40 years since Gorton Morris revived

Subject: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 21 May 08 - 05:44 PM

Man U win.

Sod that.

Rumor is Gorton Morris will celebrate 40 years since the first revival this October. how good can life be?

Cheers

Les in Chorton - Heart in Gorton

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 22 May 08 - 08:18 AM

Ok slight error here its 10 years since temporary retirement of said side.

What year did they start?

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: Bill S from Adelaide
Date: 22 May 08 - 10:30 AM

Hi Les
The first mention of Gorton Morris was in the Gorton Recorder of 1775 saying the Gorton Morris failed to turn out as usual (not being there was newsworthy, so they must have been going for a few years before then). The first performance by the revival side was exactly 200 years later in 1975. I joined that year, two of us joined together and we were the first members with cars so that footups were no longer restricted to cycling distance or bus routes.
First big trip away was Cornwall, first Ring Meeting was Giffard, busiest weekend was the Jubilee with 19 foot-ups in 2 days.
Great times and great memories from the Biermeister. If you want stories from that era let me know, I can bore you silly.
I turned up to the Waggon a few years ago in a morris t-shirt and a couple of lads asked if I'd heard of Gorton Morris, I heard myself saying " I were dancing wi Gorton Morris before you were born" and what was worse, I was right.
Not 40 yet...
Cheers
Bill

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 23 May 08 - 02:46 AM

Thanks Bill. I have just retrieved this website:

http://esd.mmu.ac.uk/gmm/

Gorton Morrismen website

It dies say cut and paste doesn't it?

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 23 May 08 - 03:12 AM

So Bill, a 1975 start means 37 years I think.I joined in 1978 and left around 1983.

We moved to Manchester in the September 1978.The first weekend we went to Haryy Boardman's Club at the Unicorn. Chris Cole and some others out of Gorton Tank were playing and they announced that Gorton would be dancing on the next day in, I think, Daveyhulme.

We want to watch them and although I had danced Cotswold and seen a lot of Northwest I had seen nothing as exciting as Gorton. I went to practices that winter and stated dancing out quite soon.

I remember short tours of places like Openshaw on a Friday night. 8 dancers and about 6 musicians dancing on the pavement outside pubs and chippies in the dark. It was most dramatic and people did genuinely enjoy the spectical.

I think Chris and Ash Latham did an incredible job teaching and organising gangs of us to do the dances and to get to some amazing venues.

Chris e-mailed me Wedneseday night:

"GMM are holding a reunion on 4th October 2008 to mark the 10th anniversary of the side's demise.The venue will be The Vale Cottage, start time TBA."

Can you make that Bill or are you actually in Perth?

Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: GUEST,Waterman
Date: 23 May 08 - 03:28 AM

Gorton Rushcart - happy days!

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 23 May 08 - 03:53 AM

Certainly were Waterman - did you dance the wild dancing?

I was amazed the website is still up- all down to Ian O'toole I guess?

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 23 May 08 - 04:17 AM

Is this the same Gorton who packed a barrel of Boddingtons on the coach to Guildford for the annual Summerpole celebrations in 1981 and drank it dry before it left Cheshire?

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: GUEST,Waterman
Date: 23 May 08 - 04:49 AM

I attended Gorton Rushcart with a guest side for many years. I recall one year the Abbots Bromley Horn Dancers were there. The only time I've seen them - must try to see them on their special day. I wish the lads a splendid reunion in October.

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 23 May 08 - 04:51 AM

Well the general feel of the story is spot on but I'm not sure of the details.

I remember a trip to Alford - a village in Lincolneshire with a Windmill- a think it was a Morris Ring event. On the Saturday Tour Chris drank 27 pints of bitter. Mind you it did start about 8.30am and go on after midnight so it was about one an hour.

On another trip to Guildford which started on Friday morning near Piccadilly Station when Ash got a Landlord friend to let the side in early so that they could save the carryout for the train.

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: Bill S from Adelaide
Date: 23 May 08 - 07:55 AM

Yes I live in Perth Oz so I'll struggle to be there.
Odd how many memories feature drinking, very much a part of north west.
We joined the Ring at Giffard in Wolverhampton but I forgot to organise a show dance, so we made one up on the spot. We declared that only the ones who had supped 20 pints that day could dance and every man stood up. Can't remember that much but we called insides and all belted Paul with morris sticks, blood pouring out and him laughing due to a lack of pain.
Or one of our regular midweek crawls of Hulme and Salford docks, 7 pubs from 7 breweries, finishing on Holts, the landlord of the last pub said he'd serve us once and let us sup up what we bought. Ash ordered 15 pints, the landlord said, is that for everybody and Ash said no that's for me, we filled the back room with beer and left about 4am to get ready for work. (No breathalysers in those days)
Or outside the Jolly Angler in thick fog with half a dozen police cars in a ring to light us.
First time we went to Alford we were the first north west side most people had seen, everybody who had ever been turned up so we had a couple of dozen lads in clog irons.
When our funds reached twenty quid, we organised an ale with Adlington and the Jemmers on a Maynes double decker and just bagged enough to cover costs

When I joined along with Ian OToole, there were Ash, Chris, Barry, Sid, Geoff and a couple of lads, Keith and John joined soon after as did Tom, Ron and Paul and Janet played for us (we refused to go to a Ring meeting if she couldn't come but she was away for Giffard), apologies to anyone I missed, it was a long time ago.

