The Newsletter No.53 December 2007

Hi Fellow Bagmen and others,

2008 Morris Ring Meetings: An up-date.

• 30^th May - 1^st June : 75^th Anniversary Thaxted Morris Ring Meeting 200+ men Cost £65
• 4^th - 6^th July : Whitchurch MM 60^th Anniversary Morris Ring Meeting. 120 men Cost £70.
• 11^th -13^th July : Liverpool Morris: the 80^th Anniversary Ring Meeting 120 men Cost £70.
• 25th - 27th July Long Man MM South Downs Morris Ring Meeting 180 men Cost £70.
• 5^th - 7^th Sept : Dartington MM 40^th Anniversary Morris Ring Meeting. 160 men Cost £69.

• If your side have sent an application (to the Bagman of the Morris Ring through whom all applications have to be made) and you do not appear on this list please contact me as a matter of urgency.
• If your side intend to make an application please note that the Liverpool Meeting is almost full. There are places available at all of the others.

Future meetings:

2009 THE MORRIS RINGS 75^th ANNIVERSARY
29^th May - 31^st May 318 Thaxted Morris Ring Meeting
24^th 26^th July 319 Exeter Morris Ring Meeting
21^st 23^rd Aug 320 Men of Wight Ring Meeting
4^th 9^th - September 321 Bathampton MM 75^th Anniversary Morris Ring Meeting

Morris Ring ARM

The 2008 ARM will be hosted by Wadard on the weekend of 29^th Feb, 1^st & 2^nd March 2008.
The venue is Hopehill Scout Camp site. http://www.hopehill.org.uk/.

The Bagman for the weekend is Tony Lewis of Wadard Morris Men
Tel: 01474 874377
All application forms, correspondence regarding accommodation, meals etc. to Tony please at:
5 Westfield, New Ash Green, Longfield, Kent DA3 8QN

An application form is available here. Please complete and return this form by 1^st February 2008, else pay a £10 late booking fee!

Who will be our new officers / Area Reps?

At the ARM there will be elections for our next Squire of the Morris Ring for which position we have received three nominations, the details are available via the Morris Ring Google Group, or are on their way via snail mail post. Mug-shots are below!

Paul Beaumont Nominated by Stafford Morrismen

Steve Parker Nominated by East Surrey Morrismen

Brian Tasker Nominated by Broadwood Morrismen

Other elections: Also due for election was the post of Treasurer of the Morris Ring for which I have received no nominations other than for the incumbent Stephen Adamson BfB so no election is necessary.

Three Area Reps reach the end of their term in Office - those for the West Midlands; North West and South West & Wales. I understand that Kevin Downham for the West Midlands and Duncan Broomhead for the North West are prepared to continue and I have received no opposing nominations but after many years in Dudley Binding for the South West & Wales has decided to stand down. I have received a nomination for Alan Chappell of Exeter Morrismen down the post of Area Rep for the South West and Wales. Alan has been a member of Exeter Morrismen for about 20 years and his nomination is supported by both his own side and Dartington.

Application to Join the Morris Ring

We have received an application from Great Yorkshire Morris to convert their Associated Membership into Full Membership.

BAGMAN & CORRESPONDENT: Mr Robert Carter (Bgm), Brookside Cottage, Forest Moor Road, Knaresborough, N. Yorkshire, HG5 8JY. Tel: 01423 863433

DANCING AREA Yorkshire DANCE OUT EVENING: Wednesday

PRACTICE: Village Memorial Hall, Arthington Lane, Pool-in-Wharfedale, West Yorkshire, LS21 1LG. Alt Wednesdays Time: 20.00 hrs

REPERTOIRE: Cotswold Morris , Border Morris , Longsword and Rapper.

Great Yorkshire Morris

Supporting Side: Uttoxeter Morris Men

A number of members of the Uttoxeter Heart of Oak Morris Men have known the Great Yorkshire Morris for over 25 years, at a time when they were Boars Head Morris. They always have been considered a fun side to dance with.

The standard of dancing displayed by Great Yorkshire Morris is high.

