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The Newsletter No. 43 ARM Special 2006

This is to introduce the revised format of the snail-mail version of the Newsletter. You will perceive that it is now A5 rather than A4 and I apologise if this upsets your filing system but it is simply to save the Morris Ring money (your money!) when the new postage charges come into force in the Autumn when letters are charged on size as well as weight.

Ring Handbook & Ring Directory. I am proposing that we no-longer publish hard copies of the Ring Directory. This is due in part to the increasing costs of printing and especially postage but more importantly the number of changes that get reported week by week mean that it is almost useless as it is out-of-date as soon as it is printed. An electronic version is already available as an Excel Spreadsheet upon request but even this is only as up-to-date as the information with which I am provided please let me know when your side changes Bagman or if your Bagman moves house, or email address or phone number

The other information traditionally included in the Ring Directory is now in the Ring Handbook. This includes the Constitution of the Morris Ring, lists of Member and Associate Clubs, past Officers, etc. and initially all of the other information previously contained in the Ring Directory with the exception of contact details. Much of this other information is either obsolete (see For Sale below) or more usefully available from our Web site. It will also require less frequent up-dating.

Repeats / reminders:

A guide to Morris dance resources on the Web. All known Morris-related web sites http://www.sapphireswan.com/dance/links/morris.htm

Have you checked your Sidefinder entry? http://www.morrisdancing.org/finder/sfcgi.html

The Black Book Tunes. The Black Book tunes are ALL on our web site in abc format, plus many more. Thanks to John Maher and Vaughan Hully. http://www.themorrisring.org/More/Tunes/index.html

Other Issues / Topics / News

The Licensing Act 2003

There are still lots of people asking questions and a great deal of confusion as Summer programmes are planned. Please re-read the information in Newsletter 42 and let Ring Officers know of any specific problems so that we, along with the other Morris Organisations, can monitor the true implications of this rather odd legislation.

Remember: Licensing Authorities have little or no discretion over the Act's requirements - don't embarrass them by asking them to exercise their non-existent discretion but morris dancing with or without accompanying unamplified music required no licence.

"Next Foot Up" Long Distance Morris Dance

Bens Dad, Roger Dauncey on 01883-343773 or e-mail:
Malc Ward (Ravensbourne)

: Also I have a website briefly explaining what I am doing and you find that on http://www.justgiving.com/monkeymcdougal. You can sponsor me via my website or you can sponsor me in person, youll just have to invite me to your area to come and dance.

Fools and Animals wanted. The annual gathering of mock-animals at Banbury Hobby Horse Festival is being extended this summer to include morris fools. It takes place on the weekend of June 30th to July 2nd .

Further information from Simon Pipe on 01295 812368 or email: .: http://www.hobbyhorsefestival.co.uk

Treasurers (ARM) Ramblings

Its that time of year again: Annual audit, counting the Morris Shop stock and pre ARM preparations. Unfortunately, we were unable to circulate the Treasurers report with the Bagmans January newsletter. We have had to make do with our second best option of circulating it electronically. Therefore, all is not lost. Copies are also available at the ARM.

I will endeavour to deliverer the treasurers verbal report in summary form to prevent those in attendance from losing the will to live as the sun is seen setting through the halls West window. Almost everything we do is having to undergo a monumental reformation - much of this is long overdue and can only serve to allow the Morris Ring to continue moving forwards.

THE MORRIS SHOP:

I am very pleased to announce that the new Trust Me (Im a Morris Dancer) T-Shirts are proving very popular at only 6.50 each (XL, L, M & S). These can be viewed on Morris Ring web site sales page. Further more, I still have a few of the Morris Ring Meetings 2005 tours T-shirts at only 5 each (XL & L).

