October 2008 No 57 Paul Reece at Dartington Final day as Squire of The Morris Ring

D a l e 3

Morris Ring Meeting Thaxted page 8 Morris Ring Meeting Whitchurch page 10 Dancing In Cornwall page 11 Obituary: Michael McNamara page 5 Editorial page 7

Winster Catenary Celebrations Paul Reece's `dancing-outVig: 'Bold Nelson's Praise' Ilmington, with musician Dave page 4 Brewster. This was preceded by an explanation of the news of Nelson's great victory and death being intercepted by the Cornish fishing fleet and announced at Madron Church Thaxted Bus Pass Tour above Penzance before it arrived at Falmouth and travelled overland through Devon to page 14 London in 1805. Photos: Marion Reece

Bampton page 3

Hartley Ale page 12

From Bag of Red Stags: Contact for Celebrations & J. Gendall (Mrs): Dancing in Cornwall page 6

The Outgoing Squire's Report Out with the old ...... While the nation debates how and benefits. that weekend and I believe that to celebrate Britishness and a We have we are all considerably new British Bank Holiday and literally and stronger because of it. The Lord Coe speculates on the metaphorically Mersey Morris Ring Meeting form that the opening ceremony come through was a perfect balance of the of the 2012 London Olympics Storms and metropolitan delights of should take following the floods to arrive. Liverpool City of Culture with success of Beijing, the answer We cannot turn the rural delights of the Wirral of course is the same, '5000 back now but and the banks of the Dee at Morris Dancers'. must continue to Parkgate. The 75th weekend of push forward to dance, which was the Thaxted Lord Coe's remark says it all. achieve for all Morris Ring Meeting, which The positive take up of the of our collective starred Monkseaton, Morris with the media that endeavours a Saddleworth and Helmond runs and runs has been truly stronger and more surpassed even the previous astounding. Morris dancing is secure future. year's perfection by being pure so established in the national magic from start to finish, the consciousness that it is now My two years as best for some 20 years practically synonymous with The Squire at Dartington Squire have given according to some, again under Photo: Marion Reece me the opportunity clear air traffic free skies. sport and of course the happen and this is what we Olympics. Every effort should still need to do to make our to promote youth and the The jigs instructional at Sutton be made to build on this wave future certain by 2012. future of the Morris and of support and enthusiasm. We attempt to influence the way Bonington, hosted now for ten must, while we have a For any Olympic performance that the Morris is received, years by Dolphin, another side favourable climate, keep up and even more importantly for particularly through the media. celebrating their 40th year, has the momentum, be clear as to our own long term future, we Several sides such as Jockey gone from strength to strength, what we need to achieve and need to: and Chalice have successfully there being successfully trialed refuse to be side tracked. embraced this approach, the this year two parallel sessions 1. Train up new crack, former with 'Team Spirit' for for beginners and advanced. A In struggling to find solutions regionally based, young teams BBC Radio 4 and the Trinny must, that at least one dancer and a celebratory expression to perform, demonstrate, recruit and Susannah series 'The Great from each side but better would for the people, their traditional and deliver with energy and British Body' for ITV, and of be two, should contact Geoff games have always provided panache at important events course the JMO Big Jerram to sign up for the next that focus for fun and regionally and nationally. Birmingham Caper which they session in the new year. In the competition. The Halgavor or hosted. spirit of success and service Cornish Games near Bodmin, 2. Continue to develop Dolphin were presented with the annual Dover Games or our national and international This JMO showcase event the commemorative Jig Tyg for 'Cotswold Olympics' as image through a proper PR attracted 555 members of the their quiet and tireless service originally styled in 1612, the forum and website. Morris, including youth laden to the Morris Ring for hosting annual Wenlock Olympic sides from Bampton, Bristol, this event. Games from 1850, on which 3. Have an educational Moulton, Chipping Campden the modem French revival programme that puts traditional and especially the Crestwood Finally the amount of work that Olympic Games are based, are dance back into schools so that School from Dudley and I have been able to get through testimony to this long pedigree we can recover from the lost Dartington, where the boys on behalf of the Morris Ring of the people's games out of generation that have not had side stole the show, as they did could only happen through which our sports and pastimes that initial grounding in their at my dancing out at this team work and the unstinting were born. Each region has its cultural heritage. National summer's last Morris Ring support of the other officers to particular culture, forms of school competitions would Meeting at Totnes, which bring in overdue reforms to expression, games and significantly enhance this celebrated Dartington's 40th make this organisation more festivals that can be focused process as would the year. responsive and fit for purpose into a celebration of the spirit development of regional for the future. I will continue to of who we are. recruitment cluster groups to Other Morris Ring Meetings work for the wider promotion promote and teach the Morris. which stood out include of the Morris. With the nation We have come a long way in Stafford. They showed the true behind us we should once more two years, we can stare the In all these endeavours, as with 'unsinkable spirit of the Morris, be a cultural force to be future in the face and with our insurance, it must be the the Morris Ring and Captain reckoned with. confidence, purpose and Joint Morris Organisations Webb shining through at its Paul Reece imagination say that this is the (JMO) working together to best, despite all that was Chairman the Morris Ring way we should go, this is what achieve these common goals thrown at them. We all Advisory Council and Immediate Past Squire of the Morris Ring we have got in place to make it succeeded triumphantly over 2 Bampton 2008.. ...continued