Uttoxeter Morris believes Great Yorkshire Morris would be a welcome addition to the Morris Ring and are delighted to support their application to become members of the Morris Ring.

Formal notice of proposed changes to the Constitution of the Morris Ring:

Click here to view the Morris Ring Constitution

One of the advantages of our existing Constitution is that it is clear enough to serve the purpose of providing the fabric that holds us together without binding us so tightly that we are suffocated either by rules and regulations or those who might seek to circumvent such rules.

The proposed changes are simply intended to provide a slightly sharper focus upon the role of our Area Reps as we grapple with the issues such as the rising average age of our membership and falling recruitment.

The Morris Ring Officers have considered thefunction of area reps as currently perceived and would like to add to this a regional development perspective.

We are hoping that these people will use their drive, professionalism and communication skills and time to continue to liaise with sides in their area but expand their remit to work with other agencies in the promotion, recruitment, training, performanceand development of Morris dancing in their regional context. This will allow us, the Morris Ring, to grasp the opportunities such as the regional events to be staged as part of the Cultural Olympiad for which regional Creative Programmers have just been appointed. They could also have a role in liaising with counterpartsin other areas where appropriate for the promotion and performance of joint events where it was to everyones advantage.

To mirror this change in focus we are proposing that their title be changed from that of Area Representative to Regional Development Officers (RDOs).

Second. Currently the membership of the Morris Ring is divided into NINE sections based upon geographical area. There has been an immense amount of discussion in past times concerning where these boundaries should or should not be drawn. The last revision tried to take into account local government boundaries to facilitate the application of funds (from Arts Council / Sports Council/ etc) that were at the time allocated by and though these areas, as well as issues such as the number of clubs in and area, ease of transport and the like.

Each of these nine areas elects an individual to represent them on the Morris Ring Advisory Council. Beyond the general remit of the Advisory Council which is to consider how best to further the objects of the Morris Ring and to take action in an emergency the precise role of these nine area representatives has never been defined but they have become to be seen as the eyes and ears of the serving Squire across the country and have responded to various calls for assistance, advice etc. as requested.

To optimise the effectiveness of the re-designated RDOs their areas should as close as possibly match those of the regional Creative Programmers that is Arts and Culture regions: East, East Midlands, North East, North West, South East, South West, Yorkshire, West Midlands and London Area. The following table shows how these might morph:

Note: Electoral Pattern:

TREASURERS RAMBLINGS

Its that crazy time of year again with subscriptions, insurance and the planning of next years ARM and Morris Ring meetings. At the time of this newsletter going to press (Sunday 02/12/2007) the subscription figures are as follows:

Members: 116 paid + 42 overdue = 158 Members
Associates: 30 paid + 23 overdue = 53 Associates
Totals: 146 paid + 65 overdue = 211 Total Mem & Assoc

This is not an ideal situation (69%) but at least it is improving on previous years. The good news is that the Morris Ring archive group will benefit to the tune some £650.00 from the 65 sides subsequent involuntary donations of £10 each. You can find out if your Morris side is one of the 65 unsettled sides by either a) harassing your officers or b) contacting me. Dont forget: Your subscription is your insurance!

I, on behalf of the Morris Ring Archive Group, would like to thank those sides that have voluntarily donated £420 towards the groups activities. These are:
Kemps Men of Norwich, White Horse MM, Taunton Deane MM, Dolphin MM, Wantsum MM, Oakworth Village MM, Rumford MM, Offley MM, Leicester MM, Saddleworth MM, Aldbury Morris Men, Harthill MM, Etcetera MM, Gloucester MM, Weald of Kent Men, The (INH) Mummers, Thames Valley MM, Westminster MM, Bathampton MM, Forest of Dean MM, Dartington MM, Uttoxeter MM, Standon MM, Ewell St Marys Morris, Mersey MM, Lassington Oak MM, Cambridge MM, Woodchurch MM, and Coventry Mummers.

