www.morrisfed.org.uk

fedThe quarterly newsletterextra of The Morris Federation Autumn 2017

Inside this issue... Becoming a clog maker Simon Brock takes us on the first stage of his journey New Esperance Celebrating diversity and winners of best parade team at Pride London Happy birthday to... Rivington Morris (40) Bourne Borderers (25) and Buttercross Belles (25) Day of dance Bringing folk culture to the city of Hull www.morrisfed.org.uk www.morrisfed.org.uk fed www.morrisfed.org.uk fed extraAutumn 2017 extraAutumn 2017 fedextra inside Autumn 2017 this issue Autumn 2017

Our Day of Dance – Hull City of Culture New Esperance 16 at Pride London 07

Becoming

Bridport Boss a clog Rampant Ellington Festival 08 Morris 10 maker 14 Rooster 18 Morris 26 Welcome to the Autumn The 'First' Bridport Folk Becoming a Clog Maker: Buttercross Belles: Ellington Morris: dancing and Cover Stars issue: a message from the and Dance Festival: Simon Brock takes us on celebrating 25 years of North making merry around Lake 04editor 08a review by the organiser 14the first part of his journey 20 West Morris in Otley 26Garda and beyond Wakefield Morris, The Morris Federation Day of Dance, Hull – Contact your committee: Ridgeway Step Clog and Our AGM Day of Dance: Belfagan Morris: dodging Marlings Morris: a French City of Culture, September 2017 details of how to get in Garston Gallopers: moving pics of the day in Hull – the showers at Largs Viking adventure at Le Doulieu Photograph: Sam Ross 04touch 09 and shaking in Belgium 16city of culture 21 Festival, Ayrshire 28Ducasse Do you have a great action picture of your team that President's prologue: Boss Morris: a new team Rampant Rooster: braving NYFTE: can you help give Hook Eagle Morris: a roundup could feature on the cover introducing the mastering making tracks into different the storms at Wickham youngsters the opportunity of events and dance-outs – of FedExtra? performance workshop audiences Festival to get to know English folk? in pictures 05 10 18 22 29 Send a high quality image suitable to print in A4 portrait format, Rivington Morris Dates for your diary Mayflower Morris National Morris Weekend: Silkstone Greens in Berlin : 40 years  : events : stomping a : some background info about of women's North West and workshops coming up and shaking and enjoying roundup of the event and the an Easter weekend of dancing your team, details of where and 06Morris 12in the new year 19a year of big days out 23winners of the Evesham Stick 30and friendship when the image was taken, and the photographer's name to: New Esperance at Pride Chelmsford Morris: Bourne Borderers: Crook Morris: proving that Paul White's Diary: adventures [email protected] London: winners of Best harnessing the power of local celebrating 25 years of the small town of Kendal was on the road to Hull, and an 07Parade Team 13and national press to recruit 20Border Morris 24up to the challenge of DERT 31invite to dance in Cornwall www.morrisfed.org.uk 2 3 fed www.morrisfed.org.uk fed www.morrisfed.org.uk extraAutumn 2017 extraAutumn 2017 Sam Ross, Newsletter Editor • [email protected] • 64 The Batch, Farmborough, Somerset, BA2 0AJ • 07849 055 339 guidelines for submission of articles

Please send articles as doc, docx, txt or odt formats. Articles over 750 words will be trimmed, and all articles will be subject to copy editing for both readability and space restrictions. President's Please accompany all articles from the with at least three high quality contact your images. Any images embedded in prologue documents should also be sent editor committee separately. Hello! I hope you've all the point, and can leave a really water. I really hope to see lots welcome to the Autumn issue of Morris FedExtra Melanie Barber, President If images are very large, please had a great dance out season, be interesting dance appearing of North West and Cotswold use WeTransfer.com to send s we head deeper to aging members and a lack • [email protected] it at festivals, local galas or just flat and lifeless. I'm not going dancers there, and we hope photographs and text documents into the practice of new blood. Unfortunately, • 72 Freedom Road, Walkley, outside your local pub. to name names here – that's you will find it a worthwhile Sheffield, S6 2XD together, rather than sending season, I am the realisation that ongoing not my style – but if you would use of a weekend. • 07812 656 036 multiple emails. reminded of how recruitment was needed came A massive thank you to our appreciate any feedback then thin the line is too late and a final push at the Fee Lock, Secretary 2017 Day of Dance and AGM please email me. The next Joint Morris Photographs and illustrations between having a eleventh hour bore no fruit. hosts - Beverley Garland, Green Organisations' National Day should be jpg, eps, tiff or pdf, comfortable number of dancers It is, however, gratifying to see • [email protected] Ginger Garland, Makara Morris On a related subject, we of Dance is being hosted by although other file types may be A • 28 Fairstone Close, Hastings, on the books and barely enough that Chelmsford Morris (page and Rackaback Morris – for are planning a 'Mastering Open Morris in Peterborough accepted. East Sussex, TN35 5EZ to scrape a set together. 13) managed to avoid the same a wonderful day in Hull on Performance Workshop on Saturday 19 May 2018. • 01424 436 052 Make sure you have appropriate fate in their men's team through Saturday 23 September. It was Weekend' on the 28-29 April Details should be out soon, permission to publish all words One of my teams frequently hard work and some fortuitous great to see so many teams out 2018 at North Muskham but please remember that The Jenny Everett, Treasurer and pictures. fluctuates in numbers, and last national news coverage. and about. One of the aspects Community Centre, near Morris Federation places will year was both our best and • [email protected] that teams really appreciated Newark. The weekend is still be on a first come first served Credit will be given to our worst. At its peak the team I am pleased that many teams • Willow Cottage, 20 High Street, Sutton- was having their own City of in the planning stages, but basis, so please make sure photographers, and captions on-Trent, Newark, Notts, NG23 6QA numbered a grand total of 12 are constantly aware of their Culture Ambassador as a tour will incorporate workshops your place is confirmed before printed, where provided. • 01636 821 672 (including two musicians), but predicament and make annual guide. We're not always going on performing traditional booking accommodation. Also, after three left for far-flung inroads into preventing their Mike Everett, Archive Officer to be as lucky to have city and evolved North West and if your team have dropped out lands, and two have taken leave extinction. As an old friend ambassadors available, but Cotswold Morris, including how of previous days of dance then publication of absence, our single recruit has said to Somerset Morris before • [email protected] it is something that is worth you use the space available and I will be double checking your • Willow Cottage, 20 High Street, Sutton- schedule 2018 led us back to the minimum six moving on to pastures new, considering by future hosts to how you present yourselves. commitment before allocating a on-Trent, Newark, Notts, NG23 6QA dancers and two musicians. "You need to continue to recruit help with the smooth running Between workshops there place as they are limited. • 01636 821 672 Winter even when the team is strong, of the day. The AGM went will be panels and round table Deadline for articles: My first team had to hang up as no one will join a team that well with both motions being discussions on subjects such as As always, as we head into Jerry West, Notation Officer 15 December 2017 their bells just one year shy appears to be failing." passed, one unanimously and team kit, how to run a practice, the winter months, it's time • [email protected] Publication date February 2018 of their 40th anniversary due Wise words. the other with a large majority, team strategy, making a dance to reflect on what we need to • 23 Avondale Road, Fleet, and everyone that wanted to a performance, and audience concentrate on in practices to Sam , GU51 3BH Spring comment on the discussions had awareness. There will be an make sure that next season is an • 01252 628 190 or 07754 435 170 Deadline for articles: time to do so. Full minutes will early booking discounted rate even better one. Happy Dancing! deadline for next issue: 15 Dec 16 March 2018 be online as soon as possible, available to Morris Federation next issue published: Feb 2018 Publication date May 2018 Co-opted committee and hard copies will be published members before we open PS Don't forget to complete with next year's AGM papers. the event up to all comers, a feedback form for New Kevin Taylor - Web Editor Summer advertising rates so watch out on our website Esperance about the 2018 • [email protected] Deadline for articles: My one disappointment in the and Facebook page for further AGM weekend. The form is For the current rates and advert You can also download a copy 15 June 2018 sizes, please contact the editor: from the FedExtra pages on our day was to see a number of details. We did originally plan downloadable from our website Publication date August 2018 [email protected] website: www.morrisfed.org.uk Advisors teams walking dances rather to include a far wider range of at www.morrisfed.org.uk than dancing them. I personally traditions, but decided to start Sally Wearing - Health & Safety Advisor Autumn feel that this completely misses with just a couple to test the useful info • [email protected] • 0118 946 3125 Melanie Deadline for articles: 14 September 2018 Contact all Morris Fed members: Update your team's contact details: John Bacon - Licencing Bill Advisor Publication date November 2018 [email protected] [email protected] • [email protected] keep it social @morrisfed @MorrisFed.org.uk

