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The Newsletter No. 44 March 2006

Hello,

The administrative stuff to start with: Those who are reading the snail-mail version of this Newsletter will perceive that it is now A5 rather than A4. 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. As I explained at the ARM we are no-longer publishing 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but more importantly the number of changes that get reported week by week mean that it is almost useless as it is out-of-date as soon as it is printed.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 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:

ARM 3rd - 5th March 2006. Hosted by Chalice Morris Men

The full Minutes of this meeting have circulated with the electronic version of this Newsletter. These are important highlights:

Election Results

Brian Tasker (Hartley MM & Castleford Longsword) 37 votes
Paul Reece (Thaxted MM) 54 votes

Election / Ratification of Area Representatives.

The following were elected/re-confirmed: Until
Area Rep.: West Midlands Kevin Downham Ilmington 2008
Area Rep.: North Stuart Bater Harthill 2009
Area Rep.: North Midlands David Thompson Ripley 2009
Rep.: South Midlands Roger Comley Letchworth 2009

Status of Associate Clubs

The Treasurer raised this question What is the difference between a FULL MEMBER of the Morris Ring and an ASSOCIATE? as part of his Report because of issues raised by his review of Morris Ring expenditure and Morris Ring Publications.

Our (the incumbent Ring Officers) understanding that historically a Morris side could simply apply to become a Morris Ring ASSOCIATE almost as an apprenticeship and as a precursor to applying for full membership when the time was right. This time might be a long time coming for some sides as they either decided that they were happy on the fringes or applied to join an alternative organisation. Those who want full membership can only achieved it subject to the will and wishes of the existing members at an ARM i.e. sponsored by an existing member side and their Area Rep. and visited by the Ring Squire of the time (or his representative). In other words there are checks upon their suitability for membership and a vote taken.

Thus ASSOCIATE as a first level of membership served well to integrate newly associated sides into our various practices along with our services: mailings, publications and the now the increasingly important public liability insurance.

Financially the subscription is the same for both Members and Associates the difference is in the number of publications routinely received. This is not part of but needs to be read in conjunction with the Constitution of the Morris Ring (as published in the current Ring Directory Pages 10-12)

MEMBER :

  1. £45 Standard subscription level is inclusive of:
    1. Public liability insurance with an indemnity of £10,000,000.
    2. Performing Rights Society (P.R.S.) cover.
    3. 3 x copies of each periodical Morris Circular publication.
    4. 1 x copy of the periodical Morris Ring Bagmans newsletter.
    5. 1 x copy of the Morris Ring Directory (under review).
    6. 1 x copy of the annual Morris Dancer journal (under review).
    7. The right to attend the Annual Representatives Meeting, submit motions & propositions, discuss and vote on all appropriate matters.
    8. Attend and participate in various Morris Ring meetings/instructionals throughout the year.
    9. Listing in the Morris Ring Directory (e) and on the website
    10. The camaraderie of your fellow Morris Ring members, both full and associate.
  2. The option of taking up the Personal Accident Insurance cover.

ASSOCIATE:

  1. £35 Standard subscription level is inclusive of:
    1. Public liability insurance with an indemnity of £10,000,000.
    2. Performing Rights Society (P.R.S.) cover.
    3. 1 x copies of each periodical Morris Circular publication.
    4. 1 x copy of the periodical Morris Ring Bagmans newsletter.
    5. 1 x copy of the Morris Ring Directory (under review).
    6. 1 x copy of the annual Morris Dancer journal (under review).
    7. The right to attend the Annual Representatives Meeting and participate in debates but not to submit motions or vote.
    8. Attend and participate in various Morris Ring meetings/instructionals throughout the year.
    9. Listing in the Morris Ring Directory (e) and on the website
    10. The camaraderie of your fellow Morris Ring members, both full and associate.
  2. The option of taking up the Personal Accident Insurance cover.

PUBLICATION ONLY:

[This will simplify the administration of what has happened for a long time where individuals have subscribed for the various publications.]
  1. Standard subscription (Yet to be fixed)
       c. 1 x copy of each periodical Morris Circular publication.
       d. 1 x copy of the periodical Morris Ring Bagmans newsletter.
       e. 1 x copy of the annual Morris Dancer journal (under review).

TREASURERS (post-ARM) RAMBLINGS.

My grateful thanks to Chalice Morris Men for all their labours resulting in a fruitful ARM in March. The Treasurers report went on for longer than intended (doesnt it always), but I had an awful lot of ground to cover. I have no intention of going into all the points that were pondered during my report, just the important issues that affect you.

