www.morrisfed.org.uk

fedThe quarterly newsletterextr of The Morris Federationa Summer 2019

Inside this issue... Feminism in Morris Laura Bailey sets out to explain why folk is most definitely a feminist issue New teams launch in the north-east Ripon Spur Rapper and Black Gate Morris enjoy their first season of dance Capturing the dance Top photography tips from Alan Courtney www.morrisfed.org.uk www.morrisfed.org.uk fed www.morrisfed.org.uk fed extraSummer 2019 extraSummer 2019 fedextra inside Summer 2019 this issue Summer 2019

Capturing the Dance Feminism 14 in Morris 06

Black Gate Hook Eagle What Ripon Spur Dancing Morris Men the Folk? Rapper 08 10 Morris 12 16 20 Welcome to the Summer Black Gate Morris: new The Morris Ring ARM: Cover Stars issue & how to contact north-east Cotswold team Fee Lock reports on the 04your committee 12steps out for its first season 22meeting's proceedings 24 26 Rosie Mott of Belles of London City, Lyme Day of Dance 2019 President's prologue: Capturing the dance: Phoenix Morris: supporting Photograph: Alan Courtney parades, risk assessments photography tips from Dorset their local community Do you have a great action 05and website updates 14Morri'arty (Alan Courtney) 24through dance picture of your team that could feature on the cover Feminism in Morris: Laura Hook Eagle Morris Men: Sarum Morris: bringing joy of FedExtra? Bailey sets out to explain a year of dance from and dance to Salisbury with Send a high quality image suitable why folk is a feminist issue wassails to watercress a special day of dance 06 16 25 to print in A4 portrait format, some background info about Ripon Spur Rapper News roundup Holly Copse John Gasson Jig Comp : the new  : : your team, details of where and Molly nd rapper team heads out for turns 10, Mayday winners of the 32 annual when the image was taken, and 08its first season of dance 18mayhem and obituaries 26 Sidmouth event in photos the photographer's name to: [email protected] Dancing England 2019: the What the Folk?: a personal Paul White's Diary: the trials Phoenix John Gasson Jig reboot continues at the perspective comparing UK and tribulations of dancing 10Nottingham Playhouse 20and Australian morris 27in a temperate Britain Morris Comp Results www.morrisfed.org.uk 2 3 fed www.morrisfed.org.uk fed www.morrisfed.org.uk extraSummer 2019 extraSummer 2019 Sam Ross, Newsletter Editor • [email protected] diary dates • 64 The Batch, Farmborough, Somerset, BA2 0AJ 2019-2020 • 07849 055 339 17 November Cotswold Morris Jig Workshop (Bledington) Keinton Mandeville Village Hall, Somerton, TA11 6ES [email protected]

6-8 March IVFDF (Intervarsity Folk Dance Festival) Nottingham President's www.ivfdf2020.org.uk from the contact your 3-5 April committee prologue DERT (Dancing England editor Rapper Tournament) welcome to the summer issue of Morris FedExtra Melanie Barber, President Lincoln Hello! Firstly, huge easy for me to say. However, performance, so dance, enjoy www.dert2020.co.uk hanks to the scheme that has helped them pay • [email protected] thanks to Kinfauns for hosting we've all got stuck behind the and perform; if your dance contributors who have for the most expensive parts of • 72 Freedom Road, Walkley, our annual day of dance and team that stops to do a static style doesn't lend itself to a 18 April , S6 2XD made this a varied their new kit, including rapper AGM in Perth. It was great to figure then races to catch up, processional version (and I'm • 07812 656 036 JMO (Joint Morris edition, including swords and bells. This scheme is see so many make the journey thus interrupting the flow. thinking mainly sword here, Organisations) National Day opinion pieces about open to all members of The Morris Fee Lock, Secretary to join us and have over 40 Wouldn't it be so much easier though some teams have been of Dance in Liveepool feminism in morris, and Federation, not just new teams. teams represented at the AGM. to keep going at a steady pace, very creative) then walk smartly www.themorrisring.org how morris differs between the For an overview and link to more • [email protected] Congratulations to Pauline which is actually far more in formation, you're T • 28 Fairstone Close, Hastings, UK and Australia, as well as top details, see p9. Woods-Wilson for being voted enjoyable for onlookers as well still on show! East Sussex, TN35 5EZ Send details of events to: photography tips from one of the in as our new President; she will as participants. Static figures • 01424 436 052 [email protected] leading morris photographers As the summer draws to a close, take up post on 1 January 2020. should only be used when the Off one soap box and on to The Morris Federation is not in the south-west, and results and the dance-outs diminish over Thank you also to Linda Pound, parade has been stopped by the another! Risk Assessments! Jenny Everett, Treasurer responsible for events organised by nd from the 32 John Gasson jig the winter, it's worth reflecting Heather Leech, Sel Adamu and marshal. Teams should then be I've mentioned before that we external organisations competiton. All this and details on why we all do what we do. The • [email protected] Diane Moody for standing, ready to move on as soon as the should carry these out every of events, festivals, birthdays, and front cover of this edition sums • Willow Cottage, 20 High Street, Sutton- and in doing so raising the parade starts moving again. It's time we dance – either out on-Trent, Newark, Notts, NG23 6QA heart-felt notices about dancers it all up for me. It's an activity profile of The Morris Federation an organiser's nightmare trying or at practice. You don't need • 01636 821 672 who are sadly no longer with us, of joy and personal expression through team and social media to keep gaps between teams to to complete a template every guidelines for but will be remembered fondly. that allows us to get together Mike Everett, Archive Officer discussions. a minimum while allowing each time, but look and be aware submission of with some of the most diverse team enough space to hear of potential risks – uneven It's also worth pointing out that and open-minded people we are • [email protected] I'm afraid the rest of my their own music and keeping surfaces, damaged equipment, articles • Willow Cottage, 20 High Street, Sutton- two new and unrelated teams ever likely to meet. Regardless of prologue is a couple of gripes! the parade going! Too big a gap closeness of audience etc. on-Trent, Newark, Notts, NG23 6QA Please send all text and have started up in the past year whether you prefer tradition or • 01636 821 672 allows the potential for cars Last year there was a successful images via WeTransfer.com to in the north-east of England. the constant evolution of morris, Parades!! Here's an analogy for to slot in – dangerous! - and claim from a member of the [email protected] Both have benefitted from how we express our joy for what Jerry West, Notation Officer you...if you're at the back of a onlookers to walk across the public who was injured by a Articles should be sent as doc, being a member of The Morris we do will help to ensure that it traffic jam where the lead car road - dangerous and irritating! broken stick. On a separate • [email protected] docx, txt or odt formats. Any Federation by taking advantage of continues beyond our keeps stopping and starting, you My plea is that teams think occasion, I asked another team • 23 Avondale Road, Fleet, copy over 750 words will be our sponsorhip, grant and bursary individual contributions. tend to crawl forward without Sam Hampshire, GU51 3BH about their 'processional' dance. to stop using a broken stick trimmed. • 01252 628 190 or 07754 435 170 changing gear or making much It needs to be sustainable after it had splintered, and a progress. Well, it's the same throughout the parade – piece hit a member of our team. Accompany all articles with at least three high quality images. next issue publication date: with dance parades! I watched bearing in mind some traditional Both these incidents could Dec 19 Images must not be embedded Co-opted committee one this summer where the lead parades can be upwards of 3 have been easily avoided by in text and should be sent as team only moved on the chorus miles long! - for both dancers simply checking equipment Mike Adamson - IT Administrator separate attachments. of their dance, and several and musicians. The majority of and not using damaged sticks. advertising rates • [email protected] others did static figures. This your figures need to be moving Please, please, be aware of the Photographs and illustrations For the current rates and advert You can also download a copy is NOT a processional dance. figures, with a couple of static risks and mitigate accordingly. should be jpg, eps, tiff or pdf, sizes, please contact the editor: from the FedExtra pages on our though other file types may be Advisors OK, having been brought up in figures for when the parade Happy Dancing! [email protected] website: www.morrisfed.org.uk accepted. Sally Wearing - Health & Safety Advisor the north west, whose tradition (not the team!) pauses. Also, Make sure you have appropriate • [email protected] • 0118 946 3125 was born out of processions, it's don't forget a parade is still a is your team info up-to-date? Melanie permission to publish all words Update your team's info and contact details at any time by logging on to John Bacon - Licensing Bill Advisor and pictures. Credit will be @morrisfed @MorrisFed.org.uk given to photographers, and the membership database at: www.morrisfed.org.uk/join/existing-members • [email protected] keep it social captions printed where provided.