Kids today, dun't know they're born

I might put together a few stories for the reunion commemorating not dancing (a tradition dating back to 1775), might even scan a few photos

That's enough, I've worked up a thirst and, yes, you can get Boddingtons on tap in my local

Cheers
Bill

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: Bryn Pugh
Date: 23 May 08 - 09:11 AM

Perhaps mention might be made of the fact that in the very earlies, practice was in St Jimmy's Hall, without music ?

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 23 May 08 - 10:43 AM

I remember practicing in St James School Hall around 1979, but Janet was playing melodeon, were you there Bryn?

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 25 May 08 - 03:14 AM

Gorton nearly got a trip to Russia. Manchester has had links with Leningrad / St Petersburgh so a trip was at the planning stage when the Russians invaded Afganistan. This was not generally welcomed and some thought Gorton going to the USSR might be seen as retaliation and the trip was stopped.

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: Bill S from Adelaide
Date: 25 May 08 - 08:52 AM

In about 76 we were practicing in a local school hall till the school closed pending demolition. We still had the key so continued to use the hall even after the power was cut off. We each had to bring a few candles. The damp gradually got into the floor and the boards would spring while we were dancing. Happy days
Wassail
Bill

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: GUEST,Paddy "Luger" McGinley
Date: 05 Jun 08 - 04:16 PM

Yes, Chris had a drinking competition with Paul Lowe. I was too intelligent to enter such a nonsense, so I was the referee. Only problem was I was drinking more than the two competitors.

I do know Mr Lowe and I got into the thirties, which is disgraceful behaviour.

I think the side revived in 1975, the first Rushcart was in 1980. as the only Irishman in the side, I was responsible for starting the cricket match played at Alford. English people have no initiative.

Some great nights at Harry Boardman's, some great nights with Gorton Tank, and such memories from the Morris Side. I was about to commit treason and attend the Saddleworth Rushcart this year, just to revive old memories. However if there is a re-union in October, someone let me know, and I shall cross the Irish sea to attend.

Wouldn't miss it.

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: GUEST,Marion Dennerly
Date: 05 Jun 08 - 08:24 PM

Hiya,
Yes, tis true, Chris Jan and Grace (+ dog) have already booked into a room at Dennerly mansions in Gorton for the 10th Anniversary of the demise of the Gorton Morrismen although I have seen them dance Ashton whilst on a pub crawl in Stockport minus their kit and clogs, It was up to the mark as i remember but I had imbibed a good quantity of liquor as I remember, I still have some photos somewhere to mark the event.

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: GUEST,Paddy "Luger" McGinley
Date: 05 Jun 08 - 08:59 PM

Staying at Chateau Dennerly, with my fire and table?

I will find the nearest Hilton, not as good, but probably cheaper.

Someone let me know a few dates and I will make every effort to attend.

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Jun 08 - 01:41 PM

Great to see that our memories are still so fresh. I remember great weekends at Alford, the beer festival in "Ally Pally" in London and, oh, too numerous to mention. I joined just before the rushcart revival and covered the 1989 rushbearing by recording a cassette during my days with BBC Radio Manchester which sold quite well. The cassette covered the event from the cutting of the rushes in the fields to the evening ceilidh with interviews with Chris, Ash, the landlord of the Nelson, the horse handler, the local bobby and the vicar of St James to name a few.
I still have some copies which I sell on e-bay. If anyone wants one contact me via private e-mail. £3.50 inc p&p. an archive recording every self-respecting morris man, current or ex should have!
Forgive the sales pitch.
Love to all Gorton Morris Men wherever you may be.
Mike Billington.

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Jun 08 - 07:28 PM

Shame on you, Billington! You should copy it onto CD and bring us each a (free) copy to the reunion!
[ £3.50 indeed - for a tape??! Anyone got a tape player these days? He'll be selling us hammered dulcimers next! Or Crumhorns. Who's got a Crumhorn player anyway? Pass me another Carlsberg Special so I can take me gout tablet...... mutter, mutter, dribble...]

Looking forward to seeing you all on the 4th October....

Barrie.

