I'm sorry to hear about your sense of humour by-pass operation, Rog. I hope it can be soon put right again. You'll appreciate that you've upset a lot of people by publishing your article like this without having the courtesy to speak with us.

Did anyone explain to Scratch Morris about the Millenium photograph? Hm, I thought not.

Whenever Scratch Morris has shared a dance site with an 'official' side, we've reached an arrangement with the sides dancing there. I've never seen an 'official' side who have danced after us wait for the crowd we collected to diperse so that they can gather an 'official' crowd.

So one of Scratch Morris attempted to trip one of your team. If this is the case I apologise unreservedly. But the way it came out in your acticle it seems it was one of our main occupations. You said 'they' and 'dancers'.

You might have an objection to cardboard hats, but was there any need to jump up and down on one in the Tap and Spile long after the dancing was over? It was you wasn't it?

One thing I will not apologise about. Scratch Morris gives an opportunity for members of other sides, or dancers and musicians of sides which have disbanded, to go out and dance and play and be entertaining. And they can be joined by other musicians who don't play Cotswold so often to play for them. And hopefully this may encourage people to join an established side. Who knows?

The next time that Whitby Scratch Morris upset you in some way, come and have a word. Don't let your anger rule you.

Les Ward