www.morrisfed.org.uk

fedThe quarterly newsletterextr of The Morris Federationa Winter/Spring 2019

Inside this issue... Becoming a Maker (Pt 4) Simon Brock explains what's next for his clogs Brighton Morris looking back over 50 years and the secrets of their success North West Morris a brief history www.morrisfed.org.uk www.morrisfed.org.uk fed www.morrisfed.org.uk fed Winter/Springextra 2019 Winter/Springextra 2019 fedextra inside Winter/Spring 2019 this issue Winter/Spring 2019

Malmesbury Morris' Mayor with bells on North West 20 Morris 10

AGM Day Brighton Slubbing Making TradMad 12 clogs 14 of Dance 17 Morris 23 Billy's 26 Welcome to the Winter North West Morris: a brief AGM Day of Dance, London: Brighton Morrismen: Cover Stars issue & how to contact history of this traditonal pics of the day hosted by 50 years of dancing in 04your committee 10dance 17New Esperance Morris 23Brighton and beyond 24 Chiltern Hundreds at The Morris Federation AGM Day of Dance, President's prologue: JMO TradMad: mixed gender team Birthdays: Danegeld Morris John Bacon Gold Badge London 2018 Day of Dance, AGM, and promoting the art of rapper turn 30 and Chip Off the Old Award: citation from Barry Photograph: Sam Ross 05could you be president? 12dancing to a new generation 18celebrate ther 40th 24Goodman Do you have a great action picture of your team that Malkin Morris: Heritage 25 years of Green Dragons: Malmesbury Morris: Being Slubbing Billy's: open could feature on the cover Lottery Grant for local NW looking back and looking the Mayor with bells on at workshops bring new of FedExtra? clog, step and tunes forward to another 25 years St Aldhelm's Fair members 06 13 20 26 Send a high quality image suitable to print in A4 portrait format, Belles and Broomsticks Becoming a Clog Maker White Rose th Paul White's Diary :  : : 40 anniversary : some background info about Weekend of dance with the fourth and final part of for Scarborough-based When is a greenhouse your team, details of where and 07friends on Guernsey 14Simon Brock's journey 21 garland dancers 27not a greenhouse? when the image was taken, and the photographer's name to: News roundup: festivals, Temporary Measured: the Oyster Morris: Hopping AGM 2019, Scotland: John Bacon [email protected] celebrations, memorials story of a new ladies North around the Channel Islands Kinfauns host the day of 08and competitions 16West clog team 22with Belles and Broomsticks 28dance in Perth on 28 Sep Gold Badge www.morrisfed.org.uk 2 3 fed www.morrisfed.org.uk fed www.morrisfed.org.uk Winter/Springextra 2019 Winter/Springextra 2019 Sam Ross, Newsletter Editor • [email protected] diary dates • 64 The Batch, Farmborough, Somerset, BA2 0AJ 2019 • 07849 055 339 6-9 June Wimbourne Folk Festival wimbornefolk.co.uk

2-10 August Sidmouth Folk Week, incorporating the John Gasson Jig Competition sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk 17-23 August President's Whitby Folk Week from the whitbyfolk.co.uk contact your 14-15 September editor committee prologue & Clog Dance Competitions welcome to the winter/spring issue of Morris FedExtra Melanie Barber, President Hello! I hope by now short biog to be sent out with can imagine is a huge task, Pendle Heritage Centre, t's been another year The infamous 'Black Book' • [email protected] that eveyone is enjoying the the AGM papers, which we especially around the renewal Barrowford of celebrations, with published by The Morris Ring • 72 Freedom Road, Walkley, 2019 dance season! normally aim to have ready for date. We're also slowly moving clogcomp.org.uk Sheffield, S6 2XD many teams reaching is upheld by some as the only proof by the end of June. If you forward with a member's • 07812 656 036 25, 35, 40 or 50 years of way to dance specific dances, Huge THANK YOU to Medlock have any questions or want to section on our website, which 28 September The Morris Federation AGM dancing. Congratulations or even the only source of Fee Lock, Secretary Rapper for hosting a very know more, then please email will contain an online version to all those who morris dances that should be successful and enjoyable Joint me at: of the Member's Manual, Hosted by Kinfauns in Perth contribute to the success and performed. Similarly, those who • [email protected] Morris Organisations' National [email protected] together with advice and I • 28 Fairstone Close, Hastings, longevity of these teams. It's have not learned to play tunes Day of Dance in Manchester guidance specific to Morris East Sussex, TN35 5EZ Send details of events to: also heartening to see that new by ear from an experienced on 30 March, Thank you also Our new membership system Federation members, so please • 01424 436 052 [email protected] teams are emerging, whether morris musician, but instead to all the stewards who looked is now fully up and running, so watch out for updates as and The Morris Federation is not they're looking to maintain local rely on the dots on a page, may after the teams, the team that here's a gentle reminder that when this happens. Jenny Everett, Treasurer responsible for events organised by dances and tunes, or encourage be tempted to imply that the attended, and especialy Waters you can now update your own external organisations and introduce a new generation written notation is the only way • [email protected] Green Morris for representing details via The Morris Federation Our next main event is our to traditional dance. for the music to be played. • Willow Cottage, 20 High Street, Sutton- The Morris Federation with a website: www.morrisfed.org.uk AGM, hosted by Kinfauns Step on-Trent, Newark, Notts, NG23 6QA wonderful show dance. The under 'Join Us/Join or Dancers in Perth, Scotland, on • 01636 821 672 When it comes to tradition, the I used to get a lift to weekends next JMO National Day of Renew' there's a section on 28 September. Kinfauns have guidelines for subject of 'evolving tradition', of dance and morris workshops Mike Everett, Archive Officer Dance will be hosted by The 'Membership details update' been busy with arrangements submission of appears to be controversial with a good friend from Priston Morris Ring in Liverpool on with a link to update your for the weekend, which is for some. While making a Jubilee Morris and when the sat • [email protected] Saturday 18 April 2020. details direct. being based around the articles • Willow Cottage, 20 High Street, Sutton- note of dances and tunes so nav shouted at him for going Salutation Hotel. There will on-Trent, Newark, Notts, NG23 6QA Please send all text and that they are not lost forever the wrong way he would always • 01636 821 672 As I've mentioned before, I am You'll need to use your team be the usual day of dance on images via WeTransfer.com to is a worthwhile exercise, firmly reply, "It is only a guide!" stepping down as President contact email address and the Saturday preceding the [email protected] interpreting dance notation as Perhaps the same may be said Jerry West, Notation Officer this year, so if you fancy taking request a password, then AGM, followed by a Scottish Articles should be sent as doc, the only way to perform a dance for the notation of traditional up the mantel in helping you'll be able to access the ceilidh in the evening, and • [email protected] docx, txt or odt formats. Any may not be in the spirit of the music and dance. shape the future of The Morris details that we hold for your then workshops and more • 23 Avondale Road, Fleet, copy over 750 words will be tradition itself. Federation then please step team, and amend accordingly. opportunities to dance out on Sam Hampshire, GU51 3BH trimmed. • 01252 628 190 or 07754 435 170 forward! I won't lie and say it's This is especially important as the Sunday. We hope to see as the easiest job in the world, broadcasts regarding Morris many of you there as possible, Accompany all articles with at next issue publication date: and it can be time consuming, Federation business, such as and please remember that you least three high quality images. 02 Aug Images must not be embedded Co-opted committee but overall it's extremely renewal reminders, are now can still represent your team in text and should be sent as rewarding, and you're not sent from the system. We're at the AGM even if you don't Mike Adamson - IT Administrator separate attachments. alone as the committee are a hoping that next year we'll have a team to dance during advertising rates • [email protected] great bunch to work with. The be able to generate your PLI the day. Photographs and illustrations For the current rates and advert You can also download a copy first step is to find yourself two certificates via the system to should be jpg, eps, tiff or pdf, sizes, please contact the editor: from the FedExtra pages on our though other file types may be Advisors member sides to nominate and save Jenny compiling each Happy Dancing! [email protected] website: www.morrisfed.org.uk accepted. Sally Wearing - Health & Safety Advisor second you, and then write a one individually, which as you Make sure you have appropriate • [email protected] • 0118 946 3125 is your team info up-to-date? Melanie permission to publish all words Update your team's info and contact details at any time by logging on to John Bacon - Licensing Bill Advisor and pictures. Credit will be @morrisfed @MorrisFed.org.uk given to photographers, and the membership database at: www.morrisfed.org.uk/join/existing-members • [email protected] keep it social captions printed where provided.