In the last edition of The Morris Ring Circular an article attributed to Banbury Bill was published, providing an entertaining account of The Bampton Morris Men celebrating 'the true magic of Whitsun at Bampton' in 2008. At the time we published photos from the traditional event in 2007. These photos are from 2008 celebrations and are attributable to S. J. Croft (top and bottom) and the middle two photos to Mollie Care. The left middle 'Group' photo includes 'an old dancer just celebrating his 94th birthday'- Sonny Townsend.

Photos contributed by Barry Care 3 3

Winster Centenary Celebrations This is it and that is it...

by David Thompson Grass Theatre Company were ...and this is Morris dancing; the piper fell and broke his neck and said it was a chancer. You don't know and I don't know what fun we had at Brampton, with roasted pig and a cuddle duck and a idea was muted of celebrating the centenary of Sharp's visit to pudding in a lantern. the village in some way. Over As part of a recruiting drive the intervening years plans over the last eight years men This rigmarole is sung before were gradually developed to Winster dance to the well re-enact the visit of 100 years know tune that is used for the ago and to involve the other procession at many Morris traditional teams that Sharp Ring Meeting. Cecil Sharp saw dance whose dances wrote in his Folk Dance Tunes, he published in the Morris "Extremely pretty and Books. picturesque to see handkerchiefs (32) waving in The idea was that Sharp's visit the air at the end of every 4 was to be re-enacted from the bars." He was also very taken details that had been discovered with the extra characters: the by Ian Russell. It was that he king, queen, witch and fool. arrived from London by train at Darley Dale Station and was Sharp went to Winster, the then taken by have been into three local pony and trap to primary schools to teach the meet Winster dances with the aid of a teaching Lead miners coming off shift at Mill Close Mine, at Stanton Lees. From there he was taken to Winster Primary School to hear The children sing and play their games. Later he visited The cheese factory for some stilton cheese, Derbyshire is lead-mining town in the one of three counties that are Derbyshire Peak District, on allowed to make this type of pack. With the support two occasions in 1908, the first cheese. In the evening he of the three local primary time to men's practice on attended the morris dancer's schools, South Darley, Winster Thursday 25th June and Wakes practice to collect the and Elton this was to form the Saturday which in that year 5 dances: processional, morris basis of a bid to the National was the 4th July, the traditional dance, reel, blue-eyed stranger, Lottery Heritage Fund and time for the appearance of the and gallope. The men were other grant-making bodies. dancers. happy to give him the dances A local theatre company of but were more circumspect professional actors, Cotton During millennium year the about the tunes. 4 4 to incorporate a recreation of the visit with actors playing the part of Cecil Sharp and later to perform a play about the life of Cecil Sharp and his collecting, at the same time as the children presented their work to the village on Friday evening 13th June 2008.