04 05 Rivington Morris celebrate 40 years

Rivington at Garstang with former members Photograph by Derek Blackburn It’s now 40 years since Rivington Morris, from near Bolton, Lancashire, was formed. Born into a world and area where there was still sometimes open hostility Mike to women dancing the morris, Rivington set out with Gott an agenda to simply dance their North West tradition as well as it could and should be danced, with vigorous stepping, big sets, and straight lines at all times.

There was definitely a Rivington On the Saturday, coaches took mind-set, which, 40 years down the everyone to dance in the Lancashire line is still there, with the team still market town of Garstang followed bloody-mindedly striving to dance by more dancing on the prom at the North West Morris as precisely Morecambe. In the evening there was and energetically as it can be, whilst a meal followed by a ceilidh at the club at the same time thoroughly enjoying where a number of former members themselves doing it. came along. Enough of them were still in good enough working order to join Rather refreshingly, we now often with the current line-up to put up three dance in the company of some of those sets to dance an impromptu Ashton – teams who wouldn’t have anything to the first dance the team learnt back in do with us back at the start. 1977. Sunday lunch time saw the teams New Esperance gather at a pub for some more dancing Back in June 2017 the team held a before everyone headed off home. weekend based at the Whittingham Zak Club, near Preston, to celebrate their Rivington practise on Wednesday Keir at Pride London birthday in the company of several nights 8-10pm at Blackrod Community other teams who have become friends Centre, not far from M61 Horwich As a long-established Some of our dancers who weren't yet in kit from walking to processional step the over the years. Junction 6, just off the A6. women’s Cotswold side, had learned the Esperance Processional and crowds went wild, and those of us who with currently around a third of were given kit for the day so they could gave out flyers to the audience found members identifying as LGBTQ+, parade with the rest of us, and we had that everyone wanted to hug and New Esperance Morris were our recently re-discovered and beautifully high-five us as we passed along the route. all wildly excited to be included refurbished banner to show the crowd who in the Pride London parade. we were. One team member had also been There had been some security concerns thoughtful enough to pack some canned in the run up to the event, given the We assembled in Regent Street on a gins and tonic to refresh us while we current volatile political climate, but the glorious, blazing Saturday in July, having waited for the signal to form up and set off. atmosphere on the day was wonderful – made a few modifications to our usual kit happy and relaxed and celebratory all the Best Parade Team. As there were 325 other for the occasion, our white hankies were Due to the enormous number of people, way through. groups there on the day this was a real swapped for rainbow ones and we all had groups, and floats in the parade it was honour, and a smaller group of Esps claimed rainbow shoelaces. We even co-ordinated a while before we actually got going, The next morning, shattered but proud the trophy on stage at Sunday’s Pride In The our make-up with everyone sporting but once we were underway it all went of ourselves, we were further thrilled to Park in Vauxhall. We’re looking forward to rainbow paint and glittery cheekbones. magnificently. Each time we switched hear we had been awarded the prize for doing the whole thing again next year!

Rivington at Newark Traditions Festival, 2017 Photograph by Mike Everett 06 07 fed www.morrisfed.org.uk fed www.morrisfed.org.uk extraAutumn 2017 extraAutumn 2017

Beltane Border Morris Garston Gallopers

The ‘First’ Bridport A Step and a Gallop and Dance Festival in Belgium Chris Jim What a Fantastic Festival we had. The music, dance, and colour were truly The organisers of the Artifoire, an artisan craft fair in the village of Hollain, are Deacon Crick spectacular and our thanks to all the dance sides who made the festival a success. immensely proud of their event, and rightly so, as what started 43 years ago in this small village south of Tournai, Belgium, with five local artisans, has We put out a call to support the first management on my part, and so I deeply All the dance sides Bridport Folk Music and Dance Festival apologise to all those dancers who had performed brilliantly, with grown to a three day event attracting 10,000 visitors. and you responded with numbers, good stayed on late to participate and for any energy and smiles to large appreciative humour, and enthusiasm. disappointment caused. On a brighter note crowds. Despite the heat of the summer Dozens of artists who work in wood, metal, Our programme involved three days of the village were accommodated with local though I, along with many others, have had sun they all created a truly electric clay, glass, paint, crayon, thread, and fabric, dance spots around the festival site, during families. We like to think we made a small Among the 26 dance sides including a constant barrage of emails, texts, and atmosphere. I am honestly and truly not only sell their wares, but demonstrate which we were able to show a variety difference and showed that not only are Border Morris, Cotswold Morris, Clog, tweets, praising the standard of the festival humbled by the commitment and belief their skills and explain the techniques of traditional English dance styles, and our traditions long, varied, and very much Appalachian, and even Bulgarian, were and the exciting programme it provided. that the dancers and musicians gave to the involved. culminating in a Sunday workshop with alive, but that we also share their spirit of Wessex Morris celebrating their 60th year – festival. We couldn’t have done it without the local traditional Walloon dancers. amity as good neighbours. here's to the next 60! However, the biggest The feedback locally and from afar has you. Music is also a huge part of the event, Earlsdon had us parading up and down, attraction were the inimitable Beltane been amazing and that is in no embracing a wide spectrum from the local albeit without their immaculate precision, Morris leaping with feigned aggression small part due to our wonderful My personal thanks go to dance choir and brass band, jazz, rock, blues, Ridgeway taught some basic clog step toward the crowds amidst the music dance sides, so co-ordinator Ian Cox (Wessex and Wyld). accordion, rockabilly (from St. Albans), and patterns, Garston led a traditional joining and sound of beating drums I feel the following should Ian worked tirelessly to organise the traditional street music from France and in dance, and we all did some interesting and on frequent occasions be addressed to you: dance programme and did a fantastic Belgium. local progressive circle dances with stopping the traffic as the job despite the many obstacles and our hosts. A group of Belgian men also crowds swelled into the 'Wow Bridport, where amendments thrown in his way. Artisan food and drink are also there performed an impressive longsword road. (Note to self, must did that come from? It in abundance, with butchers, bakers, dance, with great precision and intensity. be better prepared safety- took Sidmouth 40 years Thank you all, sincerely and well done all of confectioners, cheese makers, chocolatiers, wise next year.) to reach the standard of you, and please come back next year! brewers, and distillers. We were also invited to take a small part your first festival!' in the Belgian National Day celebrations, Not be outshone, the local side Each year the community invites one and in kit we attended a church service Wyld Morris, led by squire Briony 'Well done to the organisers country to bring its folklore traditions that celebrated the formation of the