The ARM at Harthill saw the introduction of Treasurers reforms Phase I principally a review of the Morris Ring finances and a streamlining of the processes which led to the restructuring of the Morris Rings banking and publications procedures. Both of these theses are now suitably transformed and roaring ahead.

At this years ARM I explained the Treasurers Reforms Phase II. This phase is all about what it costs to run the Morris Ring: our main expense being those incurred by Morris Ring Officers - in many cases these were Publication / post expenses - not just travel and attendances. At the meeting, I made it perfectly clear that it was the time to review all expenditure.

Elected Officers attending individual ales, feasts, days and /or weekends of dance used to be financed by the host club. Things have now evolved so that transport costs have imperceptibly transferred to the Morris Ring accounts and now represent a considerable portion of our annual expenditure.

With effect from the 2006 ARM, The Morris Ring elected officers expenses for attending events such as individual sides ales, feasts, practices, days and/or weekends of dance etc, etc (both at home and abroad) will be by arrangement between the hosting Morris side and the individual invited officer. This will serve to facilitate our return to Officers expenses being for core Morris Ring events such as registered Morris Ring meetings etc. We have all got to remain mindful of the fact that Morris, at all levels, is a hobby and not a full time job.

I would like to thank Winchester Morris Men and Horwich Prize Medal for already pre-empting this modification, when they invited the Squire of the Morris Ring to their respective events. Thanks lads. I anticipate that, as a result of these recent reforms, I will not have cause to increase subscriptions in the immediate future. Much depends on seeing how things go.

As viewed at the ARM, The Morris Shop is flourishing as ever. We have recently acquired the book Morris Dancers & Rose Queens by Johnny Haslett. (£35.00) This is a definitive work about the sociology of Lancashire at the end of the 19th century. The author has put together a brilliant anthology, providing fresh insights into life in late Victorian Lancashire. Here we have Morris dancing teams that travelled distances to perform in towns beyond the county limits, teams that couldnt afford to move about and therefore stayed nearer home. Morris Dancers who were influenced by teams that travelled from other towns. This book is a unique and valuable source of reference. Carriage: Please add £7.16 (first class). Best to collect from The Morris Shop when out and about!

THE BELLS:

Unfortunately, we have recently had to increase the price of the brassed bells. Our current stock level will be erratic over the next few months due to staffing changes with our suppliers. It is hoped that will soon be able to offer nickle-platted bells for those that require them. I am still working on this.

Current prices:
Small 7/8" per 100
£30.00
Small(ish) 1" per 100
£34.00
Medium 1 & 1/8" per 100
£38.00
Large 1 & 1/4" per 100
£55.00

Other recent additions the Morris Shop include:

CD AS LUCK WILL HAVE IT ~ (£10.00) A musical hour in the company of the Mendip Morris Men

CD NEXT FOOT UP ~ (£10.00) Ravensbourne Morris Men performing their music and songs.

A SHORT HISTORY OF THE GREEN MANS MORRIS & SWORD CLUB (£5.00) By Colin Spencer

This is as comprehensive as it can possibly get when a member of a Morris side decides to record its history. Beautifully presented in the form of a spiral bound A4 (portrait) publication. Colin has kindly donated all proceeds to the Morris Ring. Every Morris side should have a Colin Spencer.

WILL IT BE FINE Do you think? ~ (£10.00) Book and Video package produced by Leyland Morris Men. The Video demonstrates Leyland MM doing what they do best. This superb North West promo package is available from Mike Bailey Tel: 01772 337999 or Email: (Price inc P & P)

May I take this opportunity to remind you all that YOU are my eyes and ears. I am forever on the lookout for anything Morris but in particular I am keen to seek out more Sword, Rapper, North West and Mumming play merchandise. If it is out there and you see it, please tell me and I will do the rest.

Best wishes to all for a cracking summer dancing season and I hope to see you out there.

New email address: John Maher has been now sorted out my problems with the email address: Treasurer@TheMorrisRing.org. This has been deleted and is no longer in use. He has also edited sales@TheMorrisRing.org, this now reads as RingSales@TheMorrisRing.org

Steve Adamson BFB, Treasurer.

PERSONNEL NEWS

Sidney Alfred Nibs Matthews MBE TD

Family and friends from the Folk and Morris world gathered at Kensal Green Crematorium on Friday 24th March to mark the passing of Nibs Matthews on 3rd March 2006, aged 85.