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Photographs courtesy of David Lyons and Gwyndon John Boardman

Malkin Morris awarded Belles and Broomsticks Heritage LOTTERY GranT Weekend of Dance 2018 Belles & Broomsticks processing at Candie Gardens 18 month old Malkin Morris specialises in researching, performing and promoting the dances and tunes of Customs and Exiles, Water’s Green, Oyster Girls, Baker’s Dozen, Armaleggan, Ridgeway Step Burnley, Pendle, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley in Lancashire. They raise the image of traditional dance Clog, Tinners Morris and Chinewrde, joined us for the weekend, We were based at the local and music, the culture and identity of the area and provide opportunities for participants to have fun, Scout headquarters, a massive space that we softened with marquees, bunting and fairy Lucy improve physical fitness and learn performance skills. lights – which made for a splendid space to eat, drink, dance and be merry. Skelton Sunday was another sunny day and all teams Three of us started with a We have been awarded a grant from archives, libraries, books, the dance. We began the weekend on Friday afternoon with tea and cake, Virginia followed by the opening of the bar and a meal with a dessert converged on Candie Gardens in St Peter workshop in May 2017. by the Heritage Lottery Fund to newspapers and hopefully David Cooke, and Peter of traditional Guernsey Apple Cake. Then there was team-team Port at 10am for coffee, cake, recovery and a massed stand, 16 musicians and would-be produce a nationally available, readers of this article! Dances (Rochdale Crewe interaction, music, singing and dancing through the evening. followed by a processional, headed by Customs and Exiles. We dancers aged 17- 67 arrived so readily accessible, free resource and tunes are being lost over Morris and processed through the town and on to the sea-front, dancing Saturday morning, the weather was wonderful and the tours we learned 'The Whalley' the of local north west processional time and we must act quickly to Colne Royal) at various places and attracting large audiences. dance from a nearby village. clog dance, step dance and preserve these now if they are had written set out to astonish Guernsey and have a great time. Some of the teams danced at the south-western point of the island, After lunch we all headed for the ferry and a short trip to Herm, The dancers included those local tunes, the project runs not to vanish for ever. it, but we had obtained it from overlooking a bay with fishing boats and fortifications, and of our nearest island. A chance to relax at the Mermaid Tavern, go with no experience, some from until August 2019. a workshop with Belfagan course a pub; other teams went to the middle of the island and to shell beach, swim or just sit on the sand. Which is not to say Clitheroe Country Fayre (c1976), Whilst talking to Padiham in Cockermouth. The Rotary entertained museum-goers, park life, and café patrons. that there was no dancing for those who still had some energy! others from Bobbins and Reelers This funding has helped us Rotary Club, the Shawforth was member told us how it was (1980s), Park High School offer workshops to schools mentioned as being just outside originally taught at a folk club, After lunch, all teams headed up the coast to Cobo Bay where The Mermaid Tavern catered very well for over a hundred of us, Bangles Beads and Bloomers and community organisations, our area. One of the Rotary and as he was a traditionalist we had diverted the traffic, so we had the whole road to dance with huge pans full of paella, and as the sun set over Guernsey, in alongside (the best view ever from a gents loo!), there was singing, (1980s) and Polyolbion. IT resources and clogs, as well members jumped and asked and didn’t want to teach a two pubs. We Dancing in the Dark (a massed Nutting Girl jig), and a game of as with collecting information us where we had obtained current dance, he taught them were there Happy Salmon so uproarious that it must have been audible in Our musicians, the 'Roughlee basic steps and figures culled all afternoon, St Peter Port. Ruffians', play a range of from other dances. dancing in the When it was instruments: flute, melodeon, road, on the time to take accordion, concertina and If you have any memories beach (one the chartered mandola and are determined to or records of morris or step of the best ferry back to in Guernsey), work to make the tunes fit the dances and tunes from our Guernsey, music swimming, dancers and not the other way area we would love to hear and song broke or sitting on round. We are so grateful to from you. out for those the seawall them for this support. on the lower watching the Contact Gin Crewe, Squire: cabin deck, and other teams and We look for local tunes and 07887 844025 for those on enjoying the the upper the only perform dances from our [email protected] sunshine. local area, both step and NW Facebook: @localmorris view of the processional morris and the Back at our stars, Milky base, our Way and Mars. resulting dancing has been Or join us! We practise on Armaleggan excellent ceilidh A perfect finish exciting, energetic and very Monday nights in Roughlee band was Monkey Box to a wonderful creative. or Barley Hall in Lancashire. Malkin's musicians, the 'Roughlee Ruffins' with caller Annie Bolt and they kept us dancing all evening. weekend. Customs & Exiles

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Kevin Tournament of Traditional Dance Holland After the long, hot and dry summer of 2018 it all changed on Saturday 8 September for the 31st annual York Festival of Traditional Dance organised by Ebor Morris. Despite rain varying from light drizzle to heavy rain all day, 15 teams braved the weather to perform for the locals and tourists, interspersed by drying out periods in local cafés and pubs. This year the teams attending were Ebor Morris, Acorn Treacle Eater Clog, August 2018 Morris, Persephone, Stoney Steppers, Stone the Crows, Photograph N Nelson Blackheath Morris, Silkstone Greens, Leeds Morris, Hornbeam Molly, Brackley Morris, Makara, Pecsaetan, Kevin Herring Gals, Ripon City, and the Minster Strays. The Treacle Eater Holland highlight of the day was a showcase in the pouring The Trevor Stone Trophy rain, when every team performed in front of York’s Lord Mayor and civic party. On Sunday the sun At the Sword Dance Union Longsword Tournament Julia returned, when Ebor, Acorn and Brackley were joined Clog is 35! in Sowerby Bridge on 6 October, Sullivans Sword won Catovsky by Black Diamond and Richmond on Swale. the Trevor Stone Trophy for the best traditional dance, Treacle Eater Clog evolved in This year's festival will be held from 7-8 September. Southport Swords won the trophy for the best own 1983 from the relatively short-lived dance and the Snark audience appreciation award, Queen’s Delight women’s Cotswold morris team, and Oakenyouth won the junior trophy. Other teams Ebor Morris dancing a mix of traditional NW dances both attending were Redcar, Maltby, Goathland, Spen Valley, written by our own team members (past and Kirkburton, and Claro. present) and adapted from other teams.

