It is regretted but the Health and Safety have been checking out the Morris Dancing and come up with the following requirements for all morris dancing whether it be In Private (the best place for 'em) or in Public (Heaven forfend):-

All dancers to wear ear-defenders (The bells made me deaf you know )and hard hats (their skulls aren't thick enough).

High Vis Vests will replace baldricks and tatters HSE think the teams need to be more clearly seen (I can't imagine why -unless it's for shotgun toting husbands and fathers of female associate)Long sword dancers are to wear anti-stab vests in addition.

Sticks are to made of rubber and padded gloves will be worn as will Knee,Shin and elbow pads. Where used Hankies are to be in Dayglo colours. And in all circumstances steel toe-capped boots are to worn (Molly Dancers should not have trouble with this)

HSE have also ruled on Morris musicians! All drums and tabors are to be re-tuned using Stanley knives and Melodians and other squeezy things are to be fitted with silencers unless they are played underwater.

Does the committee think this to be a progessive course of action?

Dave