Now that the Christmas rush is over with, we have recently re-stocked with the Pewter Tankards:

1 pint, pewter with brass lid, handle and rim base, now 38

1 ½ pint, pewter tankard, now 40

½ pint, lidded pewter tankard, now 25

The Anglo Concertina Music of William Kimber (Bk 16) by Dan Worall is the latest publication to come out of EFDSS. This is as comprehensive as it can get on the life and music of William Kimber. A beautifully presented A4 (portrait) spiral bound book which is a MUST for all concertina players of any standard. {See also the new enhanced CD of Kimber tunes (14)}

The Magic of Morris (CD 15) has received numerous positive reviews in various publications up and down the country including Folk Roots and The Living Tradition. My grateful thanks to all those that supported this venture by adding it to their collection. The good news is that More Magic of Morris is in the pipe line as this newsletter is going to press. If all goes to schedule, the target release date is 01.05.06.

History and the Morris Dance by John Cutting (Bk 12.50) Where did Morris come from, and what was it for? After thirty years of dancing, teaching, and research, John Cutting attempts to answer these questions. This is proving so popular that I am currently waiting on my forth order from the distributors.

The year is now pressing on and I still have a few of the 2006 Calendar of Traditional Customs produced by Hedingham Fair. Was 6.50, now only 5.00 (cost price, have you ever seen a Treasurer cry). Colourful, unique and very attractive calendar illustrated by Karen Cater. Many of the major folk festivals and events listed.

The Magic Spring by Richard Lewis (Bk 14.99) Starting with the conviction that England must have a folklore as compelling, as exotic and as beautiful as that of other places, Lewis embarks on a search for traditional roots that takes him well off the beaten track from the humble folk clubs of the fenlands.

I was delighted to hear from Stafford Morris Men who are hosting their Rapper Instructional 17-19th March. Alan Dandy (event Bgm) thought it would be a good idea to have some Rapper related merchandise on hand. Unfortunately, I had to disappoint him. Why? Because I do not know of any that is currently available. If you know different, please let me know. I am also on the look out for more North West, Welsh Border, Longsword, Molly and Mumming material. You are my eyes and ears.

The bad news is that we are going to experience two increases in postal costs this year, April and August. The later is going to prove the most costly with the introduction of P.I.P. (Pricing In Proportion). This is going to prove to be an interesting transition. As well as our mail order services, The Morris Shop can be seen at all three Morris Ring Meetings (Thaxted, Greensleeves & Mendip) plus:

11th March Lichfield Morris Mens Ale (Saturday eve).

27th Aug Saddleworth Rush Cart (Sunday).

8-10th Sept Bromyard Folk Festival (Fri, Sat & Sunday).

11th Sept Abbots Bromley Horn Dance (Monday).

Steve Adamson BFB, Treasurer.

ARCHIVE NEWS

Photos

Duncan Broomhead has taken over the Morris Ring Photo Archive - please inundate him with photographs to add to the archive.

Past Ring Meetings reminder.

John Maher, John Frearson & Chris Metherell are trying to compile a definitive list of all the 305 (or so) Ring Meetings to date

Visit http://www.themorrisring.org/Archive/previous_rings.html and inform John Maher of any errors.

RING PUBLICATIONS. Articles, photo's etc. to

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

Sean Goddard : Editor of the Morris Dancer.
142, Hollingbury Road,
Brighton, BN1 7JD
Tel: 01273 559107
email:

Future Ring Meetings

We are always looking for sides to host ARMs and organise future Ring Meetings provisionally booked sides and dates are listed below. If your side might be interested in hosting a Ring Meeting to mark an anniversary or simply for the hell of it I can let you have a set of guidelines so that you have some idea of what you are letting yourself in for!

Instructionals

To mix a few quotations like metaphors: There are a few voices crying in the wilderness but their requests are falling on stony ground. Various people have suggested that this or that might be a good idea, or that their side might do this or that, but nothing firm enough to act upon.

I have received a half offer / half request to organize and / or attend

a Longsword Instructional in the South West.

a forman (& other officers?) ideas / method swap event (perhaps the word instructional is misleading here).

Why dont you organise thisor that instructional? The simple fact is that we cant! We will do everything in our power to help and encourage you but we are only the figurehead(s) representing you the member sides. If you have an idea for an instructional we can provide notes of guidance (available from the Ring Bagman) and might be able to put you in touch with appropriate tutors but we are unable to undertake the actual organization of the event. We need individual or groups of sides to do that on behalf of the wider membership.

