Hi,

Good to see such an interest in Morris on Mudcat. Now maybe I can persuade my side - Green Fiddle Morris, Toronto to come out to the Mudcat Tavern for a Monday night dance out. We actually practice at the TRANZAC on Monday's but Rick and Heather (aka Duckboots) don't usually get there until we've finished (now I always thought they got to the TRANZAC at 10.05 because of the show but I might be wrong)

The Mainly Morris site is good to start as already pointed out. (I had to go back there to get the Green Fiddle web site which is below)

http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Alley/9093/index.html

You may be curious to go there - there is our version of the history - which is actually confusing (the history that is not our version). It is mentioned as early as 15th century. The Moorish connection is often mentioned but I don't think there is any definitive proof.

Cecil Sharpe did help revival when he met William Kimber at Headington Quarry in 1899. There is a great CD just released on William Kimber including lots of old recordings. Interestingly, a woman - Mary Neal, did much to help the revival and there are photographs of her all-women's side demonstrating Morris dancing. A rift occured about 1909, possibly about the issue of style and authenticity (I have to read the booklet more). The Morris Ring started in 1925, and Ring Sides are all male. Numerous women and mixed sides do exist, Green Fiddle is a mixed side.

We had a great time touring parts of England in 1997 and danced with several Ring sides, which was great - maybe attitudes are beginning to change. The picture of me in bbc's mudcat resource is of that tour at Stonehenge.

The style of Morris we do is Cotswold, which includes both Hanky and Stick. Border Morris is slightly different and seems to be faster and more frenzied. Each cotswold tradition is named after the village they originated. We do Bampton, Bleddington, Lichfield (has a cathedral so not really a village and Fieldtown (which is from 2 diferent villages I think). There are many others - Adderbury, Sherbourne, Headington etc.

Why do people do it - usually fertility rite stuff - May morning - dancing up the sun etc. Probably the best answer I've heard/read was when a radio person asked an old Morris dancer why (decades ago). The reply was "it's a good reason for a piss-up" or words to that effect.

Well, this is my longest posting! Trust it wasn't too boring, now were did I put my bells...

Cheers Rana