At the ARM Feast Barry Care proposed a special toast to Nibs who had died two days before. Barry remarked that when the Morris Ring Photographic Archive was being sent up, Nibs had given the Ring free range of the work in the Vaughan Williams Library, and that if it had not been for Nibs, the Ring wouldnt have the Archive now. Barry also recollected the occasion when many men gathered to celebrate Douglas Kennedys 90th birthday at his home and Nibs had danced a very graceful jig, immaculately performed. He said that Nibs was a lovely man, and though rather a private person, he was always encouraging and we should be very grateful for his services to the Folk and Morris world.

Derek Schofield wrote a wonderful obituary to Nibs that was published in the Times, and eventually in The Guardian, and Keith Francis has written a full report of the funeral for the next edition of the Circular. I am certain that Harry would welcome any other tributes and personal reminiscences of Nibs and his long association with the Morris Ring.

There will be A celebration of the Life of Nibs Matthews - a programme of dance music and song - held at Cecil Sharp House on Sunday 17th September. More details as they become available.

Several people who knew Nibs and who are unable to attend the funeral enquired about a virtual book of condolence. A wonderful idea - for Nibs had so many friends and touched the lives of so many people all over the world. A virtual book of condolence Matthews is now available on line.
Book of Condolences for Nibs Matthews MBE
Please leave your condolences and memories of Nibs in this public guest book.
http://www.freeguestbookhost.com/book.php?page=3&bookid=Condolences

It is proposed that we (EFDSS & Ring) monitor the response and if appropriate print off the entries and paste them into a 'real' book for future reference.

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 and dancing of a similar nature (to use the wording in the Act) with or without accompanying unamplified acoustic music are exempt and therefore requires no licence.

You still need permission to dance on private land and this includes many apparently public areas such as shopping centres.

Mumming is NOT included so will need a Tempory Entertainment Licence to perform unless the venue is already licensed for entertainment

Post-dancing music sessions are NOT exempt unless the venue has a licence for live entertainment.

“Next Foot Up” Long Distance Morris Dance

by Bens Dad, E-mail: or Tel: 01883 343 773

Malc Ward (Ravensbourne)

North British invade Belgium

"North British spent Easter dancing in Belgium. We invited In de Kring, a French sword side from Dunkirk, to dance with us on Easter Saturday. They perform a carefully crafted eight man dance which draws on elements of Belgian sword dance and French stepping. A particular highlight of the weekend was the Sunday evening when we danced rapper in a bar in Nieuwpoort. The landlady was so impressed that not only did she buy us a beer but also asked for more. We decided to go outside and dance Papa Stour on the patio. She rang the bar over the road and got their customers to come and watch as well. When we arrived at that bar to dance rapper they had already cleared an area inside for us to dance!"

Brian Tasker

Simon Matthews is raising money for the Katharine House Hospice. Simon has a website briefly explaining what he is doing and you find that on http://www.justgiving.com/monkeymcdougal. You can sponsor him via his website or in person, you just have to invite him to come and dance in your area.
E-Mail:

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 E-mail: . Website: www.hobbyhorsefestival.co.uk

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

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:

Help? Are you a wiz with a video?

Dave Brewster is acting organiser for a foreign trip that Chanctonbury Ring MM are proposing to undertake this autumn. In order to promote the country and tourism the festival organisers would like the side to be accompanied by a suitable journalist video man. Could this person be you or someone you know? Contact Dave for further information...

Future Ring Meetings

We are always looking for sides to 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.
2007

2nd - 4th March ARM Hosted By Leicester Morrismen
14th April '3 Orgs. Event. Birmingham
1st - 3rd June 309 Thaxted Ring Meeting
29th June 1st - July 310 Ripley 25th Anniv. Ring Meeting
20th - 22nd July 311 Stafford 50th Anniv. Ring Meeting
31st Aug - 2nd Sept. 312 Tonbridge Ring Meeting Tba
2008
7th - 9th March ARM - Hosted By Wadard MM
Tba 313 Thaxted Ring Meeting
11th - 13th July 314 Mersey MM 90th Anniversary Ring Meeting
Tba 315 Whitchurch MM 60th Anniversary Ring Meeting
5th - 7th Sept. 316 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 Anniversary Ring Meeting
2012
3rd - 5th March (?)ARM Hosted by Tba
TbaThaxted Ring Meeting
TbaHartley 60th Anniv. Ring Meeting

Instructionals

First a huge Thank You to Stafford Morrismen for their Rapper Instructional held 17th - 19th March, with the assistance of tutors Brian Padgett and Paul Wesson from Stockton Blue and Gold, the rapper arm of the Stockton Morris Men. A well-organised, enjoyable and productive event! There will be a full report of the Weekend from Brian Tasker in the Circular

To mix a few quotations like metaphors: There are a few voices crying in the wilderness but their requests are falling on stony ground. As I reported in Newsletter No. 42 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 the Morris Ring organise this or that instructional?” The simple fact is that we can't! 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 organisation 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.