Saturday 14th June was to be a celebration of morris dancing; we invited Abingdon, Bampton, Eynesham, Headington as their dances had been published along with Winster in Morris Book 1-3. Thaxted were also asked because they are the oldest revival side and could dance the other dances publish by Sharp in the Morris books. We set off on two coach tours: one going north to Youlgreave, Bakewell, Great Longstone, Monsal Head, and Tideswell. The other went to Wirksworth, Cromford, Matlock Bath, Winster and Hartington.

The high point of the day was the procession down Main Street and a station was made opposite Woolley's Yard and each of the sides danced. This was the largest collection of traditional morris sides in one place since the time of the Dancing England events, possibly ever! Winster during that hour when the street was closed was truly 'a desperate morris place'.

5 Michael McNamara B.Sc.(Hons) C. Eng., MBE 1926-2008 by Stephen Matcham He was also instrumental in unifying the appearance of the It may be truly said of 'Mac' Martlet's bell pads by the that he led a very full life and adoption of a standard array that he brought much of ribbons (produced with enthusiasm to his many varied the assistance of Doreen). interests. Born and brought up Mac was still dancing into his in Exeter, in his youth he seventies, only latterly opting developed three enduring to play concertina in the passions: railways (especially Martlet Band. Busy to the end, the GWR), scouting and folk his attendance at club meetings dance, the last of which was had become only slightly less suggested to him in his teens frequent in recent years, as he as a means of meeting girls gave more time to duties as a and by which means he met his grandparent. wife Doreen. The funeral was held on the On completing his sixth-form 8th July at St Andrew's Parish studies in 1945 he joined the Church at West Tarring, where Royal Engineers as an Officer he was an active member of Cadet, and after training in the congregation. At Doreen's Railway Operations at request, following the service Longmoor, was posted to the Martlets and members Germany, where he joined the of Winchester Morris Men effort to recreate a functioning performed 'The Valentine' transport network at the end of and 'Bonny Green Garters' at hostilities. Mac's role there Michael McNamara the church gate. Afterwards Photo: Courtesy Martlet Morris and Sword Men was to prove far from routine, the mourners gathered for a for in 1948-49 he was put in management. In 1985, shortly Bagman he worked behind reception in the grounds of charge of running freight before his retirement, he was the scenes to foster good High Salvington Windmill, a trains into Berlin, in defiance awarded the MBE in relations with neighbouring place close to his heart where of the Soviet blockade. recognition of his part in the Morris Federation Club; he had served as treasurer to development of radio Sompting Village. This was On demobilisation, Mac took the mill's managing trust. communications in the water at a time when the traditional up a place at Portsmouth Stephen Matcham is Bagman, industry. As a Sussex resident, view of women's Morris was Technical College to study Martlet Sword & Morris Men he became a stalwart member dominant in the Martlet Club. Civil Engineering at degree of the Martlet Sword and He maintained, with some level. Following graduation Morris Men, holding office as justification, that Sompting's Mac began his career in the Bagman from 1986-1988 and women's side were better Mac was a staunch supporter of water industry, and in 1953 again from 1999 to 2001. As dancers than their men. the Winchester Morris Men and became a founder member of despite moving to Sussex was a Winchester Morris Men, the regular attender at WMM Feasts, club with which he was twice Morris Ring Meetings and many elected to the office of Squire, other events. He also had an first in 1960 and again in 1964, amazing memory. When WMM (the year in which Winchester scrapbooks went 'walkabout', hosted the 96th Meeting of the Mac wrote about his early days in Morris Ring). His professional Winchester and, along with Lionel Bacon and 8 others, was experience was to have benefits indeed a Founder Member of the to the Winchester club in the Winchester Morris Men. Thanks planning of tours, through a to Mac, we have some written detailed knowledge of the evidence of the Club's early topography of Hampshire, years. based on the location of bore- The picture (left) sees Mac holes, water treatment plants presented with the only Founder's and pumping stations! Medal by the then Squire of With the reorganisation of the Winchester Morris Men, Geoff Jerram, at the Club's 50th water industry in the 1970s Anniversary in 2003. Our Mac was relocated to Worthing, thoughts are with Mac's family home to the headquarters of as we remember a Gentleman and Southern Water, where he Morris Dancer. Ed. took up a position in senior

