just goes to show that you can fool some of the people all of the time! By the end of the year, we had performed at three or four fetes, which was a lot of fun. In fact, everybody enjoyed it so much it was decided to establish a permanent side. We made our base at the Lobster Pub, hence the name Lobster Potties and started practising on a regular basis.

The big change came once we started meeting other sides. We found without exception that they were all, only too willing to give us the benefit of their experience and help in any way they could. The other benefit of mixing with other sides was that it gave us ideas for our dress and style of dancing. The first side we came into contact with was the Old Bull Morris of Watford, who were doing a dance tour in this area. It was because of them that the men wear clogs.

For a number of years we were unable to get a musician and danced to taped music, which, as we got better, became more and more embarrassing. Still, what we lacked in professionalism we made up for with our sense of fun and enjoyment. It was this attitude to dancing which has made us so many friends over the years.

Most morris sides perform traditional dances which have been handed down through the ages. Indeed, some are so formal that the dances are exactly the same throughout the country. We, on the other hand, have continued in the way that we started. Although we use traditional music, we still make up most of our own dances and dance them in our own fashion. We are generally accepted as dancing the North Norfolk tradition.

Throughout the years, we have travelled to various parts of the U.K and Europe to take part in events with other sides and have gained many friends. As a result of this, in 1994 we started the Potty Festival so that we could invite our friends to come and dance with us in our town.