To celebrate our 35th anniversary, we decided that we would make all our members a new kit to replace the faded black and red outfits that varied in shades from sun bleached pinks to reasonable reds. We got together for a sewing production line gang. It was tremendous fun and many hands made light work under the direction of our sewing chiefs, Jadi and Janet.

Our main celebration was a day of dancing in Exeter on 19 August 2018. We boarded the train at Yeovil and Sherborne and headed off to Exeter Central. We danced at various spots around the city, The Princess Hay shopping centre, the quay and the Double Locks pub where we stopped for lunch and a pint or two– it was a bit hard to Acorn Morris Pecsaetan Morris get dancing again! Sullivans Sword Silkstone Greens

Our final spot was at Exeter Central Station before we descended upon an unsuspecting Italian restaurant in town for a lovely meal with great friends. On the return train journey there were few other Old Palace Clog Adrian Hilton passengers, so we decided that it would be a fun idea to play a few tunes. It certainly made the journey whizz by, in Calais even if we hadn’t noticed we were in the Quiet Zone! 1955 – 2018 We danced, posed and paddled at every opportunity Adrian Hilton, who died in December 2018 after a stroke, was the Singaround he was and kept other a member of Chingford Morris Men for 46 years, acting as a famous for playing the passengers dancer, musician, author and performer in the mummers play 'Chorus Tune' as it came occupied on and for over 20 years, Squire. He joined the Good Easter Molly to be known (Woodland the crossing. Dancers for many Plough Monday performances. He was a Revels), because people We danced member of the Lea Valley Mummers until they folded. He also used to sing along. Crewe on the played occasionally for the Enfield Chasers and Herts Holly He enjoyed attending ferry because among others, and for country dances in halls, pub bars and Tenterden Folk Festival there were school assemblies. His music was always so danceable. and played for Chingford Morris on the Sunday of the 2018 festival. signs saying Adrian was an exceptionally talented musician impressing many "Crew Only". with his ‘twiddly bits’. He regularly attended music sessions He also attended a number of folk clubs over time including across the country, including East Anglia, and he also built his Walthamstow, Ware, Lewes, Loughton and Waltham Abbey. He Got a fun photo you want to share? Please send any own melodeon. He was a Friend of Broadstairs Folk Week for sang with Shape Note groups, and attended the first English Treacle Eater Clog, Sherborne, Dorset, June 1984 photos and caption to:[email protected] many years and attended a few days of the festival in 2018. In Shape Note Convention in Hitchin many years ago.

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Gisburn Morris, 1906 Godley Hill Morris Dancers with Rushcart, c. 1882 Photograph courtesy David Middlehurst Photograph courtesy Duncan Broomhead

North West Morris

Old Speckled Hen Wimborne Minster Folk Festival, 2018 Photograph by Helen Jones a Brief History Rochdale Rushcart, c.1905 Wigan St. John's Morris Dancers, 1910 The earliest reference to morris in the North West of England is from 1578 in Cheshire, Photograph courtesy David Middlehurst Photograph courtesy David Middlehurst “morres daunces and rishe bearings vsed in the Churche.” This connection with rush Judith bearing lasted a long time, and was a factor in the development of the style that we now Proctor call North West morris. taking part – the competitions promoted of the North West revival. A majority of awareness and standards of solo and a mood to celebrate and they wanted remember their place. high standards and inspired the creation current NW teams are female. double jigs, as well as driving rapper Churches in those days had earthen to celebrate all things English. What A leader would dance at the top of the of new figures. to ever increasing popularity and floors which were covered in rushes to could be more 'Olde England' than May set to give instructions to the dancers. Now, North West is in decline again. spectacular displays. We'd hoped to hold It wasn't to last. Cheap seaside holidays Most existing teams consist of older provide some insulation and comfort. Queens, Rose Queens (in June) and This is especially useful for processions, a competition for North West dancing at reduced the importance of Wakes Week dancers and are finding it hard to recruit Every year, the rushes were replaced morris dancers? as a hiccup in the procession ahead may Wimborne Minster Folk Festival 2019, and World War II brought an end to new blood. New North West teams are with fresh ones and cerebrations grew require the dancers to either perform but although we'd got an excellent group There was a sudden explosion of civic the all male teams. A few mixed teams almost non-existent, although a couple of judges, and really good line up of around the carts delivering the rushes. a couple of figures on the spot or to events including long processions with advance rapidly. The order of figures carried on for another decade or two, buck the trend. North West teams we don't have enough groups of every kind. Almost every might be fixed, or might be called to but only girls' Carnival morris continued teams wanting to compete. Carts, piled over ten feet high with The question is what can be done to procession in the NW region had their suit the requirements of the moment. unbroken to the present day and is now rushes, were decorated with banners and reverse this decline? North West is a morris dancers processing along to the Because teams were often dancing to regarded as an independent tradition. I know other people are doing their silverware and pulled through the streets fantastic dance style, and worthy of town band. brass bands they hadn't practised with, best to promote North West and to to the church in front of large crowds. The morris revival begun by Cecil engaging a new generation. the dances needed to have very regular encourage new dancers. I hope that they Some were pulled by a horse, others by Sharp and Mary Neil, at the start of the Just ten years later, in 1897, Victoria had patterns that would fit to popular tunes. will succeed. It's too good a dance style large groups of men. twentieth century, began with Cotswold Last year, I was lucky enough to get her diamond jubilee. By now, the towns Multiples of 16 bars and a steady tempo for us to lose it. morris and remained focused on it for involved with a local school and with the Now add the morris dancers, dancing were required. had really got the taste for big events. In a long time. As the (now-discredited) help of some volunteer musicians we ran Further reading: along with the cart. This is why North addition to adult teams, a lot of children's belief that Cotswold was a pre-historic a successful after-school North West West is so different from other morris Lack of a jubilee didn't stop these events • All About the Morris by Mike Salter morris teams were formed: some boys, male ritual dance took hold, the women club for a children's team that performed traditions – it's a processional dance. from continuing. Wakes week, the • Morris Dancers and Rose Queens some girls and some mixed. Usually at our local folk festival. Sadly, the annual workers holiday continued to be who had been the first revival dancers, by J Haslett teacher, whom I was working with has Rushcart processions declined over time associated with schools or churches, celebrated with parades and festivals. and most of the early teachers, became changed job and no one else at the • Morris dancing on the Lancashire Plain: as churches gained stone or tile floors, these were big groups with long paired Sometimes morris teams were paid to excluded. In the late 1960s and the school has enough time to be involved The Preston Tradition 1890 to 1939 though some carts still brought rushes lines leading down the streets. take part in these events, sometimes 1970s interest turned to the rich with an after-school club. Hopefully, I'll by Prew Boswel which were used to make garlands to they could be attracted by competitions. heritage of North West morris and find another group somewhere. • Rushbearing by Alfred Burton decorate the church walls. These long sets encouraged the use new teams formed. The fact that these of figures based around groups of four Competitions started around the mid dances had been performed historically • This Girl Can (The Competitions have helped promote In 1887 Queen Victoria had been on the dancers. Dancers would sometimes wear 1880s and were really popular by 1920, by women and children made it far easier Histories of Morris) by Lucy Wright clog dancing, massively increase both throne for 50 years. The nation was in different colour sashes to help them with men’s, women’s and mixed troupes for both men and women to become part Thanks also go to Duncan Broomhead.