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Jun 08 - 05:07 PM

Well worth every penny Barrie. I did have to pay for the production by the way!

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: GUEST,Ash
Date: 03 Jul 08 - 11:06 AM

Gorton was formed in 1974 and danced out in 1975. According to Barrie B it was 100 years to the day that the previous Rushcart had gone out.
Barrie-: Nothing has changed re Mike Billington, Not seen him for years and the first thing he does is try and flog you stuff. (ps
Mike I could sell YOU some).
Les J -: Don't forget that when Chris drank the 27 pints of bitter he started with Al the banjo's meths in the morning !!!
Paddy:- About the cricket match - but I could play cricket, you couldn't !!!! (Do you remember the tramp blowing the cat over your new morris shirt and also Coley setting his hair on fire at the Concord Suite in Droylsden).

Bill Singleton - G'day Bill, How goes it with you? Been looking at the
Giffard mad dance and its was Coley's punk morris. We hit each other with chairs, not sticks and Jeff Wood used a window pole.
As far as i'm concerned you can keep Boddies in Oz, it must be the worst pint in Manchester now.

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: GUEST,Marion-dictated by Ash.
Date: 03 Jul 08 - 11:07 AM

REUNION
12 O CLOCK AT THE VALE COTTAGE.
"LAST MAN STANDING"

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: Borderer
Date: 03 Jul 08 - 01:50 PM

Les, Bill, Barrie, Ash, Mike, Paddy, Janet - nearly enough for a side. You are making me all misty-eyed with your memories. Will we need our kit for this revival? - need to start on my clogs NOW. Let's start a collection to bring Bill S over.
Regards,
Ron

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: GUEST,"Luger" McGinley
Date: 03 Jul 08 - 06:34 PM

City are at home to Liverpool that day. Could we get that nutter Franksinatra to sponsor us?

When Coley set his hair on fire they were selling half price pints and no-one, and I mean no-one, was going to use their beer to save him.

Thankfully I have seen the light and no longer partake in the devil's brew, probably because I got to the stage where I was spilling most of it with a shaking hand.

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 08 Jul 08 - 01:24 PM

Greetings from Lake Garda, I think we will probably be back by October. Not a day to be missed.

Cheers

Les Jones

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 09:25 AM

In case your chat room does not know, If you click on
http://www.bu.edu/dbin/dance/indexresults.php
then search GORTON it should bring up some footage from 1982.

Broadband required

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: GUEST,AMM
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 09:34 AM

There are five shot video clips from 1982 of Gorton MM & the Rushcart at - http://www.bu.edu/dbin/dance/indexresults.php

Search - GORTON

* NOTE Broadband required.

** NOTE Getting the best magnification can be a bit of a fiddle but best viewed 1X or 2X

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: GUEST,johnogrimsby
Date: 17 Jul 08 - 03:56 AM

My first meeting with GMM was in Alford in 19??. We were in the back room of the Half Moon when this little git with spiky hair and a leather jacket came in and started being... well, call it provocative. We were just contemplating the best way to (forcibly) remove him, when he produced a melodeon and we saw Coley in a different light.

I think that was the weekend that I got Mr McGinley out BBW in the cricket match (B*ll*cks before wicket!).

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: r.padgett
Date: 17 Jul 08 - 11:05 AM

WEll you lot descended on Barnsley folk club with Keith Hancock I think at least 15 to 20 years ago

Barnsley being on t'other side of the Pennines o'course, noisy lot

Well done to you all!!

Ray

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: GUEST,Connie
Date: 18 Jul 08 - 05:23 AM

Interesting video clips AMM. Have Saddleworth seen these? They would appear to be dancing out with women's sides.

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 18 Jul 08 - 11:34 AM

All the best to Gorton on their reunion from Saddleworth MM, they were at the first Saddleworth 'Cart in 1975 with Adlington helping to pull it up the Hills! If anyone feels like doing it again, we're out on the Bank Holiday weekend this year...Good clip of the Gorton 'Cart.

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: GUEST,Ian O'Toole
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 11:45 AM

Hi All
Its good to hear all these comments and reminiscences, I have some good memories and stories that I still tell to anyone who will listen.

I will be at the reunion and if I can get some good copy I will be updating the website (some pictures would be good as well

Regareds

Ian

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 11:55 AM

Good man yerself Ian

Cheers

Les in Chorlton

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: doncatterall
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 07:56 AM

Ian

A diversion from the thread but how are you? - it was your article in the Manchester Evening News that introduced me to Adlington M M in the early 70s when they still practiced in Adlington Village Hall

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: Borderer
Date: 28 Sep 08 - 03:51 PM

Are we still on for this weekend 4th October? Any more former members been contacted? I believe Rod is still out of the country. Any news of any others? My clogs could still do with an extra buff...

