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May Day

29 Apr 04 - 12:40 PM (#1174150)
Subject: May Day
From: Scooby Doo

Anything happening around Cardiff,South Wales for May Day?.


29 Apr 04 - 01:44 PM (#1174220)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: Mary Humphreys

Or around Newmarket, Suffolk?


29 Apr 04 - 03:41 PM (#1174335)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: Little Robyn

It's all happening in Padstow! (And I'm half a world away.)
OSS OSS! WEE OSS!
Robyn


29 Apr 04 - 04:07 PM (#1174350)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: Ed.

I'm sorry if this sounds patently obvious, but might I suggest that asking people in your own locale, looking in local newspapers, and maybe doing a google search with relevant words, would be more productive?


29 Apr 04 - 04:12 PM (#1174356)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: Macha

In seattle I am going to run around sing random folk songs.


29 Apr 04 - 05:18 PM (#1174403)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: Scooby Doo

Tried that you idiot Ed,i am not that stupid!!!!.


29 Apr 04 - 06:07 PM (#1174431)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: My guru always said

That wasn't very nice Scooby. It's obvious that Ed was only trying to be helpful and being quite apologetic about it at the same time.


29 Apr 04 - 06:11 PM (#1174432)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: TheBigPinkLad

I'll be doing something with a pole.


29 Apr 04 - 06:21 PM (#1174441)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: Cllr

Im off to see the OSS anyone else at padstow??


29 Apr 04 - 06:52 PM (#1174464)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: Gareth

Ahhh ! - The spring bank holiday - The frantic cries of "Mayday, Mayday" on CH 16 (VHF) as those who spent the winter fitting out small boats realise that the Sea can be cruel !

Gareth

Support your local unit RNLI


29 Apr 04 - 07:02 PM (#1174467)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: George Papavgeris

I'll be at Padstow too


29 Apr 04 - 07:48 PM (#1174498)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: LindsayInWales

We (The Widders Welsh Border Morris) are performing at the Irish Club in Bulwark, Near Chepstow, on Monday, 3rd May, and at the New Inn, Pwllmeyric from 7.30pm on Thursday 6th May, and with Cardiff City Morris on 23rd May at the Elan Valley Visitor Centre/Elan Vally Hotel...but...sorry not on May 1st...perhaps Isca Morris are out somewhere on that day?


30 Apr 04 - 01:20 AM (#1174655)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: Scooby Doo

Sorry Guru but i tried the local scene and newspapers then i went on the net before i came here.I only have local transport to rely on,i would love to go further a field if i could afford too and was allowed to drive.
Except my apoligies Ed.I know you were only trying to help out.


30 Apr 04 - 01:27 AM (#1174659)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: LadyJean

I'll be in Pittsburgh, but I always listen to the Padstow May song on May 1.


30 Apr 04 - 01:36 AM (#1174662)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: Little Robyn

Our friends in Padstow always telephone us (in NZ) as the Blue Oss goes past their house and we get to say hello to people like Barry Kinsmen who follow the Oss. So Cllr and El Greko, if you're up Dennis Road and you see some people at Tremorva, talking on a phone, come and say hello to me!
Robyn


30 Apr 04 - 02:07 AM (#1174670)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: jacqui.c

Hastings - my first festival - with Kendall. Hoping to meet lots of other Mudcatters there.

Wherever you are - enjoy the day.


30 Apr 04 - 03:37 AM (#1174690)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: Partridge

I'll be dancing out at a may day green festival with a team called "Out of the West" They have only been formed for 6 weeks and this is there first public performance. Wish us luck!

Pat xx


30 Apr 04 - 04:06 AM (#1174711)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: Moses

Padstow it is - Ring o Bells tonight if I can get there in time - (Still working in London until mid afternoon and it's a l o n g way!)

It's my first time so be gentle with me please.


30 Apr 04 - 04:56 AM (#1174756)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: My guru always said

Hope everyone has safe journeys to wherever they're a-Maying.

Anyone in Padstow will bump into Breezy surely - he'll be busking near the sea - interesting conversations there I'll be bound!!

Will someone in the UK please stop doing that raindance or I'll be going to Upton-under-Severn......

Have fun all!


30 Apr 04 - 04:57 AM (#1174758)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: Nigel Parsons

Scooby:
May Day Celebration
1 May 2004
Museum of Welsh Life, St Fagans

The summer starts here! Traditionally, May Day marked the start of the summer, and at the Museum of Welsh Life the tradition continues. Cardiff Folk Dance Company will be on site to perform traditional dances and to raise the Maypole, while there'll be a rare chance to enjoy a Mummers' Play, along with a Victorian Fair, puppet shows and craft demonstrations. The Glamorgan Iron Horse Society will also be on site with their collection of vintage machinery.


for more detail see St Fagans Folk Museum (re-named the National Museum of Welsh Life sometime during the last 30 years)

Nigel


30 Apr 04 - 05:14 AM (#1174767)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: concertina ceol

Weald of Kent Morris have their usual may day tour

5:31 Star & Eagle Goudhurst
6:00 Village Green Goudhurst
6:30 The Vine Goudhurst - for breakfast and beer - £6
8:00 The Vine Goudhurst
9:30 Cranbrook, Church Steps
11:30 Lamberhurst Vineyard
12:45 Elephants Head, Hook Green

And if we are still standing probably the Lord Raglan at Rabbits Cross!

Have a happy may day where ever you are in the world. all times BST.

Check out www.wealdofkentmorris.org.uk for more info


30 Apr 04 - 05:38 AM (#1174794)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: Schantieman

Southport Swords will (I suppose, although this is hearsay!) be in Southport town centre (near Lady Di's bidet) at 0523 or whenever the sun rises. The Scarisbrick Hotel's beer festival starts at 0600 too!

Steve


30 Apr 04 - 05:41 AM (#1174797)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: Micca

I am off to Hastings this afternoon with Sorcha, and we hope to "Roll out" TWO new Giants This weekend, and before anyone asks, I dont know why the First public appearance of a Giant is called "Rolling Out" (like an an Aircraft,I suppose) I mean They don't have wheels, (at least mine don't!!) these two are called "Dearg" and "Glás" and I will put pix up of them , with the Morrigán (if I get a chance to take any) after the w/e. Maybe a welcome break from sadder memories and events.


30 Apr 04 - 05:57 AM (#1174812)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: George Papavgeris

I'll be taking my new LOUD 12-string along and will set up busking next to Breezy. Ha! My charity will be DOGS (Distressed Ornery Guitarists of Salonika)


30 Apr 04 - 06:04 AM (#1174817)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: Scooby Doo

Thanks Nigel,looks like i will have to try and get to St Fagins if i want to celebrate.I will be watching the sun come up in my garden tomorrow morning,if i had tidy transport instead of public i would be going to Caerleon with the local morris side.


30 Apr 04 - 09:07 PM (#1175460)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: Scooby Doo

Well its May Day,so enjoy the day what ever you get upto and also remember its Beltane.


01 May 04 - 09:44 AM (#1175755)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)

Just came down off the mountain (Pack Monadnock) where the two local morris teams, Jack in the Green and the Harrisville Morris Women, met and greeted the sunrise. Then to breakfast in Peterborough, NH, where we sang for the early risers. A few more dances outside the diner, then off to a "normal" day.

Allison


01 May 04 - 04:55 PM (#1176083)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: Little Robyn

It's now 2nd May in NZ.
We had our phone call from Padstow and we heard the band - in the distance - the Blue Oss team has changed the route and now they turn off just before they reach our friend's house. So we didn't speak to any of the Ossers themselves. That's the first time I've missed in 32 years! Still, we caught up on the news.
OSS OSS!
Robyn


01 May 04 - 07:43 PM (#1176168)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: John J

I went up onto Alderley Edge in Cheshre, NW England at 05:25 in good time to greet the sunrise at 05:37. I met up with my mum who was playing for Chorlton Green Morris, a fine bunch of ladies who meet to dance on the Edge every Mayday morning at sunrise.

I was pleased to see a couple of Manchester Morris on the Edge, one played whilst t'other danced a single jig. The wife (?