Blair, worked tirelessly to perfect and Borderline of the first Bridport Folk Photographs by @DorsetbaysPhotography to the event. With Brexit in mind, the Belgian Nation State in 1830. We then perform their new Rope Dance specially Festival. It was just like Sidmouth in the organisers were keen to extend the hand moved to the war memorial, where each created to celebrate Bridport’s rope and good old days!' of continued friendship to Great Britain, of the fallen was remembered. It was an net industry heritage. Wyld also ran a very a sentiment echoed shortly after in the emotional event, during which we were successful Cotswold dance workshop We can be quietly proud of our Passchendaele commemorations, and formally welcomed in English. teaching Journeyman to a flock of willing achievements but not complacent. There Ridgeway Step Clog were invited. With close and some not-so-willing participants. were mistakes and we could have done links to Garston Gallopers Morris a joint We could not have been better looked better, but we couldn’t have put more party was formed and the organisers also after. We were treated with great Unfortunately, the Guinness World Record passion and commitment into bringing invited Earlsdon Morris and the Coventry respect, consideration, and generosity, attempt failed due mainly to lack of our festival to life. Mummers. and in accordance with the tradition of

Wyld Morris Ridgeway Step Clog

08 09 www.morrisfed.org.uk

Boss Morris at WOMAD Festival fedextraAutumn 2017 Photograph by Helen Rogers • www.helography.co.uk

Ewegenie and Sweet Red Onion backstage at the Barbican Top + Bottom: Boss Morris at the Royal Academy Jackie-in-the-Green maiden outing on 1st May at Photograph by Mark Rogers The Prince Albert, Rodborough • Photograph by Mark Rogers

four-bed chalet to find two more bottles of House in South Kensington for their may have been an impersonator) to the Boss Morris spirits had joined my bottle of gin on the Festival of British Folklore, Punchdrunk music of Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights, A new team making tracks into different audiences kitchen table. The dances went well, but Theatre in London for the opening of their the Creative Bath Awards, Stroud Goodwill sadly the festival went bust on the Sunday! production facility ‘Village’, ’ Evening, and Stroud Wassail. Boss Morris, started in the summer of 2015 in Stroud, Gloucestershire, As Stroud District has five Lodestar tour where we danced at The led by Alex Merry (ex-Belles of London City) and Steve Rowley. other thriving morris teams, So why haven’t you seen Boss at a folk Colston Hall Bristol, The Barbican, Warwick As well as dance spots, Boss were the cover The members were drawn from the buzzing creative arts scene in Stroud I couldn’t see a need for Mark festival or dancing out with other teams? Arts Centre, and Liverpool Philharmonic photo for the May edition of fROOTS (many having worked for Damien Hurst at some point in their careers), another and I was already Rogers Good question! Boss have been quite Hall (the wonderful Brighton Morris were (since which the editor is rumoured to have so not surprisingly the kit has always been a little on the unusual side. quite busy with The Outside busy outside the folk circuit. We’re not also involved in the tour), The Royal been performing occasionally in the beast Capering Crew, non-folk avoiding the wider morris world and hope Academy Summer Social, various stages at crew), filmed two pop/rock videos and an Apart from Alex, none of the dancers had performed morris before, music commitments, work, to meet up with other teams next year, WOMAD, and Walthamstow Folk Festival. avant-garde video, with another rock video so they had a steep learning curve before their first spot at Stroud and family. I’d also seen a few social but rather than go to pubs on summer currently mid-production, spent an evening Festival in August 2015... media posts from a former Stroud Morris practice evenings, we’ve been practising We don’t only do big gigs. The initial filming for regional BBC news, had several colleague who had played for them on for forthcoming events. We feel that if concept was to perform at local arts events, professional photoshoots and a film crew Boss dance a Cotswolds style, alongside a 1st May saw the first appearance of occasion. I respected her as a good morris we’re being paid to perform, then the so we’ve done a midsummer festival at are booked in to make a short film about mediæval fighting dance. As most of their Stroud’s Jackie-in-the-Green, and one of musician, so thought that Boss certainly performance should be worth the money. Stroud’s Brunel Goods Shed (again with the team. audiences wouldn’t know their Fieldtown the Boss beasts won the Sidmouth Horse didn’t need me. Trembling Bells), Chalfest (where we were from their Leafield, Boss don’t worry about Trials in August. As well as ATP, in the last year Boss have finished in time to watch Dick & Dom), To find out more about Boss Morris, visit: sticking to individual traditions. That’s not In March 2016, I saw a request on the also performed at The Royal Albert Hall part of an International Women’s Day stage www.bossmorris.com, or find them to say the dances look messy or disjointed, Although I was vaguely aware of Boss’s web for a musician to play for Boss at a with Trembling Bells, Christies Auction show in Cirencester, dancing for Elvis (who on Facebook @bossmorrisdancers as a distinct coherent Boss tradition seems existence (I saw some walk past the festival, as Steve Rowley was unwell and to be forming and the music always fits previous summer whilst in a café), I’d not their other occasional musicians were with and enhances the dance. looked into offering to play for the team. not available. I was free on the festival dates, so volunteered – hell, I could see Traditional British Clogs The original concept of being eye-catching their rehearsal room from my porch, so it hasn’t changed in the last two years, but would have been churlish not to offer. To Phil Howard - Clogs & Leatherwork the costumes regularly do. That said, Boss their mild surprise, I asked if I could go to aren’t a ‘looks are more important than the a couple of practices before the gig – at Full-time professional Clog Maker steps’ team. Practices are for concentrated which I just stood quietly, not chatting dancing, leaving the admin to be sorted much, just playing along and familiarising All clogs are made entirely on the premises using only my own soles and costumes to be designed, discussed, myself with the music and dance style. and worked on outside of rehearsals. (not machine made) and full-grain leather uppers Three weeks later I found myself in Pontins, Also: re-wooding and resoling; standard and extra-hard rubber soles (shods) and heels supplied; As well as dancers and a musician, Boss Prestatyn, for Stewart Lee’s ATP 2.0 original unused clog irons available, including clog nails have a 'beast crew'. Some teams have a Festival. Boss were booked there to dance single ‘animal’, Boss have at least eight for the folk rock band Trembling Bells (no Leatherwork including: badges, keyrings, ear-rings, bell pads, belts etc. available ranging from the bizarre (Sweet need for me to play), but would also be My own work so other designs can be made. Red Onion and Ghengis), through simple doing some ad-hoc dancing around the For up-to-date prices and details of events, visit: www.nw-clogs.co.uk hard-hat based Goat, to the divine festival over the weekend. I knew the Ewegenie. team were alright when I went back to the c 0161 494 0224 m [email protected] w www.facebook.com/philhowardclogs Lazing at Liverpool – backstage at the Shirley Collins gig at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