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 28 Sep 08 - 05:45 PM

Ron,

me and Liz and Clive and Sue Wilson will be at the Vale Cottage!

See you then?

Les Jones

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: Borderer
Date: 28 Sep 08 - 06:55 PM

Excellent! Hotel booked. See you on Saturday.

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: GUEST,jan
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 02:47 PM

"this little git with spiky hair and a leather jacket came in and started being... well, call it provocative."

You should try living with him....he is now

"this little git with spiky hair and a WHITE CHEF'S jacket AND IS STILL .... well, call it provocative."

It can be quite a floor show for customer's!!!!

This weekend will actually mark 18 years of our marriage..so to all of you who said it would never last......you are probably right. As I always tell him...DON'T RELAX

Oh and in case you did not know...it will be Mags Latham's birthday as well...now I will be battered. See you all Saturday

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 01 Oct 08 - 07:57 AM

See you all then Jan

Les

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: GUEST,Alli (Billinge)
Date: 03 Oct 08 - 05:49 AM

See you all at the Vale Cottage, great to read all those memories

I'll dig out some pic's.

Remember Ida sewing all your rosettes and Albert's chip & sausage muffins

xx Alli

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: John J
Date: 05 Oct 08 - 04:18 AM

Last night at the Vale Cottage was wonderful - great to see the old faces and to play tunes and sing songs with friends renewed. I brought my dancing clogs, but by the time I got there everyone was far too gone for a dance!

Lets get together again sooner rather than later...please?

John

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: GUEST,Barrie Billinge
Date: 05 Oct 08 - 12:36 PM

What a splendid day at the Vale Cottage. It was wonderful to see so many of our friends and followers once more. I agree with John, we should do it again.
Thanks must go to the landlord and staff for having us. Can we come back again next year?
Barrie Billinge.

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 06 Oct 08 - 04:38 AM

It was a brilliant day out. Thanks to Chris, Ash, Barrie and who ever else pulled it together. The site of about 16 Gorton Men dancing in Gorton was a site to behold. The music went well the songs were a rare mixture of old folk and old pop. Pity about that bloke with the banjo!

Next year then?

Cheers

L in C

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: John J
Date: 06 Oct 08 - 06:06 AM

Next week?

JJ

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 06 Oct 08 - 09:13 AM

It's a great little pub and a session might fit, although I'm not sure I could find it again

L in C

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: GUEST,Denni & Pete
Date: 06 Oct 08 - 02:42 PM

What a great weekend can't wait to see some pics, hope everyone got home OK.

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: GUEST,Marion Dennerly
Date: 10 Oct 08 - 10:01 PM

Well a good drink was had by all according to the Landlord of the Vale who couldn't believe so many people could drink so much, for so long, and still remain standing. He should have seen us in our heyday when we used to build the cart in his back yard.
The video of Gorton dancing (average age must be 60) outside the Vale cottage can be seen by joining Facebook and Gorton Morris Men Appreciation Society. Some good photos being put on there as well.
Lovely to see so many old faces - old being the operative word.

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: GUEST,Bill S from Perth
Date: 11 Oct 08 - 05:13 AM

I'm going to have to change my monicker, terrible having to miss it but I've just started a new job in Melbourne and I had a major conference to organise straight before.
Sounds like it was a true Gorton MM night, I'll definitely be checking Facebook if someone will invite me. I am also pleased to note that I was thought of and missed even after all this time.
Yes, Ash, the Boddingtons in my local bore no resemblance to the nectar we demolished in our day. Still exploring Melbourne but I found Holgate ESB on handpump last night, you'd enjoy that.
Can't remember drinking a barrel, perhaps this was when we met outside the Royal Oak to go to Cornwall with about a dozen boxes of Bodkans, after we emptied a few boxes and started singing he opened the pub and we refilled the bodkans for the journey. Good job we did or we would have run out. That was at 7am.
We did however polish off 4 barrels at the failed attempt to start a NW ring which was hosted by John OGaunt as well as drinking the pub dry. Anyone remember that.
Bonfire night, Jolly Angler, cardboard boxes on the fire, wind came up and blew the blazing boxes along the middle of the set.
I've been off line for a few weeks so pardon belated apologies, glad to hear it were a reet gud do and really sorry I missed it.
PS clogs coming out of retirement with Brandragon
Cheers
Bill Singleton (ex Biermeister GMM)

Subject: RE: 40 years since Gorton Morris revived
From: Borderer
Date: 14 Oct 08 - 10:27 AM

Indeed it was a good do and I'm glad I made it for the day. Lots of funny anecdotes and stories to tell.
However, have now joined Youtube, but don't see any info there - has it been removed? Anyone else take some snaps?
Regards
Ron