The bunch of grandads waving their hankies about were once young and vigorous and they communicated their joy at the dancing to the audience in the same way as today's Border Morris.

I suspect Les is referring to the so-called "pagan" origins of Border Morris. We all know that that is a load of rubbish, but if people want to use it as an advertising gimmick, then who's to stop them.

Border Morris appeals because it is easy to learn and noisy to perform. Cotswold Morris requires a longer apprenticeship and for a variety of reasons it is not getting enough youngsters to join.

Wait 40 years and see what people say about aging Border Morris dancers, trying to relive their youth!

(By the way, I play for a Border side and a Cotswold side, with equal pleasure and satisfaction.)

Tradsinger