If any individual or party would like to make an anonymous donation of £600,000 (approx) but are too embarrassed to do so, please feel free to use my name. However, please be advised that at any following judicial hearing, I will deny all knowledge of any such donation, loan or transaction ever taking place :<) ;<) :<)

THE 'MORRIS' SHOP

LARK RISE TO CANDLEFORD was originally released in 1980 on vinyl and had a very brief short release on CD in 1991. Since then it has become one of those traditionally British gems hidden away in the closet of time. UNTIL NOW. From Keith Dewhurst, a National Theatre adaptation of Flora Thompsons classic trilogy of hamlet life in the 1880s and early 1900s, this album has become a much sort after item. Featuring a whos who of stars of the folk world including Martin Carthy, Shirley Collins, John Kirkpatrick, John Tams and Martin Simpson, to name but just a few. The books, already established as the masterpiece of a lost way of life, and an unforgettable impression of the transitional state between the old, stable, work-pleasure England and the modern world. The Music has a deliberate period flavour, with many traditional melodies and saw its first appearance at the National Theatre in 1978.

This epic work has now been adapted to a BBC drama to be shown over 10 series beginning in January 2008 CD now available from the Morris Shop at £12.00 (+£1 P&P). Other Morris goodies still available are:

• The Mother of all Morris, various artists. £13.00
• Dancing days are here again, Abion band, 2x CD set. £13.00
• PlainCapers, J.K. and others (Classic) £11.00
• A Touch of Morris, variouse artists £9.00
• Cobbled Together, Simon Care & Moulton MM £10.00
• Magic of Morris, Variouse Morris artists, 2x CD set £15.00
• Magic of Morris II, various artists, 2 CD set £15.00
• Both Magic of Morris CDs, 4x CD set £25.00
• Listen to the Band, V.W. Library recordings, 2x CD set £16.00
• The Mummers Play of North Curry CD & Book £10.00

• Bk: Explore Folklore by Bob Trubshaw £9.95
• Bk: Explore Green Men by Mercia MacDermott £12.95

Message from the Squire

About the Cultural Olympiad:
Creative Programmers for the regions have now been appointed and it is necessary for us to approach them with regional proposals and a timetable of events from 24^th August 2008 through to August 2012. Could those area reps, members and, or representatives of sides in the regions who are enthusiastic in the Morris being involved in these high profile events, or have ideas and contributions to make please contact me initially so that a plan can be put together for their inclusion in the Cultural Olympiad programme of events. The Creative Programmers are:

• East - Liz Hughes: http://www.livingeast.org.uk
  Tel: 01223 372683 liz.hughes@goeast.gsi.gov.uk
• East Midlands - Paul Brookes: http://www.culture-em.org.uk
  Tel: 0115 988 8449 enquiries@culture-em.org.uk
• North East - Lorna Fulton: http://www.culturenortheast.org/
  Tel: 0191 202 3785 lorna.fulton@gone.gsi.gov.uk
• North West - Deborah Lander: http://www.culturenorthwest.co.uk/
  culture.northwest@nwda.co.uk
• South East - Caterina Loriggio: http://www.culturesouthwest.org.uk
  Tel: 01483 882696 info@culturesoutheast.org.uk
• South West - Richard Crowe: http://www.culturesouthwest.org.uk
  Tel: 01392 229587 richardcrowe@southwestrda.org.uk
• Yorkshire - Tessa Gordziejko: http://www.yorkshire-culture.co.uk
  Tel: 0133 394 4579 tgordziejko@yorkshire-culture.co.uk
• West Midlands - Paul Kaynes: http://www.culturewm.org.uk
  Tel: 0121 245 0150

Regardless of whether the ARM accept or reject the changes from Area Reps to Regional Development Officers as outlined above we need to consider how we can encourage recruitment. One way might be to set up recruitment cluster groups and workshops to assist sides in the methods and techniques that have been found to work.

Steve Rowley has delivered these workshops around the country and abroad with our Morris Cousins and recently in the form of a taster session at the ARM in Leicester earlier this year. He is available to put on whole day or weekend workshop on recruitment and PR for sides in your region tailor-made to your specific needs and target age ranges.

