Black Bess Border was formed in 1997 & was originally based in Dawlish, but moved to Kingskerswell as most members came from this area.  The kit is based on the Highway man look, consisting of black tricorn hat, mask, white blouse, white cravat, red tatter jacket, black britches, white knee length socks and black shoes.  The style of dance is Border, which originated in the Borders of Shropshire and Wales. It is said that the coal miners of the area would travel to other villages and dance to raise extra cash to supplement their meagre wages. They would black their faces with coal dust so that they would not be recognised, hence the significance of our masks.

We dance mainly to traditional tunes, and the dances themselves are traditional or made up in the Border tradition.

We meet on Monday nights, the winter months being our practice period.  Then in the summer we dance out at locations around the area, at folk festivals and we are available for summer fetes etc, (for a  charge).  Money we raise goes to our annually nominated charity.  Some  of our charities have been The Lifeboats, Air Ambulance, Dogs for the Disabled & The Maternity Unit at Torbay Hospital.