Greg: please see my last post on thius subject. I think the instruments are one element within a weight of evidence which point conclusively to border morris having had very close ties with minstrelsy. That's all.

But just in case it's not clear, I'd like to state the following, absolutely and categorically:

I do NOT believe that border morris dancers who black up are racist.

I do NOT believe that border morris sides who black up should stop doing it. I just think they ought to know what the roots of the custom are and make an informed choice about it. I also hope they'd be brave enough to include this in their explanations if the public asks why blacking up is part of the tradition.

I DO think that, before jumping all over this poor head teacher and giving her a piece of their mind, some people maybe ought to have made sure that the history they were citing as the root of their outrage and indignation was, in fact, true.

I DO think that the proliferation of fakelore, especially as a means of covering up the more unpleasant aspects of our folk history, ought not to be encouraged.

I do NOT place any restrictions or guidance on the booking of dance teams or bands at Sidmouth on any grounds other than quality.


As it happens, Shropshire Bedlams are one of my favourite morris sides.

I hope that makes my position very clear.