6 The Morris Ring Circular October 2008 Issue No 57

Letters To The Editor From Christina of May 2009. anecdotes, etc., we rather rudely, that such Red Stags We would like to would be grateful for dancing had no place invite as many past copies of these for the here, it was "English Harry, members as possible. archive. not Cornish." Please, could you If you are, know of, or Many thanks, Having done the include that following suspect anyone else of Christina research, I thought in the Morris Ring being a previous Bag for Red Stags you might like a copy. Circular, where it member or associate Morris I hope it might be of might reach the eyes of the side and are interest. of past members? interested, please, From Mrs J. Gendall Yours sincerely Red Stags Morris contact me at mail to: of Liskeard, Cornwall J. Gendall (Mrs) still dancing after all christina@ Dear Sir (Ed. I happily publish your these years - will be redstagsmorris.org I prepared the research on page 10.) celebrating our 40th Also, if you have any enclosed for a Morris anniversary on Sat. photos, newspaper dancer in Cornwall 23rd and Sun. 24th clippings, amusing who had been told. And this is it and that's about it! At the Morris Ring the hell he should be matter of 2 minutes I himself from it. Brian Meeting in doing, the last year am landing Brian in Tasker will suddenly Dartington in early thinking he has come the poo! And he has think, what the bloody September, those to grips with it and 2 years to extricate hell have I done!' present witnessed the now, just at the time change-over of when he has finally www.nw-clogs.co.uk Squires from Paul got to grips with what Phil Howard - Clogs and Leatherwork Reece to Brian he should be doing,

Tasker. Geoff Jerram he's got to hand over Clog maker since 1991 was asked to be a the job to another. All clogs made entirely on the premises using only own soles neutral prior to the `We are coming to and tops formal hand over of the end of Paul 's Clogs made to order also re-wooding and resoling the Squire's Squireship. It is Rubber soles and heels (shods) supplied paraphernalia. the highlight of Geoff Jerram his life and, please Now available for festivals and workshops

attempted to sum understand that he Contact: 0161 494 0224 or jp.howard04.ntlworld.com up the emotions of will feel emotional. the two, prior to If he doesn't, we'll Paul's and Brian's bloody well make speeches: sure he does. `Paul has spent the `..and on the first year (as Squire) incoming, Squire, trying to find out what Brian Tasker in a 7 The Morris Ring Circular Editorial

Editor: Harry Stevenson 59 Oliver's Battery Road North Winchester Hampshire S022 4JB 01962 855911 [email protected]

As Paul Reece's momentum, be clear determination. and volume helps too. Squireship ends and as to what we need to However, you are I am grateful to all Brian Tasker's begins achieve and refuse to fortunate that The contributors and it is perhaps a time be side tracked.' Chairman of the welcome new ones. not only of reflection, Paul has also put much Advisory Council reviewing Paul's effort into supporting, is Paul Reece. Not time as Squire, but promoting and only has he already A particular and also one of looking encouraging young committed himself especial thanks must forward and building teams. His emphasis to continuing to fight go to Hilary Blanford, on some of Paul's on working together for these initiatives, not just for this issue successes. Without with the Joint Morris but you also have a but for many issues doubt there have Organisations in these very able and wise where without her been considerable initiatives is to be counsellor to help you excellent photos `media, successes and applauded. through the maze of and meticulous indeed Paul himself Brian, you have a your Squireship. His descriptions, this writes on page two hard act to follow. advice and counsel Circular would have `Every effort should Your tasks (sic) are are free. Use it. I have been bereft of much be made to build on to build on Paul's and will continue to needed copy. (see this wave of support determined efforts- do so. below) and enthusiasm. they will not happen We must while we without your own It is important that Your photos are have a favourable brand of leadership, I receive as varied much appreciated. climate, keep up the enthusiasm and content as possible

Monkseaton, left, Cambridge above and White Rose right, at the Morris Ring Meeting in Thaxted, 2008

Photos: Hilary Blanford 8 7 The Morris Ring Meeting Thaxted 2008

Monkseaton above and below. Top right and bottom left, Cambridge Morris Men and bottom right, White Rose, whose Report appears on adjacent page. All Photos: Hilary Blanford

