Morris dance

Subject: Morris dance
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 28 Apr 13 - 07:29 AM

We have moves house recently and out previous nearest team, some of whom I know well, were The Rumworth Morris of Bolton One of the best and most precise North West Morris teams I know of. The hansome chap on the left of teh picture with the pointy grey beard is John Kelly aka as Harmonium Hero on here.

Or nearest team now are The Flagcrackers of Craven who I do not know much about but seem to, as you will see, dance the Border tradition. I am sure I have seen them live before but can't recall when. I do believe they are outside our local pub on June 5th. I am looking forward to it.

Hope you enjoy the dances as much as I do.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Morris dance
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 29 Apr 13 - 06:02 AM

No comments from others 'catters? I don't believe it!

:D

Subject: RE: Morris dance
From: May Queen
Date: 29 Apr 13 - 06:31 AM

I enjoyed these, thankyou :-)

I like the hard shoes (clogs?) of the first lot as it adds a percusive element, smashing hats too!

I dont know a lot about the different sorts of Morris but I believe here in the west country we have many sides dancing Cotswold Morris. Our Bristol side wear rag like the Flagcrackers and were invited to the opening ceremony of the Olympics...very proud!

Subject: RE: Morris dance
From: Suzy Sock Puppet
Date: 29 Apr 13 - 06:39 AM

Well, I definitely prefer the Green Man to the Wicker Man :-)

Subject: RE: Morris dance
From: Spongebrother
Date: 29 Apr 13 - 07:55 AM

Try looking at here

Subject: RE: Morris dance
From: SteveMansfield
Date: 29 Apr 13 - 08:34 AM

FlagCrackers are hosting a day in Skipton on 15th June which we're coming over the Pennines for, it should be a good do.

There were few, if any, NW teams who could better Rumworth in their pomp - and I'm not saying that just because I played for them a few times ...

Subject: RE: Morris dance
From: Wolfhound person
Date: 29 Apr 13 - 08:35 AM

Can't speak for now, but 20 years ago Flag Crackerswere a friendly, enthusiastic and energetic bunch of dancers, with high standards.
They appeared in a TV ad (a Building Soc one?) for some years which is where you might have seen them.

Paws

Subject: RE: Morris dance
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 29 Apr 13 - 09:06 AM

I agree about Rumworth, Steve. Guess you must know Geoff Hughes pretty well? I got to know him and Rumworth through 2 friends who I ran Swinton Folk Club with - Dave Wynn and Ged Todd - They both danced for Rumworth too and I am not sure if they are in the clip I linked - Looks like them but I can't quite make out the features properly. I danced with and then played concertina for the June outing of the Abram circle dance as well as playing various parts in the Pace-Egg play but gave it up a while back.

Hope you enjoy the 15th - I will try and get there but it is also our village annual 'fun day' and I think we will be taking our 2 grandsons to that. I will definitely be seeing the Flagcrackers on the 5th though as they are on about 500 yards from our new house!

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Morris dance
From: GUEST,John Foxen
Date: 29 Apr 13 - 12:09 PM

When I played for the Wreckers at Chippenham last year we shared a pitch with the Flagcrackers and found them an excellent bunch. We are all looking forward to dancing with them again this year.
Watch out for their tambourine-wielding ladies and insist that they do their splendid Bedlam FC dance.