04 05 fed www.morrisfed.org.uk fed www.morrisfed.org.uk extraSummer 2019 extraSummer 2019

Laura Bailey and Chris Walshaw dancing and playing ‘Lumps of Plum Pudding (Redux)’ at the John Gasson Jig Competition, Sidmouth Folk Festival 2018 . Photograph by Ben Potton

way that isn’t true of many other social to watch the men, and drift off when the ‘GIRLS ALLOWED’ by David Owen Image used with permission. www.theinkcorporation.co.uk dances. This is all indicative of a general women dance, regardless of the objective openness to gender equality. But still, quality of each side. We call to the men to to appreciating different styles and not just women experience a ceilidh differently. dance higher, faster or ham it up, making it the high-leaping, unfocused enthusiasm During this summer, two men touched more of a spectacle and reinforcing to the typically associated with a male dancer. If me inappropriately and a third danced so audience (who can’t always tell the quality) we see that dancers with different qualities roughly that it hurt. We’re socialised to that the men are the ones to watch. We can be equally as good, this will translate brush these experiences off as a mistake, may admire the women’s side just as much, into gender balance with no need for or just a bit of fun, but it’s commonplace to but we need to vocalise that and whoop quotas or ‘positive discrimination’. find your arms covered in bruises the next and holler at them as well. Show the day from an over-exuberant dance partner. audience what they should be appreciating. I want to end on a positive note. On an In a basket, as a short person, I have no individual level, morris dancers and the choice but to be lifted from the floor, Follow the example of Will Pound, who folk community in general are incredibly whether I want to or not. Lots of people regularly refers to being a member of fair, kind and thoughtful. Men and women feminism in morris‘Suffrabelles’ by David Owen I recently ordered a ‘Folk is a feminist issue’ T-shirt from Dr Lucy Wright, Image used with permission like to swing as fast as possible —that’s Chinewrde (not ‘playing for’ them), and behave the same, speak to each other in an artist, researcher and morris dancer. Understandably, people have www.theinkcorporation.co.uk fine. But it’s not hard to get this right: just cites Windsor Morris as his favourite team the same way, and generally treat each asked why it’s a feminist issue. Here’s why... ask how your partner prefers to swing and to watch. This carries over into recognition other with respect. The inequality that whether they want to spin the basket fast in competitions such as the prestigious I describe above is not malicious; it’s The simplest reason is that everything is some illustrative examples of where women Most obviously, it was Laura (whatever gender you are). John Gasson Jig Competition: men only unconscious, structural bias, and once a feminist issue. Feminism means equality don’t have equal rights, representation or 2018 before the Morris Ring Bailey slightly outnumber women entrants, but we recognise it, we can address it. I for everyone, regardless of their gender. It experience and where something could be permitted women to dance. My final example concerns Cotswold male winners vastly outnumber female know we can do this. In a more inclusive doesn’t mean fewer rights or opportunities done to change that. This is a great leap forward, morris displays. We prize a ‘male’ style over winners. There have been just five female environment such as rapper, women shine for men, only that women and non-binary but we should not congratulate ourselves a ‘female’ one. At dance-outs people stop solo jig winning dancers. This comes back without compromising the male dancers. people are also afforded those rights and for having just reached Second-wave opportunities. Yes, if more women take up feminism, 30-50 years late. Second-wave those opportunities mediocre men might feminism is the admission of women to lose out to talented women, but in a truly traditionally male activities — although Traditional British Clogs equal world, isn’t that fair? If it helps, think they may still be unable to take part even of it as ‘Folk is also a feminist issue’. Note when it is permitted because of structural Phil Howard - Clogs & Leatherwork that in this article, I refer mostly to men and inequality, such as there being a lack of women, but recognise that in addition to the teams to join. This de facto inequality Full-time professional Clog Maker shared experiences of cis and trans women, also manifests itself in things like the trans and non-binary people experience uncomfortable songs and dances that are All clogs are made entirely on the premises using only my own soles additional discrimination and struggles for still performed, and in the stereotype that equality, which could fill a whole other article. persists of the beer-bellied, elderly morris (not machine made) and full-grain leather uppers man. Maybe it’s just a bit of fun — but it’s Also: re-wooding and resoling; standard and extra-hard rubber soles (shods) and heels supplied; In fact, simply asking the question causes undeniably one-directional and it prevents original unused clog irons available, including clog nails harm. If a women tells you something about more women from taking up dancing. which she should be an expert, believe Leatherwork including: badges, keyrings, ear-rings, bell pads, belts etc. her; don’t query the premise. If women (or Secondly, ceilidhs: happily, most callers My own work so other designs can be made. non-binary people, or people of colour) find no longer use ‘men’ and ‘women’. Dancers For up-to-date prices and details of events, visit: www.nw-clogs.co.uk folk (or anything else) to be discriminatory Lucy Wright who designed her t-shirts to highlight the neglect feel free to dance with same-sex partners towards them, then it is. I’d like to present of girls’ carnival morris by early morris collectors and scholars and it’s generally unremarked upon in a c 0161 494 0224 m [email protected] w www.facebook.com/philhowardclogs www.artistic-researcher.co.uk

06 07 fed www.morrisfed.org.uk extraSummer 2019

Sponsorship, Grants and Bursaries

Got an idea for a morris related project or workshop and looking for funding? Don't forget The Morris Federation has funding available through its Sponsorship, Grant and Bursary Policy.