10 The Morris Ring Meeting Thaxted 2008

by Richard Fowler All of a sudden it's our turn to dance in front of the (to A telephone call from Will (our us) enormous crowd by the foreman, the best dancer and a Guildhall. Ned has chosen formidable musician). "Hey, another Bampton-style dance, Richard, bad news: me back's Go Shake Yourself (cheekily gone at practice. I'm knackered formulated by our previous for Thaxted. And Robert's got foreman, Robin), which a terrible chest, so he's not involves the dancers beginning going, and Simon's also cried from the front in pairs ("don't off. Doug can go though, but start!" we threaten the middle he will need picking up at and back pairs) and also lively, Doncaster station". The best linked-arm swinging. The laid plans... a healthy ten last young boys risk the wrath of week becomes a bare seven our Squire by running in and the day before we are due to flinging themselves around travel down to Essex. Nothing each other, much to the delight new there, then. White Rose at the Bluebell Inn, Hempstead of the crowd. It's gone in a We manage to fit everyone, kit Photo: Terry Thompson flash and we wait around for and tents into two cars. I have twilight and the arrival of Bush. There's Ned and me at morris men. two of the children, 13-year- our near-neighbours, the lads the front, Alex and another The rest of the cloudless — old Alex (our very own Billy from Saddleworth, to clog 13year-old, Joseph (Ned's son and very hot - day is a blur of Elliott, a ballet dancer brought impressively into the arena and and grandson of Cliff, who dancing, drinking beer and reluctantly to practice a year set the scene for the wonderful founded the side in 1953), in trooping on and off coaches at ago by his 'Grange', Angela, Abbot's Bromley Horn Dance. the middle and Liam (Joe's picturesque villages (",,,and to learn traditional morris and Our young pair dive to the cousin) and Doug (who was this is where they filmed who has stayed ever since) and front of the crowd to get a this year's Whittlesea Straw Lovejoy". Lovely). After very our legendary squeeze-box good view of something they Bear) at the back. As usual, welcome tea and cakes back at player, Waggy, who's late 50s might never forget. we remind Waggy of the tune the school we wander into the going on 13. Cockles with `moppies' from by whistling it and off we village for a 'wet' and a game After a remarkably stress- the Aynsley Harriet look-alike go... No problems and a good of pool at the Rose and Crown and flatulence-free journey seafood vendor in the car park response from a potentially before heading up the main down, we gather on a sunny of The Star is followed by very critical audience of street to join the procession. Friday evening at the school even more beer, a bit of football pitch campsite in the White Rose dancing Step & Fetch Her from Bampton-in-the- dancing and some music. A lovely village of Thaxted. Me Bush danced at the Bluebell Inn, Hempstead cracking day. and Waggy were here with Photo: 011ie King of Cambridge MM Sunday is a bit cloudy. Oakworth in 1990 and 1987 Nevertheless, we (some of us) and Ned with the last White file into church and purge our Rose visit in '87; the others are souls followed by a bit more Ring Meeting virgins. dancing outside (we choose There's a good 'buzz' about the Oddington Skirmish for this place and the weather looks set one, which Ned manages to get fair for Saturday's tours so it's through on his by-now dodgy down to business: a portion of knee). It's fond farewells fish and chips and a few pints — including Jason, bagman at The Star to get everyone in of Westminster via Adelaide the mood for the weekend and who once danced with us at a reasonable night's kip under Moulton — and back on the canvas (or nylon). road to Yorkshire. We find ourselves looking for Thaxted has been one of the the Tour A coach after highlights of our year and long breakfast on Saturday, teamed may it thrive. I reckon we will with Cambridge, Monkseaton be back before too long (and and London Pride. First stop is not another gap 20 years!) The Bluebell at Hempstead and we line up for our first dance, Richard Fowler, Bagman The Quaker, danced in our 2001-2008, White Rose style of Bampton-in-the- Morris Men 11 314th Meeting of The Morris Ring Whitchurch 4th-6th July 2008

