Forum Topic

Morris Dancing

HelloIn a bid to keep fit I was thinking of joining a Morris dance side, but so far have found none in Ealing. Are there any Morris dancers in Ealing? More generally, is there a history of Morris dancing this side of the Cotswolds?I would also be interested to hear views on the advantages and disadvantages of Morris dancing. Also, are there any legal issues I would need to consider before starting? And how much money would it cost to get the necessary gear (sticks, bells, hats, trousers, make up, etc.)? Are there any Morris dance outlets in Ealing?Many thanks for your advice.

Angus Peterson ● 6737d9 Comments

I wasn't going to say anything, but...... to my knowledge there are no Morris Dancing groups in Ealing. The missionaries converted all the tribes around here to Christianity eons ago.Harrow seems to have an active group called the Merrydowners. They may be performing in Harrow or Pinner this week.Whether their sticks, bells, etc are made from recycled bus stops I do not know.

Alan Brainsby ● 6737d

Some fairly local links here.Morris Dancers

Peter Wright ● 6737d

I can never understand why Morris dancing is so often treated as a joke when it always seems to involve beer.I find the idea quite appealing.I hope you find a group to join - let us know!

Jane Salisbury ● 6736d

I'm amazed at the number of Morris dancing groups around now.I would have thought it would have become schuhen platting when BMW took over...

Alan Brainsby ● 6736d

Thanks for the advice everyone. I recall a holiday in Scarborough (I do like to visit glamorous locations) which coincided with a Morris dance festival. Based on the amount of real ale I observed being consumed, I was amazed that there weren't more serious injuries, what with all the waving of sticks made of recycled bus stops and what not. It's a fascinating subject.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_dancing

Angus Peterson ● 6736d

I thought it was the only thing you should never try apart from incest

Sara Nathan ● 6735d

Sarah, surely Morris Dancing is not so far away from the male bonding sometimes seen at Jewish weddings, you know,:yadada dadda da, yadda da, da dadda ya......etc?Cannot comment on the incest!

Iain Muir ● 6735d

Miles away - no sticks and bells there and it's dancing to celebrate, not for its own sake.Daft discussion really.Can't even remember who made the incest and morris or folk-dancing comment. But I have looked it up...and it wasArnold Bax, quoting 'a sympathetic Scot' in the book Farewell My Youth (1943). The sympathetic Scot in question was the composer and conductor Guy Warrack.

Sara Nathan ● 6731d

There has been Morris Dancing in Kew Gardens these last three days.

Peter Wright ● 6723d