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supported by The Morris 25 years Federation of Green Dragons TRADMAD! Andy reeves, TradMad, with the support of The Morris 22 September 2018 saw the 25th anniversary of The Green Dragons Squire Federation, were formed in 2018 to create and in Bury St Edmunds. sustain a new rapper team of dancers, musicians Tradmad showing off their first rapper sword lock and characters and encourage new members to join. Photograph by Bryony Griffith The side started in 1993 dancing a mixture the dancing in The Abbey Gardens in one of styles and wearing jogging bottoms long line and danced Vandalls. with one red and one green leg (it helped performance at the Shepley Singers They're all musicians and singers and TradMad are of mixed gender and aim to everybody skip on the same leg, I guess). Now The celebrations continued into the evening promote the art of rapper dancing to the winter concert, which was brilliant - their have done various concerts that didn't a prominent border side we have long-since with a very well-attended ceilidh, dancing to younger generation. parents didn't know we were going to do include the rapper!" waved goodbye to the coloured leggings! the sounds of Clutching at Straws with their it and were well made up! Hopefully they excellent caller Gill Bosley. In the words of Bryony Griffith, who will also be performing at Shepley Spring Find out more about our Sponsorship, We held a day of dance in the town which It was great to see some of the founder along with Will Hampson, tutor TradMad, Festival in May and the National Coal Grants and Bursary Policy at started with a procession before dispersing members and many faces from years gone by. "The group did their first rapper Mining museum youth music day in July. www.morrisfed.org.uk to various dance locations. Celebrating with us we had, Bury Fair, Kenninghall, Pretty Grim, One of the founders even liked it so much he has re-joined us. A5LMorrisXmas_Layout 1 16/09/2016 14:08 Page 1 Danegeld, Milkmaid Molly, Golden Star, Leading Lights, Rumburgh and it was very nice to see Here’s to the next 25 years! Boudica Morris from Hadleigh, a new side KAREN CATER DESIGNS enjoying their first day of dance. We ended www.greendragonmorris.com MORRIS CARDS FOLKY CARDS CHRISTMAS & YULE CARDS STEPPING ON: A CONFERENCE ON STEPPING IN DANCE www.hedinghamfair.co.uk T-SHIRTS CALENDAR OF ACROSS THE BRITISH ISLES AND BEYOND TRADITIONAL CUSTOMS 16-17 November 2019, Cecil Sharp House, London BOOKS BOUGHT & SOLD About the conference Potential topics include: The British Isles have a rich history of step dancing of many MOUNTED PRINTS forms and in many contexts some of which are relatively well • Local/regional step dance traditions known and others largely lost. It is a history which goes back • Stepping in social dances ENGLISH TUNE-BOOKS many centuries and links with traditions in other parts of the • Stepping in other dances such as sword, rapper and morris & TUTORS world. The aim of the conference is to further our knowledge • Stepping on the stage GIFTS & JEWELLERY and understanding, and to stimulate debate. The conference • The twentieth century clog revival will be of interest to practitioners, researchers and all who are • Music and stepping PERFORMANCE; interested in the diversity of traditional dance in the British • Competitions Isles. • Contemporary issues in step dance revival MUSIC, SONGS and • Histories of stepping in dance FOLKLORE TALKS We intend to present a mixture of papers, demonstrations, • The role of the dancing masters International links e.g. workshops, round table discussions and posters. through migration By Karen & Colin Cater • Experience from traditions in other countries which can Find out more at www.vwml.org/steppingconference illuminate the experience in the British Isles for a free illustrated catalogue; [email protected] 01787 462731

12 13 fed www.morrisfed.org.uk fed www.morrisfed.org.uk Winter/Springextra 2019 Winter/Springextra 2019 SIMON BROCK BIG CLOGS FOR NORTHWEST MORRIS

The journey to becoming

a clog maker CLOGS WITH PYROGRAPHED SOLES AND TOOLED TURQUOISE UPPERS Episode 4: an anniversary of sorts

Photographs by Simon Brock

The fourth in a series of articles about clog CLOG SOLES IN PROGRESS, WITH THE HOLLOWING KNIFE making, my progress in which has been generously raise the profile of clogs and clog making, assisted by a grant from the Morris Federation. which can’t be a bad thing!

For anyone not familiar with the HCA, a little about legacy. Firstly, I’ve developed into the rock ’n’ roll lifestyle of the trade. they promote and support such niche a system for marking and cataloguing clogs. But it also records, for posterity, my own y the end of the last episode, I’d or red clogs for those who like to step crafts as vanishing fore-edge painting, Maybe this is a consequence of being journey from 'clueless to clog-maker'. documented most of my journey dance solo or in privacy; and bonkers watch dial enamelling and Devon maund married to an auditor, but I do like the from Clueless to Clogger. Or, T-bar clogs for the Welsh, who evidently making, listing the most vulnerable in the paperwork to be in order. Every pair has

rather, with tremendous help appreciate a bit more ‘bling’. One day Red List of Endangered Crafts. Cutting a serial number so, in theory, an exact fit HOT PINK PATENT LEATHER T-BARS Band support from clog making mentors maybe an English step dancing side will clog soles by hand is on the ‘Critically should be replicable 5, 10 or 20 years from and people within the folk world, I’d gone see the merit in kitting out the whole Endangered’ list, and clog making overall now. It also means that when I retire, I can from making (pretty awful) clogs two days team in hot pink patent leather… is now recognised as ‘Endangered’. see exactly how many clogs I’ve made. But a week in my friend’s workshop, to being I’m not sure what a medical practitioner fully installed in my own place. In March, I marked something of an Remember how in the first of these would make of this obsessive behaviour. anniversary by once again heading to articles I described the rather brutal Whilst in the early days I picked up orders Cecil Sharp House for Camden Clog’s day clog knives (aka stock knives) that were I’ve also begun, slowly, to record some that were probably largely motivated by of workshops. When I went there in 2018, traditionally used to cut clog soles? Truth history: starting with my mentor Trefor curiosity, pity or an altruistic sense of it was my first trading event as a clog is, I only routinely use these tools for a Owen, recording his memories of the clog 'here’s a new clog maker, let’s support maker, complete with prosecco in paper proportion of the shaping work – I don’t trade of old, how he got into it, who he him', I flatter myself that I’m now receiving cups to celebrate the auspicious occasion. yet have the skills to carve clog soles learned from, etc. Currently this exists as orders because people genuinely like my Going back this year was a chance to entirely by hand using clog knives – and nearly six hours of unedited audio, but I clogs and appreciate that I try to make reflect, and to think about ‘what next’. Herefordshire-based Jeremy Atkinson is hope eventually to distil it down into a them beautiful too: believing they should the best person to learn from. Jeremy is more user-friendly format; and likewise, not only be robust and comfy, but also The biggest news in the intervening year not well-known in the folk world, but I’ve with the reminiscences of other clog withstand the unforgiving scrutiny of arty was undoubtedly my winning two of the mentioned him before. Starting in the makers. close-up photos for Instagram. Heritage Crafts Association (HCA) Awards autumn, funded by the HCA awards, I will at their conference in March (also at Cecil be training with him. Watch this space. I fear that knowledge of how things used 2019 promises to be a cloggy cocktail of Sharp House, so I felt quite at home). The to be is too easily lost. Writing this series black lace-ups for morris and many step HCA conference was a good day out, and Looking ahead, hoping it doesn’t sound of articles for FedExtra has hopefully BROWN CLASP CLOGS, A VERY TRADITIONAL STYLE dancers; a smattering of turquoise, purple I think my winning the awards helped to too pretentious, I’ve also started to think entertained you and provided a little insight

14 15 Our AGM Day of Dance Morris Federation teams from around the UK took to the streets of London, in advance of our AGM at Cecil Sharp House, on Saturday 22 September 2018. With thanks to New Esperance Judith Morris for hosting the event. Chiltern Hundreds' Musicians Temporary Measured Snelling Photographs by Sam Ross A new ladies North West Clog team Temporary Measured performing Carr Lodge at Lewes, Oct 2017. Photograph by Clive Funnell

Temporary Measured celebrated their second year as a fully-fledged NW Clog team in Washington, West Sussex.

