Looking for moris bell pads!

Subject: BS: Looking for moris bell pads!
From: GUEST,Desdemona
Date: 25 Jan 04 - 04:17 PM

I have recently taken up morris dancing, and need to get some bell pads. It should be clearly stated that I am not in the least "crafty", and so would prefer not to purchase the bells & make them myself. I've written to Hobgoblin but had no luck; any advice??

Thanks,

D.

Subject: RE: Looking for moris bell pads!
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Jan 04 - 12:04 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Looking for moris bell pads!
From: open mike
Date: 26 Jan 04 - 12:42 AM

how about sheep skin?
http://www.morrisdancing.org/
http://www.themorrisring.org/
in the morris ring site there is a
window that pops up with shop info
with this kisted:
th

BELL PADS
With chrome buckle, made from good quality leather, and available to order. All purchases can be hard stamped with numbers or initials for personal identification. Most colours can be supplied at the same price. We also make leather belts up to 60" waist size.
6 x 1/2" wide strands on 5/8" x 20". Buckled leg strap @ £10.50 per pair.
5 x 1 1/4" wide strands on 1" x 20". Buckled leg strap @ £13.50 per pair.
Arnold Enterprises, c/o Mr Jeff Arnold, PO Box 1774, Penkridge, Stafford, ST19 5SG. Tel [phone] E-mail: [e-mail]

BELLS (BRASSED ONLY)
Small 7/8" per 100 £25.00
Small(ish) 1" per 100 £27.00
Medium 1 & 1/8" per 100 £33.00
Large 1 & 3/8" per 100 £37.00
XLarge 2 & 1/2" each £1.50

Subject: RE: Looking for moris bell pads!
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 26 Jan 04 - 04:42 AM

Most moris sides have a specific pattern for their bell pads, and many have a tool for punching leather etc, bells etc. You only have to cut out the required shape of leather and punch the holes for the bells and elastic/ties. The holes for the bells should be just large enough for the ring on the back to push through, the bells can then be secured by passing a piece of leather thong or a bootlace through them from the back. The advantage of attaching the bells this way is that it's easy to do running repairs without a needle and thread.

Where do the rest of your side get their bells from anyway ? If you really don't want to make your own, offer to pay another member to make you a set.

Subject: RE: Looking for moris bell pads!
From: LesB
Date: 26 Jan 04 - 01:45 PM

Take up sword dancing! We don't have these problems.

Les

Subject: RE: Looking for moris bell pads!
From: GUEST,Desdemona
Date: 26 Jan 04 - 04:55 PM

Thanks all; I'll check out Mr Jeff Arnold tout de suite!

The rest of my team all made their own, being of an altogether more patient temperament than meself...as to sword dancing, that may well lie within the seeds of time, but at this point I'm still learning to control my hankies!!!

D.

Subject: RE: Looking for moris bell pads!
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 27 Jan 04 - 03:24 PM

The strapping of Morris Bell Pads to the legs of dancers was a Cotswold tradition outlawed as part of the Factories Act. Morris went on to call for Dance Bands around Stroud.

Subject: RE: Looking for moris bell pads!
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Jan 04 - 04:23 PM

How do you get along in life if you can't even control your hankies? Do they go on a murderous rampage or just create havoc all over the place?

Subject: RE: Looking for moris bell pads!
From: GUEST,Desdemona
Date: 27 Jan 04 - 04:29 PM

Bwahahaha!

Indeed; after every practice I wrestle them manfully to the ground, stuff them into a strongbox (with the help of several burly gentlemen, one of whom sits on said box to prevent their bursting forth in that terrifying rage so particular to hankies), turn the key & collapse in exhaustion til the next week!

I *do* hope the bells will be more cooperative.

D.

Subject: RE: Looking for moris bell pads!
From: Crane Driver
Date: 27 Jan 04 - 05:03 PM

I wouldn't bank on it. Bells can be savage when aroused. Friend of mine had a hip dislocated by a set of morris bells - the strap got inexplicably tangled with the underside of a bar table, and when he slid off his stool .....

Andrew

Subject: RE: Looking for moris bell pads!
From: GUEST,Desdemona
Date: 27 Jan 04 - 05:11 PM

Diabolical.

Small wonder so many people get that look of terror at the very mention of morris dancing!

D.

Subject: RE: Looking for moris bell pads!
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 27 Jan 04 - 05:11 PM

As the devil defying hankies off fatility

Are stuffed into the strongbox of contraception

The brazen bells of seduction

Are silenced by the Factories act (1903)

Subject: RE: Looking for moris bell pads!
From: GUEST,Glyn Owen
Date: 27 Jan 04 - 07:00 PM

Hi.
I got my pads done by the Leather shop in St Nicholas market, Bristol.
He copied my old Bristol morris pads very successfully and at a cheap price.

Subject: RE: Looking for moris bell pads!
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 27 Jan 04 - 07:16 PM

People of the other knowledge have claimed this thread for their purposes. Those who wish to buy bells must search elsewhere

Subject: RE: Looking for moris bell pads!
From: Compton
Date: 27 Jan 04 - 07:53 PM

Take a piece of leather...and 1 stanley knife..Give to a friend and stand well back!!

Subject: RE: Looking for moris bell pads!
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 27 Jan 04 - 08:38 PM

If I should meet Morris Bellpads, I'll tell him you're looking for him!

Robin

Subject: RE: Looking for moris bell pads!
From: GUEST,Desdemona
Date: 27 Jan 04 - 08:53 PM

I'm so glad I asked; you guys rock!

D.

Subject: RE: Looking for moris bell pads!
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 02:46 PM

You'd be better in a straight jacket!

Subject: RE: Looking for moris bell pads!
From: GUEST,Desdemona
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 03:53 PM

Most jackets, whether straight or curved, tend to get a bit hot & uncomfortable after a very short time spent dancing; now, if you meant a *strait* jacket...!

D.

Subject: RE: Looking for moris bell pads!
From: Gurney
Date: 29 Jan 04 - 03:07 AM

On a slightly more serious note...
If you are driven to DIY, DON'T sew the bells to a rectangular leather patch. I made some like that for a side once, and the next time I saw them, they had carefully cut the leather between the bells away, converting the pads into straps.
Too heavy, and they didn't ring right, was the cry.

It is not rocket science, making morris bells.

Subject: RE: Looking for moris bell pads!
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 29 Jan 04 - 07:49 AM

The easiest way to get a pair of bell pads is to go to a "Day of Dance" somewhere, wait until a morris man (or woman) passes out from a surfeit of alcohol and nick theirs !