There are lots of very experienced dancers / teachers in the various Ring sides who would be more than willing to come along to your side or group of sides to teach their take on any tradition. Instructionals are about sowing the seeds, laying the foundations upon which your own club can build. They are not about one way being right or better than another.

Longsword Workshop, Kelham Island, Sheffield April 2nd 2006

Arranged and run by a combination of the Sword Dance Union, The Federation and some Ring members...

Further information from PHIL HEATON. email:

Pipe and Tabor Festival

The International Pipe and Tabor Festival 14th -16th July in York City Centre. Stephen Rowley email:

ICONS:Have you voted for Morris Dancing? http://www.icons.org.uk/nom/nominations/morris-dancing
Terry Heaslip (Hartley MM)

Bagpipes. I thought I'd bring to your attention a website concerning the revival of making and playing traditional English bagpipes. The site includes the Leicestershire Smallpipe. http://www.goodbagpipes.co.uk/gallery.htm
Mike.

'Gate to Southwell' Saturday 10th June 2006

This is now an annual event from hundreds of years ago, revived by Dolphin in 1981 and every year since! The 'Gate' consists of approx 200 dancers retracing the route of the annual pilgrimage from Nottingham to Southwell. More details are on the Dolphin Web site http://www.dolphin-morris.co.uk, It is not too late to get involved, for more info, email: Dolphin MM

On English Ground. This show is a window into the world of enigmatic sounds and shapes of haunting elegance that is Englands often little known Morris Dance heritage. This rollercoaster ride through a kaleidoscope of colour and song promises to be an exhilarating show for Morris addicts and the completely unconverted alike. Dates from Thursday 30th March - The Sage, Gateshead to Sunday 9th April Farnham Maltings.

Full information from http://www.englishacousticcollective.org.uk Laurel Swift

For Sale: The traditional Ring Directory contained a quantity of supposedly useful addresses. These included several suppliers of assorted Morris goods. Unfortunately I have no way of knowing whether these individuals or companies offered a good service, provided decent goods or even that they still exist. I have included them, for the time being, in the Morris Ring Directory.

CONCLUSION

Thanks again to those sides who have taken up my offer to use this newsletter as a means of communicating with other sides in the Morris Ring. I cannot pass on News if I dont receive any.
Charlie Corcoran
Bagman
The Morris Ring

2006

ARM - 3rd- 5th March Hosted by CHALICE MORRIS MEN

2nd - 4th June ..... THAXTED RING MEETING

14th - 16th July .... GREENSLEEVES RING MEETING

21ST - 23RD July .... MENDIP 50th ANNIV. RING MEETING

2007

2nd - 4th March ARM Hosted By TBA

14th April 3 ORGS. EVENT. BIRMINGHAM

TBA THAXTED RING MEETING

29th June 1st July RIPLEY 25th ANNIV. RING MEETING

21st 23rd July STAFFORD 50th ANNIV. RING MEETING

31st Aug 2nd Sept. TONBRIDGE RING MEETING

2008

7th 9th March ARM - Hosted By TBA

TBA ... THAXTED RING MEETING

11th -13th July MERSEY 90th ANNIVSARY RING MEETING

TBA .. WHITCHURCH 60th ANNIV. RING MEETING

5th 7th Sept. DARTINGTON MM RING MEETING

2009 THE MORRIS RINGS 75th ANNIVERSARY

6th 8th March ARM Hosted by TBA

TBA... THAXTED RING MEETING

TBA ... HARTHILL RING MEETING

TBA EXETER RING MEETING

2010

5th 7th March ARM Hosted by TBA ...

TBA THAXTED RING MEETING

2011

4th 6th March ARM Hosted by TBA

TBA ... THAXTED CENTENARY RING MEETING

TBA ... BRISTOL 60th ANNIV. RING MEETING

2012

3rd 5th March ARM Hosted by TBA

TBA ... THAXTED RING MEETING

TBA ... HARTLEY 60th ANNIV. RING MEETING