Each application is considered on its own merits. Details and application Ripon Spur Rapper form: www.morrisfed.org.uk/resources/sponsorship-grants-and-bursaries

Ripon Spur Rapper at the White Swan, Danby Wiske Photograph by Angela Shield If you want to discuss your idea before applying then please get in touch First Dance-out Inset: Ripon Spur sash badge with any member of the committee (see contact details on p4). Ripon Spur Rapper, a new rapper team in North Yorkshire, had their first dance out in April at the White Swan in Danby Wiske. We were guests of Black Diamond Mixed Cotswold Morris of Darlington at their evening of dance, along with Brompton Scorpers Sword Dancers. Bob Clogs Barker It was a very enjoyable evening of dance, Our name was chosen because Ripon Lee pulled out the stops Clogs for step dancing, morris dancing and general wear. with a music and song at one time was an important centre for to make us a set in time. Repairs, rubbers, re-wooding and re-rubbering offered. session after. making the rowel part of a spur — it’s the What a joy it is to dance with same length Uppers and soles handmade at the workshop. Although the revolving disc bit at the heel end of excellently made swords! first time we the spur — and this is reflected by danced was the sword lock in our logo. Our A big thanks to The Morris Federation and suitably colours of red and beige were Frank Lee for the swords, and to Vince for nerve- chosen to be a match (well the tuition. racking, nearly) to the colours of the the Ripon Hornblower’s coat. We are a mixed team and practise on second The nightly Hornblowing Monday afternoons in Ripon. If you are was a tradition is said to go back to interested in joining us, do make contact. Leatherwork calmer 886, so we affair and have a while Specialising in unusual, bespoke and tooled leather items we are to go before for folk musicians, dancers and those who play early music. glad to have we can match our first public the history of that Simon Brock performance under our tradition. belt. Of course, all rapper teams collect in Clog Maker & Leatherworker pubs and so did we — 10p — thanks Stuart! We had been practising We have already had our second dance with spare swords lent to out in Northallerton, thanks again to Black us by Vince but we had Diamond for the invite and to Brompton always hoped to get our Tel: 0114 233 6146 / 07958 15 45 05 who joined in the evening. own set before dancing Plus gift ideas, festival essentials and everyday items out. We applied to The such as belts, bags, purses and pouches. We started last year, Vince Rutland kindly Morris Federation for a e: [email protected] came down for quite a few months to get start up grant for swords us started, and we decided to learn the and were delighted when Visit the website for prices and products, Newbiggin dance first. it was approved. Frank Left and above: Dance out in Northallerton Photograph by Lauren Davis simonbrockclogs and see social media for recent developments. @simon_brock_clogs 08 www.simonbrock.co.uk Old Glory Thrales Rapper

Orcadia Photographs by Mike Everett Dancing England 2019 Whip the Cat Dancing England was an annual event from 1979 to 1987, held in Derby, and was relaunched two years ago in Sheffield. It’s taken another two years and a move to Nottingham for the next one to happen, but it was worth it.

Arriving early at the Nottingham Playhouse, we found that dancing which may have been caused by dancing there was plenty going on with well-supported rapper sword on a raked stage and some of the acts with and clog dance workshops during the afternoon, plus displays only a few dancers in their sets looked a little and exhibitions on morris and sword dancing, traders’ stalls lost in the large open space of a theatre’s Mike and a film show from Doc Rowe. stage, although others managed to make the most of it. Perhaps stagecraft is a skill morris Everett Pre-show entertainment was provided by Sullivan’s Sword, a sides will have to learn? local dance side, performing longsword 'Tom' Cat dances in the foyer. Taking our seats in The evening finished the Circle looking down on the stage, we with Rhi Davies and the Melrose wondered if a show of traditional dance Ceilidh Band leading a ceilidh dance on and folklore would work in this more the crowded stage while many of the formal setting compared to the way it had performers and audience stayed on to previously been performed in the round. watch and listen.

We needn’t have worried. The almost One of Dancing England’s straplines is full house enjoyed a brilliant three-hour “where the tradition moves on” yet most show with an exceptionally high standard of the dance sides performing were the and quality of dancing, music and acts. same ones who had performed in the Most forms of traditional English dance 1980s and there were very few women were on display and, with such variety, dancers, with Whip the Cat and Orcadia Knaresborough Mummers it’s hard to select highlights from the 15 Morris being the only female dance sides. This is despite women making performances. Orcadia Old Glory Knaresborough Mummers up more than half of all morris dancers Carnival morris amazed those who had not seen it before with today. The Dancing England tradition needs to catch up before Orcadia Morris impressing all the dancers in the audience with it can move on. Dancing England also aims “to showcase the Taylor's Morris Knaresborough Mummers their precision and energy. The Dolphin Morris Men recreated best of traditional dance in the UK, along with unique and/or a 300-year-old tradition of the Nottingham Dancing Butchers interesting folk customs to celebrate the UK's wide cultural playing meat cleavers with ‘marrow bones’ rather like a group heritage” so perhaps dances and customs from other parts of of handbell ringers – but how do you tune bones and cleavers? the UK will be included in future? The Knaresborough Mummers kept tradition alive and moving forward with their hilarious mummers play, The Farce Awakens, Let’s hope this show of traditional dance does indeed move starring Luke Warmwater and characters from science fiction on and continues to celebrate our wonderful traditions and films and TV programmes. customs in such a magnificent way, and, with plans to return to the Nottingham Playhouse in 2021, Dancing England is once An unexpected bonus of a staged theatre show for many of the again on the folk calendar. morris dancers was the backstage support and dressing room facilities. However, there were a couple of falls during the Adapted from a live review first published in The Living Tradition.

10 11 fed www.morrisfed.org.uk extraSummer 2019 Dancing at Black Diamond Mixed Cotswold Morris’ Day of Dance in Darlington Photograph by Ellie Bird

Black Gate's first appearance in kit, with the Baltic and Millennium Two sets up for our show spot at Black Diamond Mixed Cotswold Bridge in the background, Photograph by Andrew Shield Morris’s Day of Dance in Darlington. Photograph by Mike Everett