The team started in autumn of 2014 with a single Sunday One of the challenges of any new team is that many of our morning workshop run by Chanctonbury Ring Morris Men members dance with other sides and are not available on May (CRMM) open to both men and women. The main objective Day or Boxing Day. So we have been creative about making our was to recruit more men for their NW own landmarks in the morris calendar side but over two thirds of people with three key events. The first is our attending were women. own Wassail on a Sunday lunchtime in January complete with a Lord of Pecsaetan Morris Chiltern Hundreds Nothing more happened until October Misrule, mulled cider and guest teams, 2015 when they tried again with the second is our mid-summer 'Ed another one-off workshop. Again, Lyons Barn Dance' in June and the third the women outnumbered the men. our end of season celebration lunch in Eventually Ed Lyons and Brian Cooper October. from CRMM were persuaded to start up a Sunday morning practice in Temporary Measured have performed at February 2016, with a view to start a many events. Our musicians have sat new women's team with support from patiently through many a cold Sunday Ed as Foreman and Brian as musician. practice and gallantly played for us come rain or shine. We had snow when Six months on and spurred on by an Our first mid-winter "Wassail" celebration, January 2018 with Ragged Phoenix and Chanctonbury Ring as guest teams, we danced at the Sompting Day of invitation to dance at the Lewes Folk Martin Frost as the "Lord of Misrule" and Victoria as his lady Dance at Amberley Museum in March Festival a Photograph by Judith Snelling and torrential rain on Good Friday, very simple kit of black trousers, when we joined The Knots of May for their Long Rope Skipping white shirt and red waistcoat event. Fortunately, we had better weather over the summer was put together along with the and many lovely evenings dancing at one of the many local name chosen for that first event, pubs and days of dance in Sussex, Surrey and Kent. Temporary Measures. We are looking forward to a busy and enjoyable 2019. Further Cockleshell Clog Phoenix Clog Clausentum Morris The elation of that first performance details on Facebook or www.temporarymeasured.com in October was shattered just weeks later with the sudden death of our mentor Ed Lyons. The team swiftly voted to change the name Our Mentor Ed Lyons, "Nowt much wrong with that!" to Temporary Measured in memory Photograph by Clive Funnell of Ed. Our next performance was at Ed’s funeral. This was a sad and curiously momentous occasion. We were invited to dance outside the church with CRMM and to process into the church in kit with them. We were genuinely welcomed and felt encouraged to continue despite this very sad set-back and over the last two years have evolved into a strong team with a healthy balance between performing to high standards and having fun. Team photo at our first performance at Lewes, October 2016 Photograph by Barry Dewdney

Berkshire Bedlam Windsor Morris 16 17 Chip Off The Old at Cromford Mill Chip Off The Old’s Photograph by Peter Posner Danegeld Morris’ 30th year 40th Anniversary Celebration When we first moved up to Ipswich from London in the 1980s, my husband soon joined a well-established Founded in 1978 Chip Off The Old wanted to dance morris in the traditional Cotswold style. The kit of cream local men’s Cotswold side, the East Suffolk Morris Men, but I couldn’t find a side that suited me. Contacts skirt with blouse, tights and trimmings in individual colours has changed little over the 40 years. The side on the folk scene indicated that there were several local couples who were looking for a mixed morris side, decided to celebrate its 40th Anniversary with friends, holding a day of dance in the beautiful and historical so in 1988, Danegeld Morris was born – we think we were the first mixed side in the area. Peak District.

We started practising North-West dances at Butley, not far Federation’s annual day of dance. We are The only thing gloomy on the morning of 16 June 2018 Richard Pykett who are the anchors for the from Woodbridge, so decided to take the Sutton Hoo ship proud regulars at the Lobster Potties’ weekend Sandy was the weather as Bare Bones, Ripley Green Garters and a side. Lesley has been with the side from the Melanie burial mask as our emblem. Each dancer makes their own at Sheringham too, which celebrated its 25th Johnson representative from Ripley Morris Men gathered with Chip Off start and led the dancing for almost all the Arundell version for the back of their waistcoat, and our 30th anniversary this year with a Guinness World Record- The Old at Carsington Water. The audience was appreciative 40 years and Richard has led the music for t-shirt proudly shows the current crop. breaking massed morris dance (369 dancers!) and some joined in with Ripley Green over 25 years. Anyone for Tinner’s Rabbit? Garters leading everyone in a community We loved taking our name from an early dance. The day of dance coincided with the protection racket, and we still sometimes So, if you are in the south Suffolk area and are 'Celebrating Cromford Weekend' event offer to go away if you pay us well! During looking for an inclusive, fun morris side to After an excellent lunch at Carsington, and it was great that the morris dancing the year, we collected for four birthday join (dancers and musicians), look us up on during which the sun decided to shine, was included between other live music charities chosen by our members: www.danegeld.org.uk, or come and see everyone relocated to Cromford, within sessions at our final location within the WaterAid, Macmillan Cancer Support, us dancing in Woodbridge for Children the Derwent Mills UNESCO World village. St.Elizabeth Hospice and the East in Need on the morning of Saturday 17 Heritage Site, dancing first by Cromford Anglian Air Ambulance, and raised November, 2018, or at the Plough & Wharf and then to Cromford Mill. The Many thanks to Bare Bones, Ripley Green £1000 through street performances, Sail, Snape Maltings on New Year’s Day, Mill’s square was bustling with people Garters, Ripley Morris Man and past a birthday ceilidh (we have a brilliant 2019. who enjoyed the range of dances from members of Chip for coming along to help band) and selling merchandise. the Border, North West and Cotswold us celebrate our ruby anniversary and The fantastic photographs are from this traditions. Past members of Chip also make it so enjoyable and successful. Some of our original couples are still with us, August’s Normandy Tour, organized every came along and joined in playing or but we have also been lucky enough to gain three years by our friends Richard and Sue dancing some dances. We are always welcoming to new new members through the years (although the Davis, who arranged a superb week’s dancing for Bare Bones dancing beside Carsington Water members of any age. We practise baby buggies have come and gone!) We have danced visiting sides from England, plus a local French side. Proceedings adjourned to the marquee at 4.30pm for the between 8.00pm and 10.00pm, normally at St Mary’s Church in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and are currently C’etait merveilleux! excellent cake made by Chip member, Rebecca Liverman, and Hall near the centre of Derby. researching an East European trip. We also enjoy taking part Cava. Chip was then delighted to present tankards as a mark in folk festivals around the UK; most recently the StrawBear Danegeld practise on Tuesday evenings from 8-10pm at of their great appreciation of two people, Lesley Marshall and Visit www.chipofftheold.org.uk for more details. Festival, Ely Folk Festival, FolkEast, and of course, The Morris Bredfield Village Hall, near Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP13 6AX.

