Good morning. Ruth, I had the info about the origins of Bacup from them. I have been trying to work out what connection you have made between Morris dancers blacking up and Mummers day. I still can't see any and there is photographic and written evidence in the archives in Padstow Museum, that the Merrymakers have always blacked their faces and this dates back hundreds of years. Perhaps you did not realise that this is a totally different tradition and has nothing to do with morris or mumming as we know it today. Has the change of name to Mummers day confused people who have never been and now link it with Mumming and Morris? Apologies to Guest pat - I didn't see that guy and I don't know when the photo was taken. If that has caused offence I am sorry, but take it from me, the curly wigs have usually been multi coloured. If you had been, you would know. As for pantomime dames.. you are now into a whole new realm. When I worked in Professional theatre none of the pantomimes I worked on have black faced dames, just exaggerated make up. I suppose it is up to the artistic director. Again, I can't see what that has to do with Mummers day ... thread drift, perhaps?