Meet the North East’s Newest Side: Black Gate Morris The jingle of bells and the clash of sticks can be heard alongside the clatter of rapper swords in Newcastle once again... Katie Dancing at Black Diamond Mixed Cotswold Morris’s Day of Dance Dancing at Black Diamond Mixed Cotswold Morris’s Day of Dance Palmer in Darlington. Photograph by Ellie Bird in Darlington. Photograph by Ellie Bird Since the demise of Newcastle Morris a confident side with a repertoire of 12 and the Hexhamshire Heathman Men in the mid 1990s, Newcastle has dances and an eye-catching new kit. Lasses, set up to support fulfilling a constitutional objective about and wanted to return. Many of their balance of ‘classic Cotswold’ and unusual been without its own Cotswold morris The kit is generously funded by both The morris in the region and the ‘promotion’ of morris. In December members, though, are brand new to twists, and allow those with previous side. This is almost unthinkable in a city Morris Federation, who provided a grant primarily funded by the 2017 all of this came together, with morris, though it’s impossible to tell experience to bring favourite dances and with such a vibrant folk scene: the home to purchase bells, and The Hexham Morris teams’ band The Blue Eyed Strangers. Roger and Mark Insley, a student on after a year’s hard practice: some of the traditions to the side. A former member of the UK’s first degree in , Trust Fund - a registered charity with So how did they get here? the folk degree course, circulating newbie members, like Fiona and Rachel of Rockhopper Morris is teaching them to the crucible of rapper, the backdrop of a trustees from both Hexham Morris Men Discussions around Newcastle regarding information locally and organising a Todd, have the great advantage of being dance Raglan, and they have borrowed a thousand keelmen’s and pitmen’s songs. the formation of a mixed taster practice in February 2018. Over musical virtuosos studying for the folk Bledington stick dance written by Mendip Enter Black Gate Morris, Cotswold side had been 30 people turned up, and many carried degree at Newcastle University, and as Morris and an ‘Adderbury Newydd’ a mixed side founded happening for many years. on as the side began to coalesce. such, their total immersion in the world written by Cardiff Morris, as well as in February 2018 at the A short-lived university of folk has seen them take to morris with writing their own processional for an instigation of morris side (2006-2007) Black Gate brings together veteran ease. upcoming appearance at the Morpeth folky and Hexham Morris led by Nick Wiseman Ellis, dancers and musicians with those who Gathering. man Roger Kennington, and ran joint workshops with are completely new to the morris world. Black Gate has a membership spanning named for a gate of the Hexham but this did not lead Several are members of Hexham Morris teens to, well, not teens, and a definite By the time you read this, Black Gate castle from which the city to a permanent side. The Men or the Hexhamshire Lasses and camaraderie brought about by all of the will have put together their summer takes its name. conversation was further wanted to support the initiative and add pre-existing relationships its members programme ready to delight audiences something new to their morris portfolio. have brought to the team: couples, in the area on Wednesday nights at local The side made their first stimulated by a performance Some dance other traditions such as siblings, parents and grown-up children, pubs and other spots. Plus they’ll have public appearance, knowing of Hotspur School children, step clog, rapper or border and are now university course mates, dogs and made their first festival appearances only four dances and without taught by Roger, at the adding another string to their bow. owners. Of course, they want to dance at Morpeth Gathering in late April and any kit, at a launch party Ouseburn Festival; and by and play to a high standard and put on Todmorden Folk Festival in early May, at local historic folk venue talks with Cumberland Arms Eilish Ferry-Kennington, a member a good show, but they still want to have but you may still be able to catch them at The Bridge Hotel in October regulars who wanted to get of Hadrian Clog, wasn't looking for a fun and make friends in the process. Hartlepool Folk Festival in October. 2018, followed by plenty of back into Cotswold. new side to join but turned up at the music and singing afterwards. Parallel to this, Hexham Morris workshop and accidentally picked up Their repertoire is as much a group If you’re looking to join, Black Gate will Just five months later, their Men’s AGMs in 2015 and a dose of the ‘Cotswold bug’. Others, effort as their kit-making (every cut, be back at practice in the PTE Club, second public appearance, a 2016 included resolutions like Squire Katie Palmer Heathman, had stitch and stroke of the iron done by a Heaton, on Wednesday nights from danced Cotswold before moving to the team member, with a dedicated core September – all welcome, regardless of tour of the Ouseburn Valley Squire Katie Palmer Heathman is presented with a cheque from the Hexham to support the formation of in Byker in March 2019, saw Morris Trust Fund by HMM bagman Brian Bell. Photograph by Geoff Roberts a mixed team in Newcastle, area, or had danced it many years ago taking the lead). They wanted to keep a age or experience.

12 13 fed www.morrisfed.org.uk extraSummer 2019 ALAN COURTNEY Capturing the dance — Dorset Morri’arty’s top photography tips Although I have won landscape photography awards, my real passion is dance photography.

What attracted me to photographing morris dancers? Quite simply, the characters, the movement, the colour and vibrancy of happy, smiling dancers.

Dancers came to recognise me as a regular photographer, and it was not long before I was invited to join a side.

I now dance with Sarum Morris, as well as photographing other sides. My stamping ground (no pun intended) for photos so far has been in the Southwest. However, I would love to discover and capture sides all over the country, as opportunities and invitations present themselves.

I regularly post my images on social Northgate Rapper at Wimborne Folk Festival, 10 June 2017 media and receive some lovely This shows the importance of using burst mode on your camera to get the decisive moment combined with the right shutter speed to freeze the action. comments and I am thrilled when sides ask to use my images for their publicity. Here are some of my tips for taking a good morris Note from the editor: Alan's photo of Rosie Mott from Belles of London City is featured Martha Rhoden’s Tuppenny Dish at Sidmouth Folk Festival, 7 August 2017 Sarum Morris at Salisbury Cathedral, 14 July 2018 photograph: on the front cover of this issue. I look This is an example of everything coming together. I was concentrating on the front dancer and had her This is an example of framing the side within the context of the • Be aware of your surroundings and try to frame forward to featuring more of his action lined up nicely with the flowers at the front of the stage, I was using auto-focus and burst and managed surroundings — in this case Sarum Morris in front of Salisbury pictures in future editions. to capture the legs of the dancer behind in just the right position to give this quirky and unique shot. Cathedral in their home city. the side within the context of their surroundings. • Get to know the dances so you can anticipate what is going to happen. Sussex Junction with a dancer from Belle D'Vain Morris at Sidmouth Folk Festival, 10 August 2018 Cuckoos Nest Morris at Hastings Jack in the Green, 5 May 2018 • Use burst mode to increase your chances of This is an example of not hesitating and being able to capture the spontaneous and unexpected. This moment occurred at last year’s Sidmouth This is an example of experimenting with an unusual angle. Here I was looking down Folk Festival. Sussex Junction had collapsed on the floor at the end of their dance and a dancer from Belle D’Vain decided to jump over one of on the proceedings and have then processed the photo using my signature black and getting the decisive moment with a fast shutter the dancers – a fleeting moment but one that demonstrates the sense of fun of both the sides involved. white arty effect with only the dancers picked out in colour. speed (1/320th of a second or higher). • Use autofocus and don’t worry if sometimes it focuses on the wrong dancer. • Concentrate on one or two dancers in any particular dance to increase your chance of getting a great shot. • Don’t hesitate – if you spend time lining up a shot the moment will pass especially when something spontaneous happens. • Develop your own style - as you get more experienced try and add your individual and special style to the mix. • Experiment - look for unusual angles and combinations. • Look for interesting details for close ups.

I would like to dedicate this article to all the wonderful dancers and sides that have embraced and encouraged my photography over the last few years.