Chip Off The Old with a little help from Ripley Morris, dancing at Carsingtom Water Ripley Green Garters dancing at Cromford Mill

18 19 fed www.morrisfed.org.uk Winter/Springextra 2019 40th anniversary for White Rose Garland Dancers Scarborough's White Rose Garland Dancers celebrated th their 40 anniversary in September 2018 by holding a Maureen day of dance in the town centre. They were joined by Croft The Chandeliers from Sheffield, Clogaire and Roll Back the Carpet from Saltaire. Even the weather was kind to us!

Fran Being the Mayor - Vandelli

Opening St Aldhelm's Fair with bells on Photographs by Kate White 2018 year was a strange and exciting one for me. Strange because I found myself doing some things that weren’t part of my life plan (not that I really had a life plan to be honest, I’m far too ‘last-minute’), and exciting because I learned something new every day. Fran Vandelli Simon Brock By way of explanation, last year I joined The group were understanding and is that I can do it my own Malmesbury Morris. reassured me that they could work around way. When my first civic Clog maker & Leatherworker my limitations, so I jumped right in and duty was to open the annual town fair at Being a Town started learning. I danced out for which Malmesbury Morris always dance out, · Clogs for step and morris dancing · Re-wooding · Councillor the first time on St George’s Day I was ready for both. · Repairs · Rubbers · means I’d 2018 and had a fabulous time. seen them Fortunately you couldn’t I opened the fair in full regalia, but dancing see my knees knocking and with striped tights and dancing shoes out on all the smiling made me look underneath. As soon as the fair was open, sorts of confident. I couldn’t help the I got ready to dance and put my bells on. occasions smiling – it’s just how morris I have to say that I’m immensely proud and liked makes me feel. to be a morris dancer and the mayor the look with bells on. of it, and The other of course in thing that a town with wasn’t part of · Morris kit bags · Belts · Instrument straps & cases · Masks · Bell pads · a population of my life plan, but under 6000 I was that I learned last year, · Repairs · Bags, pouches & purses · Bespoke, tooled & unusual work · bound to know some of the dancers, but it was how to be a mayor. wasn’t until I participated in a short taster I became mayor in May workshop in the town hall that I realised 2018 and it’s given me just how enjoyable morris dancing is. a lot of work to do and a lot to learn about After the taster workshop I was invited statesmanship and how to join the side, but I hesitated. I worried to get the most out of that I couldn’t commit enough time – the the role. committee I chaired regularly met on practice night and I work full-time in a job The first thing I learned that involves a lot of travel. about being a mayor e: [email protected] www.leatherforfolkies.co.uk 0114 233 6146 / 07958 15 45 05 20 facebook.com/leatherforfolkies Dancing Black Joker at Towersey Festival, 2018 Photograph by Catherine Gregson-Bourke

Andrew Partington, Jane Malcolm Brighton Morris Men Smale & Ross Cooke ISLAND-HOPPING OYSTERS 50 Years of Dancing Adamson We are into our 51st season and a healthy side with over 50 active members, a repertoire of 50 dances and Enthusiastic island dancers hot-footed it to the Channel Islands jigs, and a reputation for being entertaining. We finished our 50th anniversary season with a flourish as a this month for a weekend of traditional dance and music in Guernsey. guest side at Towersey Festival. We think we are one of the largest Cotswold teams in the country.

Oyster Girls Morris were invited to take well organised with a full itinerary of It began in autumn 1967 when new dances with tunes, in the 'Lewes Shirley Collins, MBE. She saw us dancing part with six other morris sides from dance, venues and hospitality provided Chanctonbury Ring Morris Men started Tradition' - some of these have been in her home town of Lewes and liked us around the UK by the Guernsey side by the Belles and Broomsticks and their a junior team in the new University adopted by other sides. so much she invited us to perform guest Belles and Broomsticks. The dancing families. of Sussex, just outside Brighton. We • Music. Usually two or three of our spots at her London concerts and on the took place in several venues around the first danced out as the University of musicians play at any one time. tour to launch her ‘Lodestar’ album in “The weekend highlighted that the island, including Cobo Bay, and on the Sussex Morris Men in 1968 and for the Guided by master concertina player 2017 (her first recording for 38 years). Oyster Girls is a very small side in Sunday all the sides processed through next decade were a feeder team for John Watcham they concentrate numbers compared to some of the other Since 1968, 172 men and seven women Guernsey’s capital, St Peter Port, and Chanctonbury with several men belonging on responding to the changing sides we met and we would welcome have contributed to the Brighton Morris danced in the town, finishing the day to both sides. rhythms of Cotswold dances and more dancers and musicians so we can ethos. We have: with a boat trip to the nearby island of dancers, helping to create the overall continue to dance and promote the By the early 1980s the formal link with danced across the UK from Herm. experience. • tradition of North West Clog morris on Chanctonbury had dissolved, we had Aberdeen to Exeter, Norwich to The different styles of morris were well the Isle of Wight.” many non-student members and the • Standards. Not everyone can Manchester, Guernsey and Jersey, represented, including North West Clog, Anyone interested in joining as either university tag was no longer appropriate. become an expert dancer. But by France, Germany and Belgium. The Oyster Girls meet for practice every a dancer or musician can contact the So after considerable heart-searching we developing people within the side, Cotswold, Border, and Step Clog. graced the stages of the Brighton Wednesday evening from October to Oyster Girls through the website: re-named ourselves Brighton Morris Men and encouraging excellence, we can • Dome, and the South Bank and The Oyster Girls Squire said, “This was March and dance out every Wednesday www.oystergirls.org.uk or our Facebook from the 1982 practice season onwards. perform show dances and jigs at Barbican in London. a fantastic weekend with the chance to evening at different venues around the page, or join us at the next practice, at festivals and on stage. Our jig team Since 1977 our sister team in Brighton, dance at different venues on Guernsey island during the summer. They also take St John’s Community Hall, Newport, on a at Sidmouth 2018 won best veteran • established an annual day of dance. Cuckoos Nest Women’s Morris, has been and make new morris friends and catch part in local events and morris festivals Wednesday evening at 8pm, where they dancer, best veteran musician and helped promote a new green walking very important to us and we perform • up with some old friends too. It was so on the mainland and abroad. can be sure of a warm welcome. were 2nd overall for our double jig. and cycle path in France. together at key stands each season. • Songs. Being a strong singing side • joined in twinning events between For several years numbers in Brighton brings us together socially, forges Lewes and the French city of Blois. Morris were low, but slowly the rate of links with other sides, and broadens spent a weekend in Drumshanbo, new recruits has increased. Today we • our entertainment value. Eire, as guests at their An Tostal regularly put out two or three sets and, festival. Traditional British Clogs without recruitment campaigns, usually It’s this approach that won us our get new members joining each season. greatest celebrity fan, the folk singer • twice visited Germany at the Phil Howard - Clogs & Leatherwork Looking back over 50 years, here’s invitation of the local male voice what worked for us: choir in Oberturkheim, Stuttgart. Full-time professional Clog Maker • Entertainment. Our approach is as • danced at over 160 different pubs much street theatre as preserving in Brighton and Sussex. All clogs are made entirely on the premises using only my own soles tradition. We grab attention by • brought smiles to thousands of being energetic and exciting to people, their children and dogs, (not machine made) and full-grain leather uppers watch. provided photo-opportunities for tourists, modelled for a fashion Also: re-wooding and resoling; standard and extra-hard rubber soles (shods) and heels supplied; • Inclusivity. We take in anyone shoot, sung ourselves hoarse and original unused clog irons available, including clog nails who wants to dance with us and is prepared to learn our style. supported our local brewery, the Leatherwork including: badges, keyrings, ear-rings, bell pads, belts etc. New recruits can dance out as famous Harvey’s of Lewes. My own work so other designs can be made. soon as they feel confident. Above all it has been, and still is, fun. • Innovation. We believe morris is a In the words of one newspaper review, For up-to-date prices and details of events, visit: www.nw-clogs.co.uk living dance form; we develop our we start our second 50 years as we Brighton’s award-winning jig team at Sidmouth, 2018 c 0161 494 0224 m [email protected] w www.facebook.com/philhowardclogs own interpretations and one of L-R: Saskia Heriz, musician, Ben Schwausch and Chris Rudd ended the first 50, as the ‘improbably our members has created a set of Photograph by Charlotte Dover nimble Brighton Morris Men.’

