The dying tradition of Morris Men
Deputy features editor Anna Brosnan takes a look inside the quirky world of dancing fools and white handkerchiefs.
It is always interesting explaining the principles of Morris dancing to someone from a foreign land.
I have experienced the same conversation a few times in my life - notably with my American husband - and it goes a bit like this...
"Arrgh, there are some strange men who have taken over the village, they are skipping around and brandishing sticks."
"Haven't you heard of Morris men?"
"Morris who?"
"Umm, Morris men, they dance around on special days in villages, waving handkerchiefs and jangling bells. It's all very important and part of being English. Honest."
Explaining the significance of Morris dancing is not easy, but it is hundreds of years old, a vital and vibrant part of village life and something many would hate to see die out.
Yet there are many who fear that this is exactly what could happen if younger members are not recruited...and fast.
So, could Morris dancing be on its last legs?
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Northampton Morris Men, just one of the county's long running dance groups.
Although the group has a loyal band of skilled dancers, the average age of members is '50 something' and they are keen to attract more young people to ensure the future of this historic dancing style.
Ian Phillips, a 60-year-old warehouse worker from Moulton, has been a member of the side for 41 years.
He said the situation was very different back in the 1960s.
"It tended to be the revivalist time. There was a lot of young folk stuff going on in the county. There were things going on at the YMCA, dances for young people. We were all teenagers at the time.
"It is not so cool now to go to, but some areas of the country manage to get more youngsters involved and really go to town with it.
"It definitely needs young people to come along and give it a go, but the dedication has to be there. We are getting older and joints are getting stiffer. It is our way of keeping fit and meeting people from all walks of life. All sorts of people do it."
He continued: "What is annoying is the media and people like TV comedians who are always taking the mickey and that is part of the reason people don't want to give it a bash."
There are now 10 members in the Northampton Morris Men, who meet regularly at St Alban's Church in Broadmead Avenue, but at one time there were about 15.
The low point for the group came a few years ago when there were just three members and other groups had to lend dancers if the Northampton side wanted to perform anywhere.
And today Morris dancers are still in demand.
Ian explained: "We start May day in this area by dancing with the Rose & Castle group at Stoke Bruerne, then we do May day in Brackley, then it is a free-for-all with all the village festivals which need us. This has been one of our busiest times for many years.
"It is one of our local traditions and a British tradition. It has been done for hundreds of years and it is nice to do it."
Barry Care, aged 67, one of the founding members of the Moulton Morris Men, said he would like to see the tradition taught in schools again, even though the Moulton group has been successful in recruiting a few young members; with the youngest just nine years old.
He said: "We have about eight or 10 members under 20. We don't find it too difficult to recruit them but you have to keep at it all the time. It is just a case of persuading them to come and try it because it is fun.
"They suddenly realise it is an exciting thing to do and local to the area. We are very much part of the village community and they see us at Christmas and other times."
But encouraging children to learn this activity could start in schools, Barry, a former head teacher, said.
"When I was in primary schools dancing was very much part of the curriculum. It would be nice to see it in schools again. Over in Cambridge there is a teacher who had been teaching Morris dance to children and he has about 200 children doing it there.
"What we are supposed to be doing in this country is celebrating our national heritage. We are going to offer local schools the opportunity to teach country dancing to the children. I don't know if they will take it up."
Anyone who would like more information on joining the Northampton Morris Men can ring 648732. For more information about the Moulton group, ring Northampton 646818.
Morris dancing: fact file
- Morris dancing is believed to have been present in England for more than 600 years and the exact origin is still a source for argument.
- Some historical studies date Morris dancing back to the time of 1500 and Henry VII, when it is believed to have formed part of court entertainment. After this, the dance form became more widely practised and was linked to certain, seasonal events and village celebrations.
- Some believe Morris dancing is even older than this, dating back to the time of Edward III, when John of Gaunt brought the tradition back from his travels in Spain.
- From medieval times, these dances were linked to May Day, when jigs would be performed around a maypole, using a lively step. Bells would be attached to the knees and sometimes dancers would dress as old English characters such as Robin Hood, Maid Marian and Friar Tuck. Sticks brandished by the dancers represented swords.
- Some historical studies date the earliest Morris records back to the year 1500 and the time of Henry VII when it is believed they were used as part of court entertainments. It was after this it started to be used more widely and became linked to seasonal celebrations and village festivities.
- A typical Morris dancing side will include a squire or captain, a bagman or secretary, as well as a fool and a fake animal to interact with the audiences.
- The 1960s and 1970s saw a huge revival in folk music and, with it, many Morris teams were formed. During this time the number of clubs in the UK soared from 80 to 800.
- This form of dance is referred to by Shakespeare as a 'dance for festivals.' He calls the dancers Moriscos, a term which is believed to indicate a Spanish influence to the dance.
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