Fools and Beasts (hosted by Letchworth) Dates confirmed as 27th - 29th October at Old Walden, nr Biggleswade.

DERT

Ring interest this year was limited to Sallyport and Stevenage. Sallyport Sword won the premier class (for the second year running) and Stevenage were 5th in the open class. [Stevenage scored 68.5] Sallyport danced Newbiggin and Winlaton and included some new members in their sets. The top three in each class were:
Premier:Open:
Sallyport 89Thrales 78.6
Newcastle Kingsmen 86.9Triskele 76.9
Stone Monkey 81Mabel Gubbins 71.1

Paul Davenport of EFDSS presented Phil Heaton and Aubrey O'Brien with their gold badges for services to rapper, on the Sunday lunchtime.

Brian Tasker

'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 www.dolphin-morris.co.uk, It is not too late to get involved email Chris on gate@dolphin-morris.co.uk for more details.

Chris Gigg Dolphin MM

Pipe and Tabor Festival

The International Pipe and Tabor Festival 14th -16th July in York City Centre. Stephen Rowley [steve@ARTENSION.COM]

THE KING'S MORRIS

The March 2006 edition of the HERITAGE  magazine carries a short article about Morris dancing, covering its history as well as the current scene. The accompanying photographs show The King's Morris (and their guests Peterborough Morris) on May Day some 3-4 years ago, during their annual presentation of The King's Lynn May Garland; and also Kemp's Men Of Norwich having a music session outside the Ostrich Inn at the nearby village of Castle Acre. It's a good piece of publicity for the Morris.

David Jackson

Padderborn, Germany Request.

This is an urgent request for a morris team to do a festival in Padderborn, Germany on Friday to Sunday 23rd - 25th June 2006 (you'd need to fly out on the evening of Thursday 22nd - 8:35pm from Stansted (direct to Padderborn), fly back on Sunday late afternoon).
The Outside Capering Crew is unable to do this, as one member is already committed to his other side and another has just had a family invite to Buckingham Palace.
The event is a Town Festival - every year Padderborn has a different national theme and this year it's English (last year was Swedish). They want three or four 30 min performance slots per day (this can of course include traditional music to pad things out).

Contact: Paul at BritEnt +49 5251 691 8810

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

On English Ground

In a feast for the eyes, ears and imagination, the rich music of The English Acoustic Collective sets the scene for the startling new choreography and traditional steps of Morris Offspring. Reviews were very positive. Information about future plans can be found on www.englishacousticcollective.org.uk

Laurel Swift

Sticks:

A Leicestershire coppicing worker is expanding his range of Hazel coppice products to include the supply of Morris sticks. Cost: from £1.50 each (70cm long 3cm diameter) and discounts are available for quantities over 20 in one order. Ben Chester. Email: trad_craftsman@hotmail.com Mobile: 07947 363976
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 this years revised format but future editions in whatever format will only include those that you the users confirm as still existing and providing a good service.

English 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

Links with the other Morris Organisations plus the EFDSS

Paul Reece and I attended a Joint Meeting in March. Agenda items included

  • Bi-annual Joint Show: Birmingham 14th April 2007
  • Liverpool City of Culture
  • Olympics 2012
  • Performing Rights Society
  • Morris Futures
  • Fall-out from PEL
  • Insurance Issues
  • Child Protection Policies
  • Stewarding:
  • Stewards need to be trained & licensed (3 days training costing approx £s;250 each)
  • Marshalls need no training but MUST NOT BE REMUNERATED not even a free ticket or a couple of pints
  • 1847 Town Police Clauses Act. This obscure legislation allows a Local Council to close a road. It should cost you nothing unless a police presence is required. (See Stewards & Marshalls above.)

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.
I hope that you all have an enjoyable, successful Dancing Season and please dont forget that the Ring Archivists likes to receive copies of your programmes, photographs taken, media coverage, etc..
Charlie Corcoran
Bagman of The Morris Ring

Remember: Unless you pass on the content of this Newsletter to the Men in your Side, the information stops with you.