A note for the benefit of Whippet, and others holding similar opinions.

Morris dancing is a bit like football. In both, there are great teams, good teams, mediocre teams, and struggling teams. (And, as in football, even good teams sometimes have a bad day.) You may well have witnessed a few dire performances, but wait until you've seen it at its best before condemning the entire art form.

And if you still don't like it after that? Well, next time you encounter a team of Morris dancers in the street, just pass us by and get on with your sad life, while we (and our audience) carry on having fun in our own way! It doesn't harm anybody, and it gives a lot of people a lot of pleasure. If it's not your cup of tea, then go drink your coffee, and belt up!

And to the other contributors to this thread ...

Wassail!