I only look a these pages rarely and follow odd threads through. Great to see - at last - a bunch of reasonably minded morris based souls, concentrating on enjoying the dance and not worrying about 'preserving the traditions in aspic' especially good to see the admission that the original roots of the dance cannot be truly traced and that there are a number of options. The main thread of the discussion should have caused many of the old die hard Morris ring members to turn prematurely (assuming that some of them aren't actually dead already !) in their graves. Sadly much of it all was no help to the original enquiry. The answer seems to be we don't B Know but we damm well enjoy it.

I am currently working on a 21st Centuryt version of the Tardis partly intended to help understand the roots of this tradition. It may even give us the chance to get a true perspective on Cecil Sharpe as good intentioned though he was he was wrong in many areas but hell he was our first archivist in real terms of something which was dying. So any more kwestions and I would be pleased to take them along on my first voyage when ever (or is it if ever) I complete this damm Portaloo. Trouble is it keeps turning upside down and flooding when you land.

Also good to see the girls getting recognition. When girls (I hope that is not offensive to our female alter egos ?) first started at Reading Uni here there was a lot of uproar about Wimin doin Morris (back int '70s) But cheers to Windsor who joined us on our first tour. Sorry I am a man but what the hell no one is perfect !!!!!

My final point is can you all continue to spread the word about enjoyment of the dance - I'm sure the original enquirer must have seen a good side as I have heard so many comments lately about how boring it can all look when all these old men prance about with serious expresssion on their faces. I'M sure the original dancers way back whenever and wherever did not wear ballet shoes and iron their hankies absolutely flat !!!! Still the Portaloo will prove or disprove that theory.

Now that should start a row !

Tarrraaa

A. XX