14 15 Hook Eagles dancing in the dark at Hartley Wintney Wassail

Hook Eagles team photo at Sweeps Festival, Rochester Wicker man burning at Beltain Festival Wassails to watercress— All photographs by Jonathan Buisson/Hook Eagle Morris Men

Hook Eagle Morris Men Jonathan Buisson From midwinter wassail ceremonies to burning wicker men and all that’s best about watercress, Hook Eagle Morris Men kicked off their 28th season in the usual style, dancing in orchards, fields, pub car parks and railway platforms in north Hampshire and beyond...

Our wassail ceremony in the Hartley Farm on the South Downs has become The next day, Hook Eagles were up bright Wintney millennium orchard first started another regular event. The farm houses and early, fuelled by a full English from a few years after the trees were planted. recreations of British dwellings from a local café, for a trip to the Sweeps It’s now a regular feature in the village Roman to Medieval times and Beltain Festival in Rochester. This year we had calendar and attracts a crowd of around attracts a very folk-orientated crowd some prime spots on the High Street in 200 for the torch-lit parade. It's also in who are always eager to join in with the front of the War Memorial Gardens and Hook Eagles dancing at Sweeps Festival, Rochester the diaries of some local professional Dilwyn Stick Dance (from the village of Rochester Cathedral. Our dancers were photographers and images are shared ‘Stick Dance’). The event culminates with soon rolling on the floor (unintentionally) through international press agencies, the burning of a 30-foot high themed and, as ever, we had to hold the crowds meaning that we’ve been seen not just wicker man. As this year’s event was on back to allow all the various sides in local newspapers but also around May the fourth, the man had a vaguely attending enough space to dance. One of the world. Everyone loves a photo of Jedi appearance. Much hilarity when, half the great things about Sweeps is seeing Hook Eagles in the parade at Hartley Wintney Festival some mad Englishmen doing something way through the burning, his arms gave all the morris traditions represented and incomprehensible with flaming torches, way and the upright light sabre “assumed dancing alongside each other. toast and cider, singing to a tree in a the position” for one of our knobcracking darkened orchard! We also bless the dances! Watercress is one of Hampshire’s most trees at a local allotment, but that’s not famous delicacies, a superfood with crowds. As well as dancing on the High the summer, a return to the sun-soaked so glamorous. many culinary uses, as demonstrated at Street, we also danced on the platform beach at Whitstable for Dead Horse the Watercress Festival in New Alresford, at New Alresford station, greeting Morris’ Day of Dance that coincides with We kicked off the dancing season near Winchester. This is the home of passengers arriving behind the steam the Whitstable Oyster Festival. Hook formally on St George’s Day with a watercress growing and the local railway trains from the park-and-ride facility Eagles will go anywhere for a good bit of walking tour of three local pubs in line, now preserved, is known as the further up the line. food (and beer)! Odiham in the company of Mayflower Watercress Line reflecting the huge Morris, Borderline Morris and Pilgrim amounts that used to be transported The remainder of our summer season PS Really good to see Derek Tarrant, Morris. This was our first dance out for from here. The Festival attracts up to has involved the usual local fetes and one-time Foreman of Music with Hook this year’s new recruit, Dean, and he 20,000 visitors each year. We started fairs, with events in Hartley Wintney and Eagle Morris Men and now 'country acquitted himself very well, despite only by taking part in the parade, along with Dogmersfield, just down the road from member' and occasional guest musician, having joined towards the end of our Mayflower Morris, just behind the “King Hook. Then we packed our bags for a trip doing his 'Tory MP power stance' with practice season. and Queen of Watercress”, two local to Bloodstone Morris’ Weekend of Dance Chiltern Hundreds on pages 2 and 17 of children who have the joy of throwing at Havertree on the Isle of Wight over the Winter/Spring issue of FedExtra — DT The Beltain festival at the Butser Ancient Hook Eagles on the platform at bright green bunches into the waiting the midsummer weekend and, later in for PM! Hook Eagles on the platform at New Alresford Station during Watercress Festival New Alresford Station during Watercress Festival

16 17 fed www.morrisfed.org.uk fed www.morrisfed.org.uk extraSummer 2019 extraSummer 2019 Mayday Jan Jones Mayhem! May 1942 - May 2019 Best known in recent years as a member of the Cockleshell Clog Belonging to all these Dancers, Jan was a great choreographer and made up several dance groups meant of 'The Clogs' North-West repertoire. She loved and performed weekends were nearly dancing all her life, intermittently dancing at The Grand Ceilidh always spent away. Club but didn't enter the world of morris until 1988 when she Jan has probably joined the Cotswold team Hands Around Ladies Morris. danced in every county in England, parts of While with Hands Around at Hastings' 1990 Jack-in-the-Green Wales and Scotland she met me, John New, a musician with Cockleshell, Squire of and several European the Benfleet Hoymen and later editor of efn magazine. We got countries too. It's fair Judith together later that year and in 1991, Jan joined Cockleshell Clog; to say morris dancing Davison while still dancing with Hands Around. played a major part of Holly Copse her life, so much so that it wore her hip out…twice! John Rag Bag Morris on Mayday morn In 1992 the Benfleet Hoymen hung up their bells so we both New joined the Bullnose Morris (Cotswold). In 1993 Jan began Over the years Jan had taken on major roles with Rag Bag Morris dancing at dawn on Mayday 2019, dancing with Spinning Jenny International Dancers and along Molly 10th on the causeway to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne Bullnose, Hands Around and Cockleshell where with me became founding members of the Scrambled Leggs (fortunately the tide was out). she earned great respect from fellow dancers and the morris Appalachian dancers making four dance sides Jan was dancing society in general. Anniversary This will be the most northerly dance out in England, with. It was while with Scrambled Leggs that Jan discovered her being just a few miles from the border at its most ability to interpret and create dances which she later put to use Bullnose and the Tappets ceased in 2011 leaving her just Energy levels were high, and fun levels higher northerly point. We normally practise and hold dance with The Clogs and Bullnose. Cockleshell and Hands Around until her second fight with Cancer still to combat the January nip in the air outs in Southern Scotland and North . in 2014 (the first being in 2009), which forced her frustratingly when Holly Copse Molly dancers c2000 both Scrambled Leggs and Spinning Jenny disbanded, to take a back seat until beating the second cancer and then but so as not to lose out too much Jan persuaded the girls of commemorated Plough Monday, having her second hip replacement. Christine Bullnose to form an Appalachian group, with the boys playing and the side’s first decade Moore the music, they called themselves the Bullnose Morris Tappets. She was just beginning to dance again in late 2017 when the of dance, on Sunday 6 January at The Tappets always went down well at morris events, dancing cancers returned again and after a long fight Jan passed away Wimborne’s British Legion. without bells in traditional whites, with baldric; plus tap shoes; peacefully, holding my hand on 16 May this year. She is missed to Bluegrass tunes! by her comrades, friends, family and of course me. Holly Copse Molly, a mixed side, take their name from the ancient village of Holdenhurst, near Bournemouth, Dorset, the parish in which the side still practise. Not only is Holly Copse one of the youngest sides in the locality, their lively, young attitude is emphasised by the colour scheme of their kit in which black, yellow and magenta feature in all The sun rises over the causeway Theresa 'Terry' McKay Mick manner of weird and wonderful garments. These colours also adorned their delicious 10th birthday cake, which was Staniforth shared among members of the side and Bourne River Morris 1939 – 2019 Men, who danced at the celebratory event. Holly Copse Well-known Herefordshire & Shropshire dancer, teacher and Pipes'. She then went Molly was started in 2009 with two workshops led by choreographer passed away peacefully at the age of 80 after a on to become one of Ouse Washes. Sadly we said farewell and thank you to Bob long illness. the founders of the Dodson, one of the founder members, who has proved a Appalachian Clog team Mary Theresa Savage was born in Chelmsford, Essex after her great inspiration and teacher since the side’s inception. Kickin' Alice. The band, ably led by Bob Stephenson and Andy Jempson, parents had moved south from the coal mining communities provide marvellous music which just gets the dancers of County Durham. A keen dancer from an early age she was Later, with husband moving with enjoyment and enthusiasm. “Hip, hop, just classically trained in ballet, jazz and tap; becoming a qualified Jim at the sound desk, can’t stop!” emblazoned on one member’s waistcoat, ballet teacher at the astonishingly early age of 12. Terry set up TJ’s Line Dancing School and for loudly proclaims their joie de vivre. Happy Birthday and After leaving school she soon found herself performing in the many years village halls long live Holly Copse Molly! musical theatre shows of London’s West End. It was during the length and breadth this time in the late 50s that she met her future husband, jazz of the Welsh borders saxophonist, Edinburgh born Jim McKay, a recently demobbed resounded to cowboy RAF bandsman and jobbing musician in the various West-End boots stomping away theatre orchestras. to 'Boot Scootin’ Jim made no secret of the fact that the price of obtaining her Boogie'. parents’ blessing for the marriage was that he get a “proper Terry’s extensive professional background gave her very high day job”. To this end the newly-weds moved to Basildon, Essex standards and an exceptional eye for detail; values which she where Jim took up employment in the transport department of also brought to traditional dancing. She never forgot that an oil company while Terry established a busy and successful whatever the dance genre, the primary aim was always to dance school in Corringham. entertain the audience. After raising three children, and upon taking early retirement, Her Life Celebration was held (rather appropriately) at a packed the couple moved to leafy Leominster, Herefordshire where Lion Ballroom in Leominster after which she was laid to rest in Terry wasted no time in becoming a founder member of Victory Morris Day of Dance, Portsmouth & Gosport, 20 July 2019 a quiet woodland plot in the hills overlooking Leominster. Photograph by Romeo Mike Charlie (flickr.com) Leominster Morris and wrote their signature dance, 'Jenny