10 11 fed www.morrisfed.org.uk extraAutumn 2017 diary dates 2018

12-14 January 28-29 April Whittlesey Straw Bear Festival Mastering Performance Workshop Weekend Historic festival in Whittlesey nr Peterborough Hosted by The Morris Federation, www.strawbear.org.uk North Muskham Community Centre, near Newark www.morrisfed.org.uk 23-25 February IVFDF 19 May Hosted by Five Rivers Morris, Sheffield The JMO National Day of Dance http://ivfdf-2018.ceilidhsoc.org Hosted by Crosskeys Clog, Peterborough www.jmodayofdance.com 18 March Sherborne Workshop (Improvers) 22 September MILDLY ECCENTRIC Hosted by The Knights of King Ina, The Morris Federation AGM Keinton Mandeville, Somerset Hosted by New Esperance Morris, www.koki.org.uk Cecil Sharp House, London Chelmsford Morris’ search for men Celia Kemp “Do you have to be mildly eccentric to be a morris as part of his kit. Ah, the Know of an event that could be featured here? dancer?” was the question that floored me. fashions of youth! Send details to [email protected] I thought that being a morris dancer defined you The Morris Federation is not responsible for events organised by external organisations as mildly eccentric, rather than eccentricity being The two who joined an entry requirement. It seemed that ‘mildly first are already dancing eccentric’ was the phrase from our press releases out with us at a pretty that caught the imagination. fair standard, and their enthusiasm has revitalised Chelmsford Morris is a joint side TalkSport Radio and BBC us all. Beautifully handmade leather goods – men’s Cotswold and Ladies’ Scotland. The height of our North West Morris. We all glory pride was becoming an item Our predicted ‘Final Fling’ by folkies for folkies in the high standards and sheer on The News Quiz on Radio 4, weekend has been happily fun of our women’s side, but followed by a mention on the downgraded to a day of the men were short of numbers BBC Breakfast programme. celebration for 45 years and long in years. Last autumn and the future of the side. Chelmsford Morris it was decided that the men’s The Sunday Times dallied with side would fold up this summer, us, and the London Metro after its 45th season, if no new printed a small paragraph, Contact Simon Brock members could be found. but BBC Online picked up the story, and sent a chap along to e: [email protected] I sent press releases to the local the men’s practice. papers, who both published 0114 233 6146 / 07958 15 45 05 decent articles and pictures. He interviewed all the I sent press releases to local members, joined in with www.leatherforfolkies.co.uk radio and television and to some dancing, and produced relevant parish magazines, a really worthwhile piece on facebook.com/leatherforfolkies which gave us some good Chelmsford Morris and morris coverage. By chance, a news in general. agency picked up on the theme. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk- It was just before and after england-essex-39065775 Christmas and the news was all Brexit and terrorism, so I think Through all this publicity we we provided a little light relief. have attracted three new men, all via the local media, as we Coming What surprised me was the would expect. One is the same article and photo in the Daily age as most of the existing Telegraph. Excellent! And this side, one is middling, and one soon... was followed by a flurry of is young enough to wear tight media interviews – including stretch jeans without socks

CLOGS 13 fed www.morrisfed.org.uk fed www.morrisfed.org.uk extraAutumn 2017 extraAutumn 2017 SIMON BROCK

The journey

CLOG KNIVES to becoming BEFORE SHARPENING a clog maker Photographs by Simon Brock Episode 1: serendipity, generosity, and big scary knives

For the uninitiated, arguably the most southerners!), and a bottle of The first in a series of articles about clog making, essential, odd, and fearsome-looking Scotch, the latter expense beginning bits of kit in a clog maker’s toolbox are a proud tradition of paying for my my progress in which has been generously assisted the three clog knives: the block knife, clog making apprenticeship with by a grant from the Morris Federation. hollower, and gripper. whisky.

My wife and I plan to lash the block knife The knives had languished in a CLOG KNIVES AFTER SHARPENING to her motorbike and use it to deadly garage for maybe 25 years and write this article after visiting the good decisions, happy meetings and the effect riding around the post-apocalyptic were badly pitted – but invaluable. director of a leather merchant in generosity and goodwill of others has wastelands in the event of the collapse of I procrastinated about fettling them. Northampton. We were about five helped get me this far. civilization. I’m sure you can see why it’s I decided the best thing to do would minutes into our meeting when he suited to this task. be to stick my head in the sand and Iasked the big question: This started in 2010 when, at Whitby go and see Trefor again. Folk Week, I first met clog maker Trefor These tools haven’t been made since "Why do you want to make clogs?" Owen, a name familiar to the folk dance maybe the 1920s and, even constantly So it was in January, I lowered the world. Having trained as a cabinetmaker stalking eBay, are notoriously hard to tone of Trefor’s neighbourhood It’s a tricky one to answer. I enjoy making and being used to the tyranny of straight come by. But, in the second example of by parking the van on the sea wall things. I needed some footwear to get lines, and third-angle projections, chance meetings, an old boy in Dorset (broadside to some chilly winds married in. It’s one way to get round I was fascinated by the idea of making found out (via clog dance genius Melanie from Cardigan Bay!) and stayed folk festivals! Finally, I said something something with such bonkers compound Barber: who in serendipitous twist of fate there for a few days. A clog pompous like, "Because someone should curves as a clog sole; and was delighted Number 3 lives five minutes walk from enthusiast dropped into Trefor’s carry on the craft", and that’s my main when Trefor offered to teach me the my house) that I was looking for a set. He workshop while I was there and motivation. I’m happily making leather rudiments. was an ex-pat Lancastrian and gifted me promptly explained to me how to A DECENT PAIR OF CLOGS goods, and nobody ever got rich from his knives on condition that "they go back sharpen clog knives. I could scarcely BUT IT TOOK A WHILE clogs as far as I can tell; so something It was during that short stay with Trefor Up North [the fact that I was Yorkshire believe my luck: serendipitous TO GET TO THIS STAGE! must be spurring me on to put in the that I first encountered leather and born and bred didn’t seem to faze him] meeting Number 4. decided to teach myself leatherworking. and they get used". I’ve been able to fulfil time, money and effort required to My good fortune is only the start. Follow my journey over the next editions of FedExtra as I... become proficient at this obscure craft. Six years later I re-emerged, butterfly- both criteria. I scoured off the rust, sharpened like (ha!) into the folk world as ‘Leather the knives until I could shave with • cut down a tree • make some wedding clogs I might just as easily have answered, for Folkies’, and promptly got my bottom Remarkably, the clog knives only cost them (and, as it turned out, draw a • get a workshop • track down a popular face from the past "Because it’s my destiny to make clogs", kicked by Trefor for not having started me the fuel to get to Dorset, a pub lunch spectacular fountain of blood from which would have sounded even more making clogs yet. "You’ve got the knives", (laced with loudly proclaimed insults my thumb) and was all set to make • dig a sewing machine engineer • am awarded a grant from The Morris pompous! But fateful coincidences, he grumbled – and this was quite true. from my Lancastrian benefactor about clog soles. out of retirement Federation

14 15 Our AGM Day of Dance Morris Federation teams from around the UK took to the streets Persephone Sutton Masque of Hull, in advance of our AGM, on Saturday 23 September 2017. Photograph by Phil Gray Photograph by Sam Ross With thanks to Green Ginger Garland, Rackaback Morris, Beverley Green Ginger Garland Garland, and Makara Morris for hosting the event. Photograph by Phil Gray

Rumworth Morris Photograph by Phil Gray Minster Strays Rackaback Morris Photograph by Sam Ross Photograph by Sam Ross Bishop's Morris Photograph by Sam Ross Ripley Green Garters Photograph by Sam Ross

Sowerby Bridge Morris Makara Morris Michael Wood, East Riding Town Crier Photograph by Phil Gray Photograph by Sam Ross Photograph by Sam Ross Wakefield Morris Beverley Garland New Esperance Morris Photograph by Sam Ross Photograph by Sam Ross Photograph by Sam Ross

16 17 fed www.morrisfed.org.uk fed www.morrisfed.org.uk extraAutumn 2017 extraAutumn 2017