22 23 fed www.morrisfed.org.uk fed www.morrisfed.org.uk Winter/Springextra 2019 Winter/Springextra 2019

provision of disabled access to meet the was created. SEFAN evolved to become a opportunities to perform at events beyond requirements of the forthcoming disability funded, independent organisation in 2004. the Festival, including dancing out with discrimination legislation. Because of the John attended the meetings from the early Ditchling Morris. Shirley had this to say building’s listed status the problems were days and officially joined the board in July about the Festival and John’s part in it: John considerable, but the ground floor meeting 2005. He remained an active member rooms and the all-important Vaughan of the Board of Directors until SEFAN’s “With nine schools taking part it's truly Williams Memorial Library were made closure in 2015, whereupon he joined the one of the most cheering (and sometimes accessible via an external stair lift and committee of The Stepback Consortium, moving) sights - so many children enjoying disabled toilets were also provided. which continues the three funded projects dancing the Morris in a huge marquee at Bacon within SEFAN, namely Meltdown Ceilidhs, Plumpton Race Course. And the children Not only did John take responsibility for Stepback Higher Education and the East are really involved, except perhaps when the development of plans to secure this Sussex Schools Dance Festival. their attention wanders to see if Mum and disabled access but he also arranged the Dad are in the audience! necessary planning permission and listed During post-meeting networking after building consent, supervised the work the first SEFAN meeting, John was one Watching this, in John's benign and EFDSS himself to minimise the costs to the Society of a group that decided to investigate smiling presence, is a truly heart-warming and undertook all the fund raising. More setting up a new English Ceilidh series in experience, and you know that Morris than a dozen applications were written Sussex. Meltdown English Ceilidhs held dancing is in safe and caring hands. I feel and followed up; most did not succeed but the first three pilot dances in Haywards very proud to know John and Ann and Gold Badge this did not deter John, who finally secured Heath in Autumn 2001 and still continues proud of them, too.” over £30,000 worth of funding for the to run five or six dances each year in the project. winter months. John has been part of the The EFDSS Gold Badge is awarded to those Meltdown Committee from the start and, who have made unique or outstanding Citation Barry As Trustee/Director of EFDSS with a according to fellow-organiser Fee Lock, contributions to the art or science of Goodman particular interest in dance John was has kept the idea of “best band, best folk dance, music or song, or have given John’s involvement with the world of folk started in 1981, on foreign shores, actively involved in the “Morris Futures” caller, best time” steadily on track. Fee exceptional support in furthering the aims as a member of The Amazing Headbangers Morris Men of Cyprus. project to produce film material to promote adds that… “John never hesitates to make of the Society. John has clearly met all of the Morris, especially to young people, sure that anyone looking a little unsure these criteria in his tireless involvement in, Although he also became a member choreography still influences my dancing between the three organisations during using finance and resources within the of themselves knows that it's perfectly and promotion of, so many aspects of folk of Brighton Morris from 1983 to 1988, now. Most of all he taught me to respect the campaign over the licensing laws. The Morris organisations and EFDSS. He acceptable to come along unaccompanied music and dance, his vision and expertise he spent most of his working life as a the audience: morris is street entertainment JMO continues to exist, meeting together took the lead in this project while on the and make new dancing partners. in the transformation of Cecil Sharp House chartered engineer abroad and, landing in and performance, not about the dancers to discuss matters of mutual interest, EFDSS Council. John was also directly Sometimes he will do this by asking people and his enthusiasm for the education of Hong Kong, soon became involved with themselves.” maintaining insurance coverPhotographs over bythe Kate three White responsible for the EFDSS involvement to dance; sometimes simply by starting the young people in the folk arts. There can Hong Kong Morris, of which he is still a organisations and presenting a National in two European Communities’ dance dancing off with Ann” be no doubt that the award of this Gold member of the UK section. He is proud that Morris is certainly street entertainment, Day of Dance each year to showcase projects. The first of these was the Badge to John Bacon is long overdue and when the team visited Sidmouth Folk Week and the Government’s proposals for the Morris dancing in different parts of the WebDance project, completed in January Another SEFAN project that John has been thoroughly deserved. in 2017 it included local Chinese dancers 2003 Licensing Act threatened to prevent country. This annual event stems from 2005, which involved working with the very closely associated with is the East as well as ex-patriots. morris dancers from performing outside the morris dancing day held in Trafalgar University of Hertfordshire, universities in Sussex Schools Dance Festival. Indeed, the Barry Goodman is a past President of The pubs, which would have had a serious Square in November 2003 to recognise Cyprus, Lithuania and Switzerland and IT project was instigated by John, who did the Morris Federation and sometime Chair of On their return from Cyprus, John and his effect not only on the morris, but also on the exemption. John took on the role companies to provide web-based facilities fund-raising, found the tutors and brought Bedfordshire District of the EFDSS. He is a wife, Ann, settled in Ditchling, East Sussex, the extent to which British people would of co-ordinating the Day of Dance with to exchange information about traditional the local schools on board to learn a variety singer, musician, caller and folk arts educator where they were the driving force behind be exposed to an important part of their Westminster City Council and the morris dance using 3-D moving images of a solo of dance styles, which they perform at a and a long-time member of Redbornstoke the founding of Ditchling Morris, a mixed own traditional culture. John had been organisations, ensuring that the dancing Morris dancer. much-anticipated, joyful gathering each Morris. family side dancing Cotswold Morris, of elected as the first male President of The reflected the breadth of English traditional year. Themes which John has been Squire, Foreman and Morris Federation (formerly the Women’s dance and providing a template that is still The subsequent OpenDance project have included Bagman over the years. As well as running Morris Federation), and one of his most in use today. built on this and applied the technology “Hobby workshops at Chippenham, Sidmouth and outstanding achievements was to work to teaching traditional dance using 3-D Horses”, Broadstairs Festivals, John was keen to with the Morris Ring, Open Morris and John was co-opted to the National Council images of a Morris dance and an English “Green encourage young dancers in the Ditchling EFDSS in lobbying to make the views of of the EFDSS in 2000 and formally elected social dance. Simple lesson plans were Men”, “Well side to strive for excellence by introducing the folk community known to central and in 2001. He served as a Trustee/Director developed and could be explored via the Dressing” them to the John Gasson Jig Competition, local government. This included meeting until 2005, becoming Vice Chair of the Internet. It is due to John’s work that … and “Folk held each year at Sidmouth. Together with with Kim Howells, then Under-Secretary Council. John had been recruited to widen both projects created a wider European Song”, in Ann he coached and provided music for of State for Culture, Media and Sport and the Council’s scope and experience, as at exposure for EFDSS as well as enabling which EFDSS young members of the side with great working with Lord Redesdale to table an the time he was also the President of The young people to use information President and success, resulting in Hattie Vail’s winning amendment to the Bill, which resulted in Morris Federation. Characteristically he did technology in new and exciting ways. SEFAN Patron solo jig in 2000, accompanied by John as morris dancing being exempted from the not limit his interests to dance but used Shirley Collins musician, and Jack Worth winning in 2010. licensing provision. his skills and talents to further all the work Living in Sussex, John was keen to develop was involved, Jack says: “John encouraged me to enter the of the EFDSS, taking a special professional folk activities in the local area and attended choosing and Jig Competition after less than 18 months John’s other great achievement as interest in the structural condition and the first Folk Arts Network meeting at the teaching some of dancing. He was very generous with his President of The Morris Federation was the maintenance of the EFDSS headquarters, South East Arts offices in Royal Tunbridge of the songs. time as a coach to prepare for entering, and formation of the Joint Morris Organisation, Cecil Sharp House. A key concern Wells in 2000, as a result of which the The children the advice he gave me on dance style and which was a result of the close relationship when John joined the Council was the South East Folk Arts Network (SEFAN) are given