18 19 fed www.morrisfed.org.uk fed www.morrisfed.org.uk extraSummer 2019 extraSummer 2019

interest, and because they all But my favourite discovery this know each other and are slaves year was a brand new morris to the Cotswold traditions side called Huginn and Muninn (about which they know far – a pair of dancers and one more than me...), they all join musician who dress as crows in each other’s dances, which after the Norse myth of Odin’s is quite lovely indeed. I came ravens, Hugin and Munin that away from the folk festival follow him in battle and fly out actually wanting to learn hanky around Midgard each morning dances, but only so that I could to bring him news from the dance them in Australia. nine worlds. They performed some crazy jazz with sticks and But to reflect on it all, there shields, and who knows what did seem to be an almost was going on with the big black crippling self-consciousness balloons that came out and ate in their clinging to the old people’s heads! Cotswold traditions. I’ve always found that to be the more But this is what morris is about sanitised side of morris; the for me. Two people starting up kind that goes to church and a new side in whatever tradition won’t necessarily be found in they fancy, bringing in whatever the dark brandishing flaming ancient mythology floats their torches, drinking heavily and respective boats, thinking about Surly Griffin Morris at communing with some ancient, the spectacle, and incorporating National Folk Festival, Australia What the Folk? less defined thing. Where the a bit of heavy metal into morris. Easter weekend, I morris danced at the National Folk Festival in Canberra. A five-day folk festival, and hell was Border? Folk must grow and follow incredibly, one that was a 15-minute tram ride from my house and had absolutely no mud. the folk and their culture. I am assured that Border exists Otherwise it fossilises into the Hard for an English girl to get up a whole five sides. The After festivals in tiny places like my favourite in Australia. When I attend the elite or the useless. her head around – surely you’re purpose of the folk festival Rochester, Wimborne, Oxford, style, but Christina Huon Valley Midwinter Festival, supposed to get up at the crack is to showcase regions, so Swanage with a multitude my-my, can Collins I expect there will be a lot more And Australia seems to have of dawn and spend four tense they specifically invite sides of sides in varied costumes, the Australians of the burning stuff and creepy encounter a large deer on the diversity and colour are the not got there yet. Perhaps it’s hours in the car crawling past from certain states (and make colours and pageantry, dance it! costumes. In this, Border has lane, then arrive on Pitstone sign of English morris. OK, not still establishing and then when Stonehenge on a single track them largely pay for their own Australia’s festival lacked that always seemed to be more Hill amid the yellow glow of a proper diversity, morris dancers it’s secure, it will move to the road to get to a festival in tickets). This year was Big Fella immense diversity. But it did Watching the likes of progressive, well, that’s my cowslip carpet and New Moon are still resoundingly white and next phase. time for the first set, and woe and Little Fella, a side from the mean everyone knew each Bellswagger and Black Joak, interpretation. Most sides have and sing the English, but there is a huge betide anyone who forgets their enormous state of Western other, they all camped together, with vigorous leaping, shouts, women, they use face-paint glowing red ball of light up. I mix of styles and colour. The There are new sides arising in wellies. Australia and Surly Griffin ate together, drank together strength and grace, actually and wear wild costumes (if it’s can feel spring. immense percussive orchestra Australia – I had the privilege to from the little ol’ Australian and there was a lovely, close made me want to join in. The about disguising yourself with of the Witchmen boom out witness the birth of one at the Mud is such a feature of British Capital Territory. And the family atmosphere. old fellas in England would have paint and rags so you can hide In Rochester that weekend, across the streets and you find Folk Festival - a side of garland festivals that a whole couture three sides from Brisbane, been trembling in their bells if your face from your employer a hundred sides in different your legs running towards the dancers. Imagine in May, the has sprung up in designer Sidney and Melbourne that Now Australian morris is really they'd seen it. It was exactly as you beg for money, why not colours, ribbons and feathers sound to see what’s going on frothing of hawthorn over the rubber footwear. So imagine a won’t be discouraged from any into the Cotswold traditions. what they like to talk about as your gender?) and there is a are celebrating the May-o and and you are not disappointed. hedgerows and young, lithe, purpose built festival ground, opportunity to get their jig on. Unfortunately, it’s never been they lean their rotund bellies more pagan, earthy feel to it. It beautiful girls gather blossoms not a farmer’s field that gets over my chair in pubs to tell me also seems to be the way morris and weave them into garlands churned and swamped in all about what I’ve been doing is progressing in England; you and into their hair and dance. so much rubbish that whole for four years. Or is it? can be a catch-all for the folkies What could be more beautiful? ecosystems are annually and the goths and young people destroyed, but one with logical These sides have women; tall, who are more interested in the In Canberra, on that special paths between stages, purpose- strong, beautiful Australian style of dance. evening with fire circles giving built exhibition buildings with women who add a uniformity light and heat, out stepped an stages, bars and seating. And it to the set by their height and Cut to England and I wake up amalgamation of young girls was clean, unlike me, who was strength and they kick and leap on a narrowboat with the croak and men from several sides dressed in black and sweatily about on light feet better than of an owl at four in the morning wreathed in green and silver capering about in what they any man I’ve seen in England. on May the first. Into the blue with gold fairy lights in their said was 24°C but felt like a hell Most of the sides were a light in our bells, we step off hats. It was beautiful. of a lot more. rough 50-50 gender split and and I’m drowning in the song of just dispensed with all that blackbirds and I have forgotten Australia is reviving morris but So what’s morris like Down nonsense about women not how beautiful they are. Driving now it needs to grow. It needs Under? Well...the National Folk being allowed. It's also inclusive towards Ivinghoe at the end of the courage to start something Festival, Australia, mustered to everyone who has a folky the ancient Icknield way, we new.