Rampant Rooster at , 2017 Photograph by Barbara Kerridge

RAMPANT ROOSTER MORRIS AT THE WICKHAM FESTIVAL A small group of Rampant Roosters were among the morris sides that danced at the Wickham Festival. Mayflower Morris Although the torrential rain As we were a small side for this by Wickham Morris Men and passing. had stopped by the first day event (four dancers and two Worcestershire Monkey danced Fortunately, Rosie ENJOYing A YEAR OF BIG DAYS OUT David of the festival, we still had musicians), our Foreman, Sheila with some members of Clerical neither Jo Mitchell Johnson to contend with erecting our Gray, had spent a lot of time Error, coming together with nor her fiddle Mayflower Morris, the women’s North West side from Ash Vale on the tents in 40mph winds. At one adapting most of the dances in Rampant Roosters to form a suffered any Hampshire/Surrey border have been stomping and shaking this year point we did fear that three of our repertoire for four people. scratch side – Rampant Error or lasting damage, and neither did all along the south coast from Devon to Sussex at festivals and days of dance. our dancers (plus the tent they This meant that we spent Clerical Rooster if you prefer. the Squire due to Jo’s restraint! were hanging on to) would end quite a while on Friday walking Kicking off in traditional fashion in July, with some high profile the 40th anniversary of the September saw us at the first up in Portsmouth Harbour. through the new routines – Our musicians – Alan Mead, We are particularly grateful to with Oxford in April, the team spots to entertain hundreds of Dartmoor Folk Festival, in Folk Dance Southampton, much to the amusement of our who usually plays for Ewell St. Alan who agreed to play for enjoyed quayside sunshine city centre shoppers. Victory the delightful and ancient organised by King John’s Morris Given the horrendous weather fellow campers). Mary, and our own fiddler, Jo us as our own box player was at Weymouth for the Wessex Morris excelled themselves village of South Zeal, where to be a city-wide showcase for the organisers did a magnificent Hughes, did a fantastic job. unavailable. Festival, and Folk on the Quay with their annual day of dance as well as being amazed as all local morris and other dance job to get the festival up and Roosters had been allocated Playing on the festival stage in Poole, where it was good to in Portsmouth, with 24 sides ever by the wonderful sides, and we wound up the running by Thursday evening, three dance slots on Saturday was a challenge as it was only All in all Roosters had a very see new morris faces as well as turning out to enjoy the Bampton Traditional Morris, season in October at the Lewes and despite ankle deep mud and three on Sunday. Our first a couple of hundred yards enjoyable time and if we are old. There were plenty of old sun and nautical vibes. Our we shared great spots with Folk Festival, always a good on the main festival site we stand each day was in the away from one of the main invited back next year would friends at Kennet Morris' 60th high spot so far has been an local sides Tinners Morris day in a lovely town. all enjoyed the music in the square in Wickham followed music stages. I doubt Alan and hope to field a larger side, if anniversary bash in Reading invitation to dance at and Cogs and Wheels. Great beer from Harveys too! main tents, including Andy by two further stands on the Jo could hear what they were only to save Sheila a lot of Fairweather Lowe and – festival stage. We gave good playing but they managed sleepless nights trying to make taking many of us back to our displays along with other magnificently, even when Jo’s figures work for four dancers youth. morris sides, which included a fiddle received a whack from instead of six or eight. massed Fanny Frail organised our squire’s stick as he was Photographs aby @DorsetbaysPhotography

Wickham Festival massed dance • Photograph by JoAnne Hughes Vixens with Rampant Rooster

18 19 fed www.morrisfed.org.uk extraAutumn 2017 Stuart We like to camp and dance and sing Wiltshire We like to eat and drink Showers? A date in June swiftly set Our weekend of dance to celebrate Our 25th Birthday A wee, a wee, a wee, a wee A weekend of dance was run Belfagan dodgem! A chance to celebrate.

The drum boomed out a clear four-beat The band began to play With a whoop and a cry And a scream and a shout Friends came to join in the fun John A tune we all could play Bird A tchoo, a tchoo, a tchoo, a tchoo A tune we all could play. Photographs by John Bird John by Photographs Bourne Borderers at 25 Reaching our quarter life entertainment and wonderful We had a more relaxed Sunday, crisis we took the chance dancing, plus the Saturday heading down to the Rutland to host a weekend of dance evening party pieces were as Steam Fair and enjoying the Belfagan Women’s Morris were and making an unusual spectacle. from 23-25 June 2017. memorable as always. wonders of steam engineering, invited to Largs Viking Festival We couldn’t resist a photo-call with and some dancing. by organisers seeking new dancers sitting in the cars, and their Inviting our friends Powderkegs, A big thank you to all the sides attractions. musicians and showman Warren, Ely and Littleport Riot, Rattlejag, who joined us in Stamford on 24 Thank you to Bourne Borderers standing between. and Black Sheep, to join us for the June. It was wonderful to see so members for running the event We were only too pleased to take weekend. They provided us with many sides in such a small town! and feeding everyone. our traditional dances north of the Maybe we could market this in this border for a weekend of dancing techy world – I can see the spiel: Bourne Borderers in motion Poacher Morris sacrificing their youngest alongside the Viking campsite on the 'Dancers! Tired of dancing in the seafront in this lively Ayrshire town. damp? Download the “Dodgems App". Instant cover for damp dancers A wonderful Saturday dancing for at the click of a heel.' crowds in hot sunshine was followed by a strong easterly wind bringing Belfagan Women’s Morris are still heavy rain for Sunday. But Belfagan going strong after over 35 years are up for anything and seeing an and during this summer have been empty covered space asked the dancing around the area raising dodgems owner, Warren Taylor, if money for Riding for the Disabled. Janet they could dance there. The result was an hour’s display of dances We practise at Eaglesfield Village Hindle before he switched on the power. Hall on Monday evenings at 7.45pm and would be very pleased to Passers-by were amused to find a welcome prospective new dancers. dozen dancers in mill-girl dresses For more information visit 25 Years of Buttercross belles and clogs rattling the metal floor www.belfagan.org.uk Large crowds turned out for this year’s May Buttercross Belles. Border evening with a re-union for Day celebration at Otley Morris side, Wayzgoose, also current and ex-Belles dancers Maypole, and the sun joined in the dancing, and the and musicians. Jaci Bowman, came out too. afternoon ended with a May The Buttercross Belles' Squire, Children, parents and the Day Mummers play performed said, ‘We had a very happy Town Mayor all enthusiastically by Otley Players. time sharing our dancing joined in the dancing, making experiences, with former Belles patterns around the Maypole This was a particularly special travelling from as far away parents and grandparents with the colourful ribbons. The May weekend for the Belles, as Switzerland and France to joining in to help us keep the event was organised by Otley’s as they celebrated 25 years join us. On May Day it was so dancing tradition going at North West Morris side, The of dancing on the Friday lovely to see so many children, Otley’s historic Maypole.’

20 21 fed www.morrisfed.org.uk fed www.morrisfed.org.uk extraAutumn 2017 extraAutumn 2017

All at the National Trust pub The Fleece Inn

Judy Watkins

NYFTE Have you got the skills, talent and dedication to work with the most amazing group of youngsters on the folk scene? National Morris Weekend NYFTE has given the opportunity to hundreds of youngsters to learn to love Dave This year's weekend event daytime tour, before returning processed from the our , song and dance traditions and perform them to a high Leverton had, as the weatherman all sides to the café on Abbey park up to the market standard, there are NYFTE 'pensioners' involved in the folk scene all over the country. said, 'The hottest days in Gardens to dance for each square where each June since 1976.' others' entertainment in the side had 10 minutes to If you're interested in joining a team to take We're intending to hold a meeting in NYFTE – The National Youth Folklore afternoon. show off their dances. over from Dave and Heather Leverton who January or February 2018 to discuss roles Troupe of England (pronounced 'nifty') We had three sides from North will be retiring at the end of 2018 please to allow the new team leaders to shadow – comprises 20-40 youngsters from Carolina, one North West In the evening two minibuses The Evesham Stick get in touch. the incumbents throughout the year and all over the country aged 10 -18 Morris, one Border Morris, ferried the sides to the National was presented at take over the reins from Spring 2019. who busk, present concerts and and one Garland. All arrived by Trust Fleece Inn, where there 3pm by the Mayor’s Dave has been involved since the inception run workshops at festivals throughout Friday evening, took advantage was a ceilidh in the marquee, representative to of NYFTE in autumn 1989 and has a great Please ask yourself - why not? the year. NYFTE present Cotswold of food at the rowing club and and mummers performed their the winning side – deal of experience to impart. (a variety of traditions), North-West then sessions which continued play during the interval. Domesday, after which For an informal no obligation discussion, and Border Morris; Garland; Longsword; into the early hours of Saturday the host side Belle Dames Rocket from North Carolina, USA There are a variety of roles to fill both please contact Dave and Heather Leverton: Rapper; Social, Playford and Ceilidh morning due to the fine Sessions in the pub went on d’ Vain performed their administrative and technical and a number [email protected] Dance; Clog and Step Dances; plus weather. late, with the last bus returning show dance, and Domesday If you are interested in coming of people have already come forward tel: 0117 9866316, or for more information solo items. The team members also at 1am and the session in the invited the public in to dance along, visit our website including a new artistic director. about the team visit: www.nyfte.org sing and play for all their performances. On Saturday morning coaches rowing club continuing for a with them. The end of yet nationalmorrisweekend.co.uk took everyone to various second night into the early another brilliant weekend. where you will find further villages around the area for the hours. details and booking forms. We are already starting to We look forward to Sunday began with organise next year's event. welcoming you! the American sides dancing in the church for the morning service, followed by the duck race on the river, which once again did not seem to know which way to flow.