As a practical example Green Man are about to start a recruitment campaign and this could expand to form the nucleus of a cluster group with Lichfield and Shakespeare assisted by their Regional Development Officers in the centre of the country to further their recruitment aspirations.

Jigs Workshop: Sutton Bonington: 18^th - 20^th January 2008: Cost circa £42

The Cotswold Morris Jig, a dance typically for one or two, is a valuable but frequently overlooked part of a dancers repertory. It provides an opportunity for an individual performer to show his skills, whether by way of a change of emphasis, or expansion of style, without the constraints imposed by a team of dancers. As well as frequently being used in a ceremonial role to distinguish the solo dancer, the Jig is a valuable device for the Squire of a club to present a varied and more interesting programme.

The Jigs Instructional endeavours to inspire the confidence and ability to dance Jigs by giving a good basic grounding followed by detailed instruction. The rate of progress will be largely determined by the experience of those present although it is unlikely that a beginner would benefit much from the instructional owing to the amount of detail covered and the technical and physical demands of the weekend.

It is hoped to introduce a slight change in the proceedings; we have acquired the use of an additional hall and this will enable us to run two sessions simultaneously, for the relative novice and for the experienced dancer. There will also be sessions for experienced musicians, to give them an insight into what the jig dancer requires and an opportunity to put this into practice. Please note this is only for experienced Cotswold Morris musicians and will be limited in number.

Once again this will be hosted by the Dolphin MM at Sutton Bonington. We normally aim to cater for some 30 or so dancers - neither the teachers nor the facilities will cope with more than that - and if past popularity is anything to go by itd be wise to get applications in as early as possible.

Download application form here.

The Gate to Southwell

7^th June 2008. Once again, there will be a Folk Festival held in Southwell on the weekend 6^th to 8^th June 2008, and there will be concessions for sides attending the 'Gate'. Please put this in your diaries. Further information: Email:, Dolphin Morris Men

New Chief Executive for English Folk Dance & Song Society

Katy Spicer goes to the EFDSS with extensive experience in arts management. Currently General Manager of Rambert Dance Company, Katys experience of folk music and dance started at school, and her parents organised folk music events in Shoeburyness, Essex in the late 1960s. She takes up her post on 18^th February 2008.

Longsword / Rapper Workshops.

Lamb and Flag Sword [members of the Morris Federation] will be running two workshops on Sunday January 20th 2008 at Avon Combined Services Club in Clifton, Bristol. The Longsword workshop is 11am until 1pm and the Rapper workshop is 2pm to 4pm. The workshops are 4 each or you can come to both for a bargain price of 6 (bring your own lunch). There is a bar there if you want to get a drink.
If you would like to attend please contact Lamb & Flag direct;
or Mob: 07792 386134.

MORRIS RING PUBLICATIONS

Harry Stevenson: Editor of the Morris Circular
Erin House,
59, Olivers Battery Road North,
Winchester
SO22 4JB
Mob: 07775 785271
. Tel: 01962 855911

David Thompson: Editor of The Morris Dancer
13 Lark Close,
Littleover,
DERBY,
DE23 2TE
Tel: 01332 770578
or

CONCLUSION

It has been a busy year and there are a lot of business issues dealt with in this final Newsletter of 2007. Please share it with the members of your side and let me have some feedback.

On behalf of my fellow Officers of the Morris Ring I would like to thank you for your friendship and support over the past year and wish you joy in all that you do in 2008 especially if it involves you supporting the ARM and or one of the five Morris Ring Meetings.