New Moon Morris on May Day morning Huginn and Munnin

20 21 fed www.morrisfed.org.uk fed www.morrisfed.org.uk extraSummer 2019 extraSummer 2019

Fee Lock The Morris Federation Secretary THE Morris Ring ARM March 2019 I attended The Morris Ring Annual Representatives' Meeting (ARM) — the equivalent to our AGM — at Oak Farm Hotel in Cannock on 2 March 2019 on behalf of the Morris Federation. Nicki Pickering, Chair, and Jen Cox, Secretary, of Open Morris also attended.

Pete Simpson of Jockey Morris Men is the gender in its member sides; that had everyone was able to feel comfortable Karpeles as a pivotal collector of morris, The Morris Ring) and Peter Copley for current Squire and oversaw the proposal been the subject of some considerable enough with old friends to be able to and in particular her work with Sharp on their superb organisation. As one of the of First Class Stamp as members of The discussion beforehand and during the enjoy the Feast. the traditions of the Appalachians. This initial group of people, who included Morris Ring. They are an Appalachian ARM itself. This year feelings ran almost was in honour of First Class Stamp joining Chris Hall (then Chair of Open Morris) side, mixed, and formerly members of as high, particularly regarding the An important part of the accoutrements The Morris Ring as full members. and John Bacon (then President of The The Morris Federation. Emma Melville, discussion as to whether Appalachian of the Feast is the silverware, which has Morris Federation), sitting in the garden who dances with them, is the daughter dancing could be considered English been donated by different sides over After the Feast it’s expected that of John Frearson (then Bagman of The of Mike Garland, former Squire of The dancing. the years. This was displayed at the top everyone takes part in massed dancing: Morris Ring), saying we really needed Morris Ring and her brother is Adam table where I was sitting (see photo). someone will suggest a dance from a to have closer links on the important Garland, another former Squire of The As members of fellow morris Another important aspect is the Loyal tradition and if you know it, you leap in. I things about morris, this kind of close Morris Ring, so she had pretty much organisations and tellers, Jen, Nicki and I Toast (to the Queen), followed by a toast can’t remember the number of times I’ve partnership is really important and grown up with the local Ring sides. all felt rather relieved that when the vote to the Immortal Memory (originally to seen Fieldtown Valentine, but I’ve never incredibly welcome. I'm very pleased to had been taken (28 in favour, 9 against, Cecil Sharp for saving the morris from actually learnt it properly — however, I say that I no longer get invitations that You will remember that last year The 5 abstentions), there didn’t seem to be oblivion). The latter alters a little year think I acquitted myself reasonably well. say I am welcome to attend the ARM and Morris Ring took a vote to alter its too many bad feelings about what is on year, and this year Eddie Worrall, that any male members of my party are constitution to remove reference to clearly a very passionately-held view, and immediate past Squire, toasted Maud My thanks to Jon Melville (Bagman of invited to stay for the Feast!

hobad qtr vt 2019_Layout 1 20/06/2019 15:47 Page 1

since 1976 STEPPING ON: A CONFERENCE ON STEPPING IN DANCE BRITAIN’S FOLK & ACOUSTIC SPECIALISTS ACROSS THE BRITISH ISLES AND BEYOND 16-17 November 2019, Cecil Sharp House, London About the conference Potential topics include: The British Isles have a rich history of step dancing • Local/regional step dance traditions of many forms and in many contexts some of which • Stepping in social dances are relatively well known and others largely lost. • Stepping in other dances such as sword, An Aladdin’s cave of treasures! It is a history which goes back many centuries and rapper and morris Come and try the instruments for yourself. links with traditions in other parts of the world. The • Stepping on the stage visit our shops and festival stalls! aim of the conference is to further our knowledge • The twentieth century clog revival and understanding, and to stimulate debate. The Music and stepping conference will be of interest to practitioners, • researchers and all who are interested in the • Competitions diversity of traditional dance in the British Isles. • Contemporary issues in step dance revival • Histories of stepping in dance We intend to present a mixture of papers, The role of the dancing masters demonstrations, workshops, round table • discussions and posters. • International links e.g. through migration BIRMINGHAM | BRIGHTON | BRISTOL • Experience from traditions in other countries CANTERBURY | EDINBURGH (SCAYLES)| LEEDS |LONDON Find out more at which can illuminate the experience in the MANCHESTER | SOUTHAMPTON | RED WING MN, USA www.vwml.org/steppingconference Five Rivers Morris, Sidmouth Folk Festival 2019 Order online or call +44(0)333 800 9500 British Isles Photograph by Alan Courtney www.hobgoblin.com