After the prizes were handed out everyone

NYFTE at Priddy Folk Festival, 2017 NYFTE celebrating Hereburgh's 30th birthday with Silhill, June 2017 Belles & Broomsticks Morris from Guernsey 22 23 fed www.morrisfed.org.uk extraAutumn 2017

Whip the Cat Rapper Gaorsach Rapper

DERT 2017 WHY DID A MORRIS SIDE OFFER TO HOST IT? Feedback from our guests: Crook Morris has danced rapper for 25 years, and danced the same basic Let’s remember the brilliant "We love Kendal" - Red Mum "I organise our team for DERT, it can "Great to be able to circulate easily dance for many of them. In 2009 they gained new dancers with some rapper Friday night at Kirkbie Kendal Martyn (Denmark). be quite stressful. The minute we at the showcase." experience, and over the next three years a couple more dancers joined and School with the alternative Harvey wanted to learn. Time for Crook Morris to take a development step forward? judges and their ‘Bake Off’ got to our second pub in just five "First rate beer and at a decent price." One competitor who has 10 items competition. Entries were minutes I relaxed. Brilliant, thank he judges each DERT against A new rapper foreman, seven dancers, were ready. Our application to the Sword anonymous but it was won by Juliet "Best organised DERT in many a year." you." three musicians, and people up for Dance Union (SDU) was submitted. The Baddeley, Crook’s cake baking supremo. - two judges, one Sallyport, and one and gave Crook Morris ticks Tommying. We had a reasonable team, response came back remarkably quickly, Result! A5LMorrisXmas_Layoutpast organiser. 1 16/09/2016 14:08 Page 1 "Great job guys." - two SDU officers. against all 10. more figures, new steps and a smart new 'What a great idea! It’s yours.' What had we kit. Off to DERT we went, with some done? A brilliant bar that got through 11 barrels trepidation – but we had some success, of beer, 85 pints of cider, 7 litres of gin, KAREN CATER DESIGNS which encouraged us. We knew there would be a phenomenal 4 litres of damson gin, and 15 bottles of level of work. Let’s not dwell on the detail wine. Competition day with all the teams MORRIS CARDS After a couple of years of competing, we of the hiccups: the pub that was shut by intermingling, egging each other on. Typical had some questions. Why was DERT the brewery 10 days before the event Kendal weather – dry, hot, and clear skies. FOLKY CARDS almost always in a city? Why so much and the need to find a replacement; our An excellent showcase with another six CHRISTMAS & YULE CARDS walking from one competition pub to brochure map to be reprinted and stuck barrels of beer, free chocolate treats and www.hedinghamfair.co.uk the next? Why did we only meet 25% over the first print; the landlord who slept everyone could wander around freely. A T-SHIRTS of the other teams during the day? Why in - he should have been open as a warm post-showcase party that truly buzzed with was the showcase often a distance from up pub; the IT failure at the showcase on happy smiling faces, and finally, a relaxed CALENDAR OF the accommodation? And why was DERT Saturday night... Sunday workshop and meeting. mostly organised by ‘pure’ rapper teams? TRADITIONAL CUSTOMS Crook just set to and dealt with them. We didn’t reach the 28 teams of recent Our thoughts: Crook is good at organisation Challenges not problems! years but we’ll still manage to donate BOOKS and staging events (15 years of morris £1000 to the SDU, as we didn’t borrow BOUGHT & SOLD weekends), Kendal is a wonderful town any money (small town venues don’t ask with history, great pubs, atmosphere and for deposits). Kendal loved the colour, the MOUNTED PRINTS accommodation, and two main venues that excitement and the atmosphere, £600 was are really close together. raised for The Great North Air Ambulance, ENGLISH TUNE-BOOKS and the pubs had a great day. & TUTORS The groundswell of opinion grew. Was our rapper team up for it? Yes! Crook achieved what it set out to do GIFTS & JEWELLERY and proved that small towns can work PERFORMANCE; We went to the whole side for support - for DERT; there is less walking between we wouldn’t undertake it unless everyone pubs which gives more time to enjoy MUSIC, SONGS and was on board. Almost everyone was, and the other teams, and the showcase and FOLKLORE TALKS even those that weren’t said, 'Go for it!' accommodation being close together is a real bonus. Our merchandise all sold well By Karen & Colin Cater Two years before the proposed hosting, the The 'DERT Bake Off' winning cake and we had a financially successful DERT two main venues were reserved, and we made by Crook Morris' Juliet Baddeley with beer at £2.50 a pint! for a free illustrated catalogue; [email protected] 01787 462731

24 25 fed www.morrisfed.org.uk fed www.morrisfed.org.uk extraAutumn 2017 extraAutumn 2017

Bampton in Malcesine

Bear Dance Rapper in Malcesine Castle

police swiftly closed one of the three Our ferryman was exceeding his slot time above the tree line, looked more like an bridges across the Grand Canal thinking it and we had to abandon our friends and alien landscape. Our journey was marked might be an act of terrorism. The Venice leave for the coach. As the main body of by two long delays where a 6,000 strong Six, who had been masquerading as Malcesine tourists boarded the heavens stream of cyclists crossed the road and members of Ellington Morris, were trapped opened. Members of the party sitting in a diesel gave way to pedal power. on the wrong side of the bridge and comfortable dry seat in the coach let out a prevented from continuing their canal-side great cheer as the missing were eventually We were all a little disappointed and walk to the meeting place. absorbed back into their midst an hour surprised that our morris dancing hadn’t Penny later, looking more like drowned rats than drawn bigger crowds, even with the Time passed and everyone began to morris dancers in mufti. population numbers swelled by an influx Baron A GARDA CAPER assemble at the quayside in anticipation of German visitors on a four-day weekend. of the ferry ride back to the coach park. The day trip to the Dolomites took us But by virtue of being morris dancers and 19 Ellington Morris folk, musicians, dancers and their faithful followers, boarded an early Easyjet There are constant queues for space at through some spectacular scenery which musicians, with excellent food and drink flight to Italy in June, complete with all the paraphernalia needed for dancing and making merry. the quay so the boats work to a rigorous morphed from Italian to distinctly Alpine. around us, and in such a beautiful part of half horiz featuring shops may 17_Layout 1 15/05/2017 10:50 Page 1 schedule and are hovering with passengers At the highest point, beyond Pordoi, the the world, we all had a wonderful time and A coach transfer along the eastern shore to dance our traditional English morris On the Thursday, instead of strutting a boat length from land waiting their turn. temperature dropped by 25°C and being were sad when our week drew to a close. of the beautiful Lake Garda dropped us dances for you. Some of these dances are our stuff in the castle, we danced by the with goods and chattels in the centre of a hundreds of years old (and so are some of harbour which was ringed with cafes and delightful waterside town called Malcesine our dancers)." More laughter and applause restaurants. Here our audience numbers – the locals pronounce it Mal-ches-i-nay. from spectators. were more constant as most were in the Our hotel nestled comfortably in the process of eating and drinking so sat middle of the old town not far from the Our second slot at the castle was a tad back and enjoyed a slice of the action. since 1976 harbour, the funicular, central bus station, misjudged. By the time we reached the One of the waiters showed real promise RITAIN S OLK COUSTIC PECIALISTS and the castle, one of our dance venues. confines of the castle walls it was getting as a morris dancer, but was busy on a B ’ F & A S on for 6 o’clock and the castle closes at Wednesday evening, our regular date for Most of our repertoire is Cotswold with a 5.30pm. Only a handful of people were left practice and dancing out. sprinkling of Border for good measure, but wandering around and looked down on we had a quick run through with the rapper our floorshow from the battlements above. There were four destination choices for the swords on Monday afternoon so our final On a higher level still, the half dozen hang days we weren’t dancing and we covered number could be polished and impressive. gliders, coasting on the thermals in the sky all of them between us. First, a trip round over our castle, had a bird’s eye view and Lake Garda, next a visit to Venice, then one There were so many tourists milling I’m sure would have been clapping if they'd to Verona, and lastly the Dolomites. These around, we thought we’d need crowd had two free hands to put together. tours included a guide and cost extra, but control marshals. Bob, our Squire, had were well worth it. rehearsed a few words of introduction in Italian and on our first evening he started Venice proved most eventful. The coach boldly with: ‘Signore e signori, noi siamo i parked up, we transferred to the ferry, and Our shops stock all kinds of acoustic & folky Ellington Morris d’Inghliterra”. Even those from there to a point past the end of the of you whose Italian might be a little rusty, Grand Canal to the eclectic quayside. Our musical instruments from Britain and around the world! will be able to guess what this means. guide escorted us via St Mark’s Square to Our expert staff are always on hand to give you free, friendly advice. the foot of the Rialto bridge where she Encouraged by a lively reception, he went disappeared. We were free to explore at on to say: "Noi siamo qui per ballare la leisure and reconvene at 4:30pm where the BIRMINGHAM | BRIGHTON | BRISTOL | CANTERBURY nostra danza tradizionale inglese per ferry had dropped us. LEEDS| LONDON | MANCHESTER | SOUTHAMPTON voi. Alcuni di questi balli sono centinaio d’anni vecchi (e cosi sono alcuni dei nostri During the afternoon, an unattended bag ballerina)". And this means: "We are here was reported to the authorities and the Buy online www.hobgoblin.com or call 0333 800 9500 A promising morris dancer in Malcesine