Bagman of the Morris Ring

Future Dates

2008

NB, the Ring Meetings application form for 2008 meetings should have been in by Dec 4^th, however, here is a copy for the hopeful!
29^th - Feb 2^nd March ARM - Hosted By Wadard MM
30^th May - 1^st June 313 75^th Anniv. Thaxted Morris Ring Meeting
4^th - 6^th July 314 Whitchurch MM 60^th Anniversary Morris Ring Meeting
11^th - 13^th July 315 Mersey MM 80^th Anniversary Morris Ring Meeting
25^th - 27^th July - 316 Long Man MM Morris Ring Meeting
5^th - 7^th Sept. 317 Dartington MM 40^th Anniversary Morris Ring Meeting

2009 THE MORRIS RINGS 75^th ANNIVERSARY

6^th - 8^th March (?) ARM Hosted By TBA
TBA April 3 orgs. Event. Hosted by Open Morris in Nottingham
29^th May - 31^st May 318 Thaxted Morris Ring Meeting
24^th - 26^th July 319 Exeter Morris Ring Meeting
21^st 23^rd - Aug 320 Men of Wight Ring Meeting
4^th - 9^th - September 321 Bathampton MM 75^th Anniversary Morris Ring Meeting

2010

5^th - 7^th March (?) ARM Hosted by TBA
4^th June ~ 6^th June Thaxted Morris Ring Meeting

2011

4^th 6^th March (?) ARM Hosted By TBA
3^rd June ~ 5^th June Thaxted Centenary Morris Ring Meeting
TBA Bristol 60^th Anniversary Morris Ring Meeting

2012

3^rd 5^th March (?) ARM Hosted by TBA
25^th - 27^th May Chipping Campden Cotswold Olympic Morris Ring Meeting
1^st June - 3^rd June Thaxted Morris Ring Meeting
27^th - 29^th July Hartley 60^thAnniversary Morris Ring Meeting

Revised Area allocations of Member & Associate Member Sides

[Draft 1: December 2007]
This is the existing allocation of member & Associate Sides. It would be helpful if you could advise the Morris Ring Bagman of potential moves should the revision be accepted at the ARM (and of any errors or omissions).

1. North West: Possibly modify to North West & North Wales

   Adlington Morris Men, Britannia Coconut Dancers, Chester City Morris Men, Colne Royal Morris Men, Horwich Prize Medal Morris Men, John O'Gaunt Morris Men, Kinnerton Morris Men, Leyland Morris Men, Manchester Morris Men, Manley Morris Men, Mersey Morris Men, Mossley Morris Men, Royal Preston Morris Dancers, Saddleworth Morris Men, Saint Bees Mummers, Southport Sword Dancers, Stockport Morris Men, Thelwall Morris Men.

2. North: Becomes Yorkshire

   Barnsley Longsword Dancers, Castleford Sword Dancers, Chapel-en-le-Frith Morris Men, Ebor Morris Men, Great Yorkshire Morris, Green Ginger Morris Men, Green Oak Morris Men, Grenoside Traditional Sword Dancers, Grimsby Morris Men, Handsworth Traditional Sword Dancers, Harthill Morris Men, Leeds Morris Men, Lincoln and Micklebarrow Morris Men, Lord Conyers Morris Men, Oakworth Village Morris Men, Spen Valley Longsword Dancers, Wath upon Dearne Morris Men, White Rose.

3. North East: No Change

   Banchory-Ternan Morris Men, Benfieldside Morris Men, Claro Sword & Morris Men, Cumberland Morris Men, Darlington Mummers, Durham Rams Sword & Morris Men, Furness Morris Men, Goathland Ploughstots, Hexham Morris Men, High Spen Blue Diamonds, Monkseaton Morris Men, Redcar Sword Dancers, Richmond-on-Swale Morris Men, Sallyport Sword Dancers, Stockton Morris Men.

4. West Midlands: Possibly modify to West Midlands & Central Wales

   Chipping Campden Morris Men, Coventry Morris Men, Coventry Mummers, Earlsdon Morris Men, Faithful City Morris Men, First Sedgeley Morris Men, Forest of Dean Morris Men, Green Mans Morris and Sword Club, Ilmington Morris Men, Jockey Morris Men, Lassington Oak Morris Men, Leominster Morris Men, Malvern Swordsmen, Shakespeare Morris Men, Silurian Border Morris Men, South Shropshire Morris Men, Welsh Border Morris Men, White Hart Morris Men.