22 23 PHOENIX MORRIS Michael Sarum Morris Alan Supporting their community Stimpson Salisbury Day of Dance Courtney Performing at local events in Rickmansworth during Sarum Morris are Salisbury’s local morris side. We have 2019 we have been supporting our community by always hosted a weekend of dance in July inviting a collecting during the year and donating money to few sides to join us dancing in and around Salisbury local charities. on the Saturday, and Stonehenge and Avebury on the Sunday. Phoenix helped launch this year's Ricky Week at the Rickmansworth Carnival. A real range of dancers from long- However, this year, after the awful Novichock attack and standing veterans to some of our new crop of dancers — its effect on tourism in the city, we wanted to do our bit by members from last year's open evening. organising a grand Salisbury Day of Dance to celebrate how truly wonderful our city is. And what better way to bring joy, This year we were excited to have won our first ever cup as happiness and smiles to Salisbury. the best individual entry — a photocall was in order. We also skipped practice that week to dance at a local pub to support With the council’s support, the morris community rose to the Ricky Week. challenge and nine dance sides agreed to join Sarum Morris on the day. In addition, it was Phoenix Morris' 26th year performing at the Clausentum Morris Photographs by Alan Courtney Rickmansworth Canal Festival. We have been performing over The day started and finished with show dances from all the this weekend since it began in 1993. Dancers and musicians sides followed by dancing throughout the day at various put on an entertaining performance throughout the weekend. locations including the Guildhall Square, Cathedral, Arts Centre, Phoenix Morris at Rickmansworth Canal Festival and Old George Mall. We must take our hats off to our newer dancers who on the Photographs by Michael Stimpson Sunday did really well to perform at such a large event with so The day was a great success and we are so grateful to few of us. Some of us were able to join in the fun of the finale Alton Morris, Bloodstone Border Morris, Bourne River Morris, of the festival to bid farewell for another year. Clausentum Morris, Festus Derriman Morris, Meon Valley Morris, Morena Dance, Mr Wilkins' Shilling Morris and Oyster Girls Morris We not only performed locally but attended weekends of dance for making the day so special. and folk festivals. Our latest being Wimborne Minster Folk Festival where we all had a wonderful time.

A triumphant year for Phoenix as well as winning our local cup, Festus Derriman Morris we also won the prize at Wimborne for collecting the most money over the weekend!

Phoenix Morris ar Rickmansworth Carnival with their prize cup for 'best individual entry' Photographs by Michael Stimpson

Main photo above and left: Phoenix Morris at Wimborne Folk Festival Photographs by Tom Scrase Mr Wilkins' Shilling Sarum Morris

24 25 fedextrawww.morrisfed.org.uk The John Gasson Summer 2019 Paul White's Jig Competition DIARY The rain it raineth down… Winners – 2019 and so does the beer! The annual competition held in August on the first Sunday of But they were keen. And framed gazebo had disappeared. Lanes were empty. Devoid of Sidmouth Folk Week. It is organised in memory of John Gasson, when they learned we Not a pole, peg, rope or stretch of people. This was proper rain. who was tragically killed on his way to Sidmouth Festival in 1987. ed sky at night, planned to have a dance anyway, canvas was in evidence. It takes a lot to put off a Royal Photographs by Alan Courtney unless otherwise indicated shepherd's delight.” but later in the day, they came Cornwall Show-goer but this day and joined us. And then we went But down the hill in Wadebridge, had largely defeated them. “Oak before ash and to the pub. So all was well and that same morning, a resident Ryou're in for a splash. Ash before ended well. woke to find his garden was now Down at the festival stage, oak and you're in for a soak.” home to a fully intact gazebo, when the sun shines (actually, Down here in Cornwall, there's standing upright, intact and ready whenever it isn't raining), every There's many a saying for action. seat is taken and crowds throng that gives us some the lawn. The atmosphere is indication of what This year we – Common terrific and the dancers are well the weather might be Morris - were invited made-up. about to do. For we by Tinners Morris to join get caught out by iffy them at the Cornwall This year, apart from our own forecasts on the telly Festival of Dance, dancers going out front and more often than we which is an integral taking pictures, we danced for 3rd SOLO: Simon Brassington would like. Like back part of the show. What rows of empty seats. Apart from st nd 1 SOLO: Toby Melville & Jon Melville 2 SOLO: Mossy Christian & Edwin Beasant Potton Ben by Photograph & Chris Cook on the morning of the a treat; as a new side, one couple who sat through both first of May. we had not yet been performances, well-wrapped in 2nd DOUBLES: part of anything on this plastic, and videoed it all. Alice Moss, We decided to scale. Maria Marshall celebrate May Day in What to do between & Tom Wright good traditional style As show time appearances? Tinners had the and head up to the approached, we all kept answer. Breweries do a roaring Hurlers stone circles our eye on the weather trade at the show and Tinners on Bodmin Moor to forecast. It wasn't turn up each year, grace them all dance up the dawn. looking brilliant. But with their dancing and bonhomie One proviso: if the things change and hope and in return are forced to drink weather was going springs eternal. beer. Cornwall Festival of Dance with crowds and sunshine to be wet, we would call it off. Dancing on slippy grass another well-worn phrase that Day one of the show was a good They are good at both disciplines while the melodeon sucks in purports to indicate the imminent day, weather-wise and crowds and do an impressive amount of moorland mist and rain was not arrival of rain. It goes like this: were huge. Same for day three. limbering up each year before the considered conducive. Traffic queues stretched for miles show. After all, practice (usually) 1st DOUBLES: Simon Pipe, Molly Pipe & Mark Rogers 3rd DOUBLES: “We are off to the Royal Cornwall and the avenues were thronged. makes perfect. BEST OVER 40: Simon Pipe & Mark Rogers Emma Wooders, Tracy Seelig & Mark Rogers And Lo! The forecast was rotten. Show next week.” So, reluctantly, we called it off. Day two – our day – was a This year we joined them in this “Better take your waterproofs washout. Just two minutes after thankless task and I must say, AUDIENCE APPEAL: Graham Lee & Paul Bryan Alli and Pete, who live up the and wellies then.” leaving their tents, dancers and Common Morris held their own. I road, were fascinated when we musicians were so wet they hope they appreciated our help, told them our initial plans and Of course, it doesn't rain at the would have been more at home for we certainly appreciated had lots of questions. When we show every year. But when doing a bit of synchronised their company and generosity in saw them on May Day afternoon, it does, it does so with good swimming than 'morrissing'. sharing their day with us. they said they must have Cornish vigour and often with a remembered the facts wrong. quantity of gale-force wind that Journalist, editor, ukulele player, and singer, Paul White has been They went to the Hurlers for five sees marquees as a challenge to dancing the morris since the year 2000. He is a founding member of in the morning and not a morris progress. both Wreckers and Cat's Eye in Cornwall, helped form Couptrain Morris dancer could they find, though (France) and Turncoat, and has also danced with Lodestone. Paul can they searched hard. I remember the year a stallholder occasionally be found in Europe introducing fellow campers to the Whoops! arrived to find his aluminium- joys of morris, using baguettes, umbrellas, or tent poles for sticks. contact: [email protected] twitter: @morrisbells or Facebook

BEST NEW ENTRANT: Kate McQuillian & Jerry West 26 27 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” £0.65 £0.80 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” £0.70 £0.85 Up to 200 bells any size except 11/4” £4.35 1” £0.75 £0.90 North West Morris: Notations, illustrated with figures and diagrams Up to 200 bells 11/4” £8.70 11/8” £0.85 £1.00 for ten of the best North West Morris dances. £6.50 Over 200 bells please contact the Treasurer 11/4” £1.40 £1.55 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 Morris Dance. £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 October 2018