Morris Ring admits women in sides

Subject: Morris Ring admits women in sides
From: Mr Red
Date: 11 May 18 - 04:36 AM

Squire Eddie Worrall reflects on the ARM
12 Mar 2018

A busy weekend at the Morris Ring ARM. The membership voted to change the Constitution to remove the previous bar on non-male dancers in member clubs. This was however the end of a long process of consultation, debate within individual sides, discussions between sides and closing arguments at the meeting itself yesterday. The turnout for the vote was in excess of 80%, with 87% of votes cast in favour of the change.

Full Article

We are indeed living in interesting times...........

Subject: RE: Morris Ring admits women in sides
From: Mr Red
Date: 11 May 18 - 05:18 AM

just amended the Wiki entry for the Ring.

Subject: RE: Morris Ring admits women in sides
From: Senoufou
Date: 11 May 18 - 06:16 AM

That is indeed very very interesting Mr Red. I have to admit that I'm a bit doubtful about women Morris dancers, which is very prejudiced of me I know. As the article says, change is never easy but the Morris has as its aims friendship and the best standards of dance.
I've seen mixed sides and all-women sides. I can't quite decide why I'm not too keen.

Subject: RE: Morris Ring admits women in sides
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 11 May 18 - 06:18 AM

You just like the look of all those men working up a sweat, Sen :-D

Subject: RE: Morris Ring admits women in sides
From: Senoufou
Date: 11 May 18 - 06:29 AM

Oh gawd Dave, you've guessed my little secret!! :)

Subject: RE: Morris Ring admits women in sides
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 May 18 - 07:53 AM

About time too

Subject: RE: Morris Ring admits women in sides
From: Jos
Date: 13 May 18 - 08:27 AM

It'll be interesting to see how many women's and mixed sides take up the invitation.

Subject: RE: Morris Ring admits women in sides
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 13 May 18 - 08:59 AM

The best morris dancing I have ever seen (bar Albion Morris) was from "Morris Offspring", a mixed exhibition team with superb dancing from both men and ladies.

When I was a musician for a Croydon morris side back in the 1980s, I found the Morris Ring to be a hideously biggoted organisation.

Subject: RE: Morris Ring admits women in sides
From: GUEST,Jonm
Date: 13 May 18 - 12:44 PM

I think you'll find attitudes within the Morris Ring have changed more than attitudes to the Morris Ring in the ensuing 30 years.

Subject: RE: Morris Ring admits women in sides
From: Mo the caller
Date: 14 May 18 - 06:03 AM

Not so long ago (maybe even within this century) a friend of mine couldn't play for her husbands Morris side. It surprised me that the gender bar extended to musicians.

Subject: RE: Morris Ring admits women in sides
From: sleepyjon
Date: 15 May 18 - 10:08 AM

If I remember correctly, we got booted out because the Squire's wife volunteered to act as treasurer - but that was back in the dark ages - maybe three years ago!

SJ

Subject: RE: Morris Ring admits women in sides
From: Paul Burke
Date: 15 May 18 - 04:10 PM

There must be a song in there somewhere.. the female morrisman... dances for years, no one suspects, only revealed when her shirt comes undone and exposes her lilywhite breast...

Subject: RE: Morris Ring admits women in sides
From: Mo the caller
Date: 16 May 18 - 07:53 AM

The version I heard of that song had a different ending.

Subject: RE: Morris Ring admits women in sides
From: Mr Red
Date: 17 May 18 - 05:02 AM

There must be a song in there somewhere.. have a look at Female Morrisman

Verna Connolly used to sing just that song. I have heard it sung by others. Written by Ron Shuttleworth. He was still around last I heard (18months ago).

Subject: RE: Morris Ring admits women in sides
From: GUEST,Eric the viking
Date: 17 May 18 - 05:28 AM

They will be getting the vote next!

Subject: RE: Morris Ring admits women in sides
From: Mo the caller
Date: 18 May 18 - 07:37 AM

Someone will need to add a last verse about how they let her back in

Subject: RE: Morris Ring admits women in sides
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 18 May 18 - 08:39 AM

three cheers for Mr Ring!

Subject: RE: Morris Ring admits women in sides
From: GUEST,JHW
Date: 22 May 18 - 03:23 PM

The article says dancers but presumably performers in Ring Member Mummers Teams are similarly now welcome. Though a Mummers Play is certainly not a pantomime we do have female characters played to date by men veering toward pantomime dame.
Maybe the Pantomime Dame should be frowned on.