26 27 fed www.morrisfed.org.uk fed www.morrisfed.org.uk extraAutumn 2017 extraAutumn 2017 It's been a busy old summer for Hook Eagle Morris

Marlings Morris performing in France

How wrong could we be? at a great Belgian restaurant in the nearby town of Estaires The route of the procession and were later invited to was just over a mile long, return next August. Marlings winding down the main street and into housing Should we do it again? developments to ensure all Definitely yes! Hook Eagle Morris Men 'sitting with Jane (Austen)' Photographs by Laurence Costaganna the residents could view during Alton Morris Day of Dance in Alton, Hampshire French Adventure the procession. However, Marlings is currently a side Photograph by Jonathan Buisson Laurence Costaganna and Veronique Loridan are two ladies who live in the small town of Le Doulieu unlike processions at UK folk of six dancers and five in Flanders, Northern France and love Britain so much that they have set up an organisation in their festivals, each side would musicians, but we are always home town called 'So British'. When visiting Kent last year they saw Marlings Morris dancing at Gillian process and then stop and keen to find new members. a local pub and immediately asked the side if they would like to visit France and take part in Bilsland perform several dances at Both ladies and gentlemen their local ‘Ducasse’ (festival) in 2017. Marlings are not a side to turn down an invitation and various locations along the dancers are welcome, so if immediately set about booking shuttle tickets! route. you live in the south-east, why not check out our We arrived on the first folk dances, and we were history of morris dancing A quick freshen up and we This gave us many Facebook page: Friday evening in August and surprised to see them perform and in particular North West were off to the village hall, opportunities to showcase @MarlingsMorris were pleasantly surprised to a dance with sticks, not Morris. for the Ducasse dinner and our dancing and was a lot of and website: receive an official welcome dissimilar to Cotswold, as well party where we performed fun. We were met with chants www.marlingsmorris.co.uk from Monsieur le Maire and as a maypole dance. With no time to rest, we were to 250 guests before joining of ‘we want more’ all along for more details and come the Ducasse Committee who whisked off to a charming everyone for dinner and a the route, plus beer and cake along to a practice night. hosted a dinner just for us. The French were unfamiliar and fascinating museum disco - what a party! We at the end! with morris dancing, however of mechanical musical decided to forego the dessert You could be joining us in Saturday morning saw us with several expert French instruments. Everything from course and made our excuses In the evening we had a France in 2018! up bright and early at the speakers amongst our side fairground organs, pianolas, at midnight, leaving everyone farewell dinner with our hosts Hook Eagle Morris Men performing 'Hay on Wye' village 'brocante' (street/flea we were able to explain the and music boxes to musical else to party the night away. on stage at the Wickham Festival, near , Hampshire market), where we entered toothbrushes! Photograph by Jonathan Buisson into the spirit and provided a The owner Sunday was a leisurely start stall selling handcrafted gifts, opened with some of the side visiting chutneys, jams and cakes especially for the nearby Ballieul bell tower, which proved to be very the side and whilst others visited the site popular. was happy to of the WWI Battle of Fromelle demonstrate and the Commonwealth War The side danced and all the Graves. performed music throughout beautiful the morning to the delight of instruments. Following another long lunch, the stallholders and visitors, This is really we prepared to participate before enjoying a long lunch worth a visit in the procession through with our hosts followed by a if you are ever the village which we were visit to the Rural Life Museum in Flanders, informed would take three at nearby Steenwerck. Here regardless of hours. ‘Surely not,’ we said, as we performed alongside local whether you're there were only twelve other folk dance group Vonchelle, a musician or local dance/musical groups in who perform Flemish not. the procession. Vonchelle performing a traditional Flemish 'maypole' dance Vonchelle performing a traditional Flemish stick dance A 'White Hart' triple — left to right: Boxhill Bedlam, Hook Eagle Morris Men, and Moonshine all perform their own version of Hook’s dance White Hart during the Wickham Festival 28 29 Photograph by Healey Newson www.morrisfed.org.uk Silkstone Greens dancing on Easter Sunday at Hackescher Markt fed extraAutumn 2017 Paul White's DIARY Adventures on the road to Hull (and back), and an invitation to dance in Cornwall