24 25 fed www.morrisfed.org.uk Winter/Springextra 2019 Paul White's DIARY Calling all Daves, and when is a greenhouse not a greenhouse?

greenhouse will once again These obstacles I overcame but go. Those who come sometimes come back into its own. I lost a complete day looking for can't hack it. Others look for orch. Vestibule. Hallway. the wood glue and panel pins. challenges elsewhere. Lobby. Verandah. They Despite its relative success as a Not in the greenhouse. Not in the differ in varying degrees. sunny workshop, there is the odd car. Not in the place where I keep We have tried posters, which But any one of them event that serves to frustrate. the lawnmower. They had clearly have had limited response. Pwould do. There was a case in point earlier been nicked! They eventually Stories and pictures in the local this week. Two members of turned up, of course, but I only press have gained us recognition Our cottage door opens straight our fledgeling morris side have found them by accident. In the but thus far no newcomers. Slubbing Billy’s out onto the garden. kitchen! Don’t ask me A Facebook page (Common The elements have why, I have no idea. Morris) gets people talking. Slubbing Billy’s debrief at no trouble gaining The Gate to Southwell Festival 2018 entrance. Leaves and But we now have two Perhaps the best results so far open workshops grass cuttings carpet boards, two eager have come as a result of our 2018 was another wonderful summer of dancing, including one of our favourite festivals the floor. And where dancers and once performances. That gets the word at Southwell with fabulous weather, great dancing, lots of laughs with friends old and to put muddy boots, they hop aboard and about as well as anything. new, and fabulous scarecrow creations, the Billy’s then looked forward to the second dripping raincoats and strut their stuff, all of their biannual open workshops. wet doggies? the frustrations of the One night when the hall wasn't construction phase will available because the local The first Slubbing Billy's workshop in February 2018 a very healthy demographic ranging from pre- A vestibule would be instantly eased. gardening club was staging its was a great success, bringing the side three new teen to ‘quite a bit more than teen’ and musical be my choice. I don’t annual show, we all headed for dancers and the promise of more later in the year, accompaniment including the usual boxes and know how it differs For they will be part the pub, invited friends along and we were excited to host the second in October. fiddles, several drums and a banjo! from some of the of our performance, and had a really enjoyable music others but it is such which will be a good night. We repeated that the Dancers and musicians, old and new, young or less For more information email: a lovely word and it thing from many following month and there is so, are always very welcome. We currently have [email protected] sounds the business. perspectives. It will another one coming up. These Jo instantly increase our sessions also help to spread the Squire As a stop gap we range of dance, it will morris message. erected a greenhouse give two musicians a 'Billy the Scarecrow' at just outside the door. chance to get up and There is another recruitment The Gate to Southwell Festival 2018 Sally’s board in action This was going to be a boogie like the rest of method I am about to try. My repository for welly boots, soggy discovered that they both us and it will be something very middle name is David. One of the garments and winter coats, as have a talent and penchant for different for the audience. other blokes in the side is called well as a towel to rub down the Appalachian dancing. They’ve got David. And so is the other. Two dog. And it worked! But gradually, the energy, the desire, the shoes: Our side is small but, of course, weeks ago, we were aware of a it filled up with other stuff, too. now all they wanted were boards perfectly formed. Eleven people bloke hanging about outside the Hammers, saws, screws, electric to dance on. altogether. Four musicians and hall. He was there to try out this drills, chisels; indeed, all manner seven regular dancers. The morris thing. His name is David. of tools and implements as well I had the materials lurking in dancing element is made up of as large lumps of wood. the depths of the greenhouse four women and three blokes The David factor is strong in this and while the construction is (including yours truly). side. Problem solved. A quick A greenhouse is not the ostensibly a simple task, finding email to everyone in the parish ideal building in which to be the bits and cutting them to Recruitment is an ongoing with a David moniker should manipulating lengths of 4 x 2 and size in the confines of the process. People come and people boost numbers handsomely. sheets of plasterboard. But needs greenhouse/workshop/welly must. For not only do we lack store proved just the opposite. Journalist, editor, ukulele player, and singer, Paul White has been vestibule but we are also without Finding space to chop plywood dancing the morris since the year 2000. He is a founding member of any kind of workshop. into the right shape was not easy. both Wreckers and Cat's Eye in Cornwall, helped form Couptrain Morris So far, amazingly, no broken glass. I had to be careful with lengths of (France) and Turncoat, and has also danced with Lodestone. Paul can My next big project is to build batten in order to leave the glass occasionally be found in Europe introducing fellow campers to the myself a workshop and then the walls intact. joys of morris, using baguettes, umbrellas, or tent poles for sticks. Airborne! contact: [email protected] twitter: @morrisbells or Facebook

26 27 Kinfauns Step Dancers

The Morris Federation and Kinfauns Step Dancers extend a warm welcome to all members of the Morris Federation to join us in a day of dance in Perth, Scotland on Saturday 28th September 2019, followed by the Morris Federation AGM at 4.30pm at the Salutation Hotel. Perth is a beautiful and historic city on the banks of the River Tay. Come and view the stunning scenery of the Perthshire hills and explore the intriguing royal history of this ancient capital of Scotland as you are guided around the city by our stewards. Why not visit https://www.perthcity.co.uk to find out more? All dance spots are within easy walking distance of the centrally positioned Salutation Hotel which is our base for the day. There will be a Scottish ceilidh in the hotel in the evening with the popular Cragganmore Ceilidh Band. And on Sunday there will be dance and music workshops led by guests from across the Federation. We look forward to welcoming you for the weekend. If you have any queries or require any further information, and to book, please contact [email protected] The fair city of Perth is also the home of the Perth Glovers’ Sword Dance. Their 17th century dance costume is on display at the Perth Museum & Art Gallery. This is an ink and wash drawing of the Ancient Morrice dancers’ dress in possession of the Incorporation of Glovers of Perth by J G Howie c.1840. Reproduced courtesy of Perth Museum & Art Gallery, Perth & Kinross Council.