We had Morris dancing once or twice a year in the Junior School playground (late 1950s). Our Religious Knowledge teacher was a member of the local side.

When the scare story of Morris dancing dying out hit the English media earlier this year, local sides were quick off the mark saying they're actually not doing that badly, with significant numbers of young members.

So "any publicity is good publicity" has probably given Morris dancing a boost in the last two months. I hope that all Morris sides are aware of the value of getting to dance to children at the age where global commercial agendas have yet to take over young minds.

Reading fairly thoroughly the contributions to this thread, I think Diane Easby and Andrez have fingered the villains.

Various media giants have indeed a global agenda to make the world Corporate American (far more sinister than any threat to English culture from Europe, Don). That involves ridiculing tradition / non commercial activity. It's sadly worked to a huge degree in England especially (common language a disadvantage over Europeans for example).

Across the music world in England sad characters cannot get before a microphone and sing without aping an American accent - and visiting (liberal) Americans are often bemused by this.

Yes, if you're doing a cover of Elvis then you may want to sound authentic (would an American JAM or early STATUS QUO cover band sing in Woking, or Wyoming accent?
But an English singer singing American about London Bridge....

It's rife in pop, and now spreading to Folk!

And here's a bit of sociological stuff for you Lucy:

We could also debate the threat, from drugs culture, to Morris, Folk, Real Ale; Trainspotting with all other forms of ("Anorak") activity, which involves being enthusiastic for something.

And drugs culture, some would say, is the means of pacifying those who would have no hope in the commercial world - and conveniently makes a virtue from not being interested in challenging unfairness/injustice - of thing like commercialism! It's the other side of the same coin to the media ridicule.      

Ian Fyvie, BA (Hons) - Sociology