So many women! And Same goes for Wakefield Morris. chip shops in Skegness and so many of them in A clog side that really grabs the beauty of the town’s clog sides. It won’t be your attention. No fannying beach and coastline, awed month on the road long before we start hearing about here. The kicks are high, by the exhibits in the South gives you a new onlookers, on seeing a mixed or the ranting in unison, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and perspective on life. all-male side, saying, “I didn’t energy levels impressive. And if stymied in our intention to Silkstone Greens in Berlin Well, if it doesn’t, you know men were allowed to do it’s lines that turn you on, look visit Manchester, Chester, and Amight as well have stayed at that.” no further. Liverpool when a crane blew home. First stop on the tour up and caught fire causing Spaß in der Hauptstadt was at Swanage in Dorset, mayhem on the M62. where Sally was playing for her The Easter weekend saw a large group of Silkstone Greens North West Morris heading Fiona Dutton old pals, Phoenix Morris from So we changed our plans, cut over to Berlin for two days of dancing for our 10th anniversary, following an invite Rickmansworth, and I took time the trip short and headed from team member Emily Hewitt, who has been living there for a year. out to nip across the Channel home, in time for the Cat’s Eye on the ferry from Poole to AGM. In summary, enough dosh After an early start on Good Friday, to start, the heavens opened, but quick teaching them some of our dance Jacobs’s spend a couple of days with my in the bank to see us through, followed by a delay at Doncaster airport, thinking Joe Dreimann cleared it for us to Ladder, enjoyed a shared supper, and son and family near Cherbourg. a good year’s dancing was we finally arrived at our hostel in the heart dance inside the Deutsche Dom, where showcased some other traditional dance had and another one is being of Mitte and headed out to a bar selected we received a very warm welcome from such as rapper and a clog dance from On the way back I lost my lined up, new dances are being from Stuart Higson’s book ‘Around Berlin the staff and were invited to perform Melanie Barber. wallet waiting for the last bus learned, numbers are steady in in 80 Beers’. The price of beer is run like several dances. One of the staff then gave of the night to the campsite. both the dancing and musical a stock exchange, which crashes every so us a short presentation in English on the Easter Sunday saw us dance out in Disaster. But I found it again departments, and recruitment often sparking frenzied purchasing at rock German political system and we were able front of the famous Fernsehturm am the next day in a pub. Joy is encouraging. bottom prices, this makes for an interesting to look around the museum. An unplanned Alexanderplatz and the Hackischer Markt unlimited, and an opportunity if slightly crazy experience. experience which ended up being one of train station – good dancing despite the for a celebratory pint! It meant Oh, and we are planning a the highlights of the weekend. bitterly cold temperatures and drizzle. No I didn’t have to cancel all my weekend of dance in May. On Saturday morning we had time for some trip to Berlin would be complete without cards and spend hours talking Rain didn't stop the dancing in Swanage The venue is sorted, the sightseeing before meeting up in kit for That evening we met up with the obligatory Currywurst, a trip to the to the banks. So I was able to itinerary is in the process of our first dance out in the city. The warmup representatives of the Berliner Ampelmann shop, and a photo in front of keep to the original plan and Onwards and upwards towards These two sides are based not being organised, transport dance was followed by a short stroll to the Volkstanzgruppen for a social evening the Brandenburg Gate. A fantastic first trip see the main procession on Hull where many sides gathered much further than a stone’s planned, food in hand, and square in front of the Französische and and sharing dance traditions. We learnt a abroad for Silkstone Greens. Where shall we Saturday, which ends up along to mark the 2017 Morris throw apart and Wath on there is a bar. All that’s left is Deutsche Dom. Just as we were about few figures from their dances, as well as go next year? the sea front and with each Federation AGM with a day Dearne is located just about to get a few sides involved. side dancing through a long of dance. For us, the joy was equidistant from their home Invitations are out and some arch made by all the other being able to see sides we can cities. Now, if I can just knock have confirmed, others have performers. only normally catch up with on a few years off my age, lose had reminders. All is going Facebook or You Tube. a stone or two and learn the swimmingly. But with me at It’s a grand sight, and normally basics of the Cotswold and the helm, I don’t expect it the sun sparkles on the sea A couple of sides really caught North West traditions, it might to last. There have already producing a splendid backdrop. my fancy. Sheffield City Morris just be worth moving back up been casualties and there are But this year it was raining. was one. north! bound to be more. So if you It didn’t seem to dampen the fancy a weekend of action in spirits though and sodden as Why was I so taken? I love their We were stunned by Cornwall and would like to Photograohs by Joachim Dreimann they were, most sides braved it attitude. the magnificence of the put your name in the hat, do and did the rain dance without Lincolnshire wolds, amazed get in touch. Contact details a murmur of complaint. I am Their kit is simple; different, at the number of fish and below. not sure I would have been but in keeping with the so hardy. Many wore the tradition. While dancing well Journalist, editor, ukulele player, and singer, Paul White has been clear plastic capes to keep and giving due attention to the dancing the morris since the year 2000. He is a founding member of instruments and kit dry, but basics (simple things like lines, both Wreckers and Cat's Eye in Cornwall, helped form Couptrain Morris most were happy to take what knowing the steps etc.), they (France) and Turncoat, and has also danced with Lodestone. Paul can nature threw at them and carry also have a sense of fun and occasionally be found in Europe introducing fellow campers to the Silkstone Greens and members of the Silkstone Greens dancing in the Deutsche Dom on regardless. really know how to entertain. joys of morris, using baguettes, umbrellas, or tent poles for sticks. Berliner Volkstanzkreis am Gendarmen Markt contact: [email protected] twitter: @morrisbells or Facebook

30 31 Something you would like to see? Write to: [email protected] with your ideas and suggestions Morris goods and Morris Federation merchandise

PUBLICATIONS BELLS Cotswold Glossary: An invaluable reference book including definitions Please state brass or nickel plated when ordering bells. of steps and figures found in two or more traditions; a cross-reference Sizes are approximate, as supplied by the manufacturer, and are to all Cotswold traditions and types; terms used by different authors measured as the diameter from the outside of the rim, across the slot. for the same movements; Morris musicianship and much more. £6.00 Price per bell: The history of the tradition, copies of original notation Adderbury: Members Non-members from the Blunt manuscript and modern notation with Postage and packing: 3/4” £0.35 £0.60 easy-to-follow diagrams for 13 stick and 13 hanky dances. Up to 100 bells any size £4.35 Includes photographs and music. £7.90 7/8” £0.50 £0.70 Up to 200 bells any size except 11/4” £4.35 1” £0.55 £0.80 North West Morris: Notations, illustrated with figures and diagrams Up to 200 bells 11/4” £8.70 11/8” £0.60 £0.90 for ten of the best North West Morris dances. £6.50 Over 200 bells please contact the Treasurer 11/4” £0.75 £1.00 Wheatley: A very pleasing tradition to dance and yet one of the most straightforward. This book was produced from a complete review of Diameter of bells: source material and includes current practice and innovation. £5.60 (actual size)

Hinton: Traditional and creative Morris.£6.10 3/4” 7/8”

Abram Circle: Provides background, complete notation, pictures and music for the Abram Circle dance. The dance originates from the North West but has a different structure to most North West dances. £5.60

Molly: Dancing into the Twenty First Century. £5.50 1” 11/8” 11/4” BOOKLETS A series of A5 booklets with between 8 and 20 pages Warm-up exercises: Clear diagrams and careful explanation of exercises designed to prepare dancers and reduce the risk of injury. £1.80 MORRIS FEDERATION MERCHANDISE Stickers: Raglan Bantamcocks Morris: characteristics of the tradition, 4” diameter bearing the Morris Federation name and logo – self- notation and some music. £3.20 adhesive for music cases, files, etc.£0.90 Twenty Years On, 1975-1996. £1.20 Leather Badges: Women and the North West . £1.20 2” in diameter bearing the Morris Federation name and logo. Available in gold on black background, or coloured on natural Beginners and Basics: Roy Dommett’s ideas on the basics of background – please specify. £1.50 Cotswold. Essential reading for leaders and foremen.£1.50 Metal badges: Border Morris: a brief outline. £1.20 1” in diameter, brassed, bearing the Morris Federation name and logo. A Few Facts About the Morris. £1.30 Gold on burgundy background. £2.50

Calico bags: CDs Natural calico shopping bag, with gusset, displaying the Morris Federation logo on one side and the names of traditional forms of “And the ladies go dancing...” Double CD of various artists, dance on the other. £4.00 celebrating 40 years of the Morris Federation.£11.00 Items with 40th anniversary logo: “The Adderbury Morris Men sing and play the music of the T-shirts, poloshirts, sweatshirts, fleeces and jackets available in lots of Adderbury tradition”. £11.00 styles and sizes. Other items such as hats or bags can be embroidered Special offer! Adderbury Morris Men CD plus a book on the to order. Available directly on-line from: Adderbury tradition.£15.00 www.snappycrab.co.uk/products/107/morris-federation-40th

All prices are correct at time of printing and include p&p (UK only). Prices only apply to Morris Federation members.

Please contact the Morris Federation Treasurer for a form: Jenny Everett, Willow Cottage, 20 High Street, Sutton on Trent, Newark, Notts, NG23 6QA

Call: 01636 821672, email: [email protected]

or download a form from: www.morrisfed.org.uk/docs/shopuk.html July 2017