5. North Midlands: Becomes East Midlands

   Aldbury Morris Men, Anker Morris Men, Anstey Morrismen [Everards Old Original], Bedford Morris Men, Brackley Morris Men, Dolphin Morris Men, Foresters Morris Men, Hinckley Bullockers, Leicester Morris Men, Lichfield Morris Men, Lutterworth Morris Men, Man Friday Morris Men, Moulton Morris Men, Northampton Morris Men, Packington Morris Men, Ripley Morris Men, Rose & Castle Morris Men, Rutland Morris Men, Stafford Morris Men, Towersey Morris Men, Uttoxeter Heart of Oak Morris Men, Whitchurch Morris Men, Winster Morris Men. Yelvertoft Morris Men.

   X South Midlands: Disband area and redistribute to surrounding areas as appropriate

   Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers, Adderbury Village Morris Men, Bampton (Traditional) Morris Dancers, Charlbury Morris, Crendon Morris Men, Datchet Morris Men, Etcetera Morris Men, Grand Union Morris, Greensleeves Morris Men, Headington Quarry Morris Dancers, Icknield Way Morris Men, Kennet Morris Men, King Stone Rapper, Letchworth Morris Men, Offley Morris Men, Oxford City Morris Men, Oxford University Morris Men, St Albans Morris Men, Westminster Morris Men, Woodside Morris Men, Yateley Morris Men.

6. East: No Change but some possible transfers to London

   Albion Morris Men, Beaux of London City, Belchamp St Paul Morris Men, Blackmore Morris Men, Cambridge Morris Men, Chameleonic Morris Men, Colchester Morris Men, Coton Village Morris Men, Devils Dyke Morris Men, East Suffolk Morris Men, Greenwich Morris Men, Haganeth Morris Men, Harwich Morris Men, Hoddesdon Crownsmen, Kemps Men of Norwich, Kings Morris, London Pride Morris Men, Mayflower Morris Men, Milton Morris Men, Mid Winter Mummers, Peterborough Morris Men, Royal Liberty Morris Men, Rumford Morris, Standon Morris Men, Stevenage Sword Dancers, Thameside Mummers, Thaxted Morris Men.

7. South West and Wales: Modify to South West and South Wales

   Bathampton Morris Men, Blue Anchor Morris, Bourne River Morris Men, Bovey Tracey Mummers, Bristol Morris Men, Cam Valley Morris Men, Cardiff Morris Men, Chalice Morris Men, City of Gloucester Mummers, Dartington Morris Men, Exeter Morris Men, Frome Valley Morris Men, Gloucestershire Morris Men, Isca Morris Men, Mendip Morris Men, North Curry Mummers, Plymouth Morris Men, Sweyn's Eye Morris & Sword Dancers, Tarka Morris Men, Taunton Deane Morris Men, Trigg Morris Men, Wessex Morris Men, West Somerset Morris Men, White Horse Morris Men, Wyvern Jubilee Morris Men.

8. South East: No Change but some possible transfers to London

   Ashdown Forest Morris Men, Ashdown Mummers, Blackheath Morris Men, Boyden Gate [Mummers of], Broadwood Sword & Morris Men, Buckland Shag Morris Men, Chanctonbury Ring Morris Men, Cup Hill Morris Men, East Surrey Morris Men, Ewell St Mary's Morris Men, Hartley Morris Men, King John's Morris Men, Long Man Morris Men, Martlet Sword & Morris Men, Men of Wight Morris Men, Merrie England Mummers, North Wood Morris Men, Pilgrim Morris Men, Ravensbourne Morris Men, St Nicholas-at-Wade with Sarre Hoodeners, Spring Grove Morris Men, Thames Valley Morris Men, Victory Morris Men, Wadard Morris Men, Wantsum Morris Men, Weald of Kent Morris Men, Winchester Morris Men, Woodchurch Morris Men.

9. New Area: London

No Fixed Location: North British Sword Dancers; Plymouth Reunion Morris Men

Sydney Morris Men; Vancouver Morris Men; Helier Morris Men; Silkeborg Morris Men; Helmond Morris Men; Utrecht Morris Men & Pinewoods Morris Men