it's worth remembering that people will say anything without the need for evidence. As someone who embraced, enjoyed and contributed, in an extremely minor way, to the general left wingery of the folk song scene, I was at first surprised on dancing with Chester, Bathampton and later Gorton to find a much more reactionary climate. Racism, sexism and homophobia being common. Gorton did dance at multicultural events and were extremely well received and once did a tour of pubs in Manchester's Gay Village and were much enjoyed.

Where did it all come from and what was it for? Maybe it doesn't matter. If so it can't be taken too seriously. If it does can we be a little more honest about it. I seem to rember an article in an EFDSS magazine showing the origins of Morris were in German courtly dancing. Anybody rember this?