Right, Wnchester men at White Swan, Whitchurch: Photo: 'Paul' from the White Top l-to-r Durham Rams, Swan & the Hosts in Aylesbury; second row Winchester Morris Men and Etcetera; 3rd row: Winchester, Leeds, Martin Kennard of Winchester & inset, Whitchurch; bottom row: Durham Rams and Max Haynes of Stafford photos: Harry Stevenson

Dancing in Cornwall

by Mrs J Gendall know the precise date, but we (Ref. CRO PD/322/2). The the role usually adopted by can tell from the records when record is of their payment. one of these. Also listed with If you are a Morris Dancer it was already considered an The Green Book of St Columb several Morris accounts are six you will already know some of established dance form. The shows clearly that this village yards of white woollen cloth, the following information earliest English record is dated had its own troupe of dancers and although it is unclear how this but you may wish to pass this 1448. In Cornwall it is first there are records of the costs is used. on to others who are unaware recorded in 1466 as part of the of Morris bells and costumes Bishop John Woolton's of certain facts. Arundell household accounts over a number of years. In Visitation Articles, 1579, In the medieval period (ref R.I.C. Courtney Library 1584-5 the church possessed mentions Morice dancers Morris dancing was also HK/17/1, f 3v). There are five coats for Morris dancers, in a most disparaging way, called Moresco dancing with three references to Moruske along with twenty-four which seems odd since Parish variations of this spelling. It dancers, one entry giving the dancing bells and a streamer churches are recorded as matters not what it was called, cost of four dozen bells, that of red moccado and locram. having paid them! both words mean the same being three shillings. Moccado is a corruption of All these records show that thing. Morris (and its variant 1505-6 brought the Italian word "mocaiardo" Morris dancing has a long spellings Morisch, Moryssh dancers from St Erne, Boscastle meaning mohair, and the history in Cornwall. What etc) are Saxon and Flemish and Minster to Bodmin, (CRO material was much used to we do not know is the style of equivalents of the Mediaeval B/Bod/314/3/22). Visiting clothing in the 16th and 17th Morris danced, whether Latin Moresca meaning dancers, we may expect centuries. Locram or Lockram it followed the Cotswold, Moorish in style or a Morrish them to be Morris, visited St was a linen based fabric. The Border or any other tradition. dance. Other Romance (that Breock in the latter half of the streamer is mentioned several There are hints that it may is Latin based) languages use sixteenth century and records times in connection with the have been similar to Border. forms of this such as Morisco of their payment exists in the Morris dancers, and must These dancers are known for (Spanish =Moor, Moorish), Churchwarden's Accounts. have played some role in the their ragged coats and we Moresque (French =Moor, There were dancers from dance. In 1587 there is another do have specific records of Moorish in style) In the Ludgvan in 1565-6, from mention of five Morrisshe Morris coats as opposed to Cornish documents we find Grampound in 1567-8 and coats, and another was added in the crossed baldrics found in Moruske, Morrisshe, Morice from St Eval and Phillack in 1594. By 1596-7 we know the Cotswold tradition. The and Morishe. 1574-5. St Columb had seven costumes use of a moccado streamer It is easy for Kernowphiles Morishe dancers are presumably including the and a friar may indicate that to say Morris in an English specifically named in 1595 in bells. With the records of the we had a distinct style of our tradition that has no place in Camborne's St Meriadocus clothing of the Morris men are own, but if so we do not have Cornwall, but that is simply not and Martin Churchwarden's mentions of a "friar's coat". the necessary details for an true. Morris dancing came into Accounts where they are Since there is no mention of a accurate reconstruction. Cornwall at the same time that it identified as visiting troupes fool, `oss or Betty, it would (see letters, page 6) came to England. We cannot from St Leven and Gunwalloe. appear that a mock friar played

Morris Dancers in Cornwall: current Century, Trigg Morris Men dancing at Morgon Porth, during the summer holidays of 2005

11 Hartley Ale 2008 Photo Album

Top left: Victory dancing Glorishears, Oddington

Above, Kennet dancing The Rose, Fieldtown

Left, St Albans dancing Jockey to the Fair, Ascot under Wychwood

Below left, Broadwood dancing Nutting Girl, Ducklington

All photos on this page at Ightham Mote except below right: St Albans dancing Rodney, Headington at The Square, Wrotham

All Photos on this page Hilary Blanford

1212 More Hartley Ale 2008 Photos

Group Picture at Goatcher's Brewery, copyright Kent Messenger. Right, a massed Balance the Straw at Ightham Mote. Below, Broadwood dancing a Border dance, Not for Joe also at Ightham Mote

Broadwood at Wrotham, Right. Below left, John Whelan from Bourne River and below right Bonny Green Garters at The Square, Wrotham All photos, except where stated, Hilary Blanford

13

THAXTED MORRIS MEN 2008 BUS PASS TOUR

by Geoff Walker Come Wednesday One afternoon after our morning, we all duly usual Bank Holiday dance assembled at 9.30am. in Thaxted, Thaxted [Well, most of us!] We Morris Men were winding were delighted to see that down in the Swan when Des Herring of East the conversation turned to Suffolk was one of the the use of the new bus guests, so we had an extra passes. Who used them, dancer. Dave Brewster, where they were used and who is a leading light in how useful they were for the Chameleonic Morris Park & Ride schemes. We Men and a Thaxted came to the realisation musician, had a surprise in that many of our members store for us. He produced a were the proud owners of set of specially prepared these passes. it would have to be after flagged down anywhere baldrics for us to wear on Roy Page, our bagman, 9.30am, when the passes within reason. Roy found the day. The central carried out a quick were valid and not on a three pubs near existing rosette included a motif assessment of the Sunday as local buses do bus stops and a fourth, of a vintage single decker, membership and found not run on that day. We which had unfortunately in red and white livery, that we easily had enough chose a Wednesday, closed. These seemed with an appropriate local `bus pass' members which unfortunately very workable and the number plate. When to form a dancing and excluded a few members, time table allowed us to these baldrics had been playing side. At this as they could not get time return to Thaxted in put on, each member point he suggested a Bus off work. the afternoon to dance was presented with pass Tour and this was Once the bagman knew he outside the Guildhall, an appropriate service greeted favourably by had a full side, he proposed have tea, dance outside badge, which included all present. Within days a tour and checked out the Church and then retire the FF code to signify our we received an e-mail, likely dancing spots. We to the Swan. bus region, the function or letter for those without knew that the drivers Everything was in place of the person i.e. dancer, the wherewithal, asking were fairly flexible on and we had twenty musician or squire and a who would be interested our chosen route as participants with dancer, number which signified in a local tour using the they are used to being musicians and guests. the qualification and Village Link service. registration of the person. The response was very Curiously, in each case, positive and it was thrown the number corresponded open to family and to the date of birth of younger members. Many the participant! When we of the guests were wives, were all kitted out, we who also qualify for bus were presented with passes, although you yet another badge. A would not have thought commemorative badge they should, as they all or every person on the look much younger than tour. Dave, his brother the men! The spirit of the Peter and Simon Ritchie venture was that we were had been very busy, free to dance wherever we preparing for this day. I wanted to. The also understand that a practicalities were that member of Blackmore

14

The programme for the day was:

09.30am Meet at Post Office, depart at 9.59am. 10.46am Hatfield Heath. Dance at The Stag. Depart at 11.30am. 11.37am Hatfield Broad Oak. Dance at the Cock Inn followed by lunch. Depart at 1.37pm. 2.00pm Mole Hill Green. Dance at the Three Horseshoes. Depart at 3.00pm. 3.17pm Thaxted Guildhall. Dance. 3.45pm Tea 4.45pm Dance in the churchyard. Retire to the Swan Depart Morris was also involved We reached The Stag and just about on time and as some of the group in the capacity of we were greeted by one introduced ourselves to have mobility problems consultant regarding the of our retired musicians, the landlord of the Cock and no, I do not mean the bus details. Ed Goatcher, who lives Inn, negotiated the menu dancers! The bus was When everybody was not far from Hatfield for lunches and agreed on already 10 minutes late fully kilted and ready for heath. The company a suitable time to eat. We when with much relief the first dance of the day, immediately sprang into then danced outside and we saw it rounding the local press appeared, action and ordered drinks. had quite a reasonable the corner. There was so we were involved in We then danced outside audience for Wednesday much waving of arms the usual poses at the bus the pub, avoiding contact lunchtime. Some of and the bus pulled up. stop with passes held with the truck delivering the audience were there As we were boarding and aloft. dairy produce to the shop for lunch, others came talking about going to After this, we really did next door. After several because they had seen Mole Hill Green, the get to do our dance at dances we made our way the poster and some driver informed us that the bus stop and shortly to the bus stop for the were passers-by. A very he was going to Blocks afterwards the Village second leg of the journey. pleasant stop. Corner. We got off the Link No.5 bus arrived. We boarded the bus from At the appointed time, we 347 and quietly waited We boarded the bus along Bishops Stortford, to be queued on the pavement for the right bus. This with a few members of the greeted by the same to hail the bus, as this duly arrived, was flagged public who had joined the down and even had a bus earlier in the route. different driver. We did Fortunately there was have two of the same standing room so we all passengers, returning managed to fit on the bus. from Bishop's Stortford We were less than a mile who joined in again with from Thaxted when our Simon Ritchie's medley shy, retiring musician, of songs relevant to Simon Ritchie, started transport. The highlight playing. The members of for me was his rendition the public soon got used of 'We are the Bus Fare to the fact that they had Dodgers'. inadvertently joined a We picked up a few more Morris Tour and even passengers at Stansted began to enjoy it. Most of Airport and got off the bus them got off at Stansted at Mole Hill Green. Once Airport and we continued the group had stocked up our journey, picking up driver, who was now quite was not a regular stop. with refreshment and other bemused passengers used to us. We arrived We wanted to avoid the found suitable seating who soon warmed to the at Hatfield Broad Oak walk to the proper stop for those not performing, occasion. we realised that again continued overleaf 17

Thaxted's 'Mature' Tour continued... the Guildhall, through the churchyard and danced outside the church before retiring to the Swan, to round off the day. This we did with eating dinner and telling tales of the day and recalling other memories. This brought us right back to where the whole thing began some months earlier. During that evening we discussed whether we could organise our annual Ring Meeting on bus we had an audience, the 'Gay Gordons', Mr & When we had finished passes to make it cheaper several of whom had Mrs Joe Hobbs treated us dancing, we were invited or move it to mid-week to come specifically to see to a demonstration. We to have tea with Bobby and take advantage of OAP us. We started our dance disembarked at 3.17pm Simon Ritchie at Market lunches! Unfortunately, and became aware of a in Thaxted and performed Cross, adjacent to the it would exclude all those television camera and several dances outside the Guildhall. This was most younger members that presenter. The dances Guildhall, where again welcome, very pleasant we desperately need and were filmed and there we had an audience and most appropriate as would like to encourage. was much talking from of friends and tourists. this had previously been Perhaps we will restrict the presenter during our One of the audience was the home of the Hunter our activities to the 60-81 set. When I asked the Mike Goatcher, son of Ed family, which included group, not to be confused landlord who was who joined us at Hatfield Alec, the first Squire of the with the 18-30 group. filming, he explained that Heath. Mike cannot Morris Ring. This was It is interesting how it was Anglia News who dance at the moment but another example of an odd comment in a was covering the possible it was a nice example of continuity that day. pub can lead to such an BAA sell-off of Stansted the continuity in the side Refreshed by the tea and enjoyable day out. We Airport. The crew were and the tour itself. cakes, we processed from left the Swan at about at the pub and he had told 10.30pm. having danced, them about our visit, so played and enjoyed the they left part of the crew good company. I must to film the dancing. We thank all those that put in were eventually used as a such effort to make it backdrop to some of the such a wonderful day but presentation on the especially Roy Page for evening news. the initial inspiration. At 3pm. The bus arrived and we boarded the bus, Photos by Dave Brewster to be greeted by some of of Thaxted Morris Men the passengers who had and Chameleonic Morris left Thaxted with Men us, earlier in the day. By this time, everyone was in good humour, so there was more singing and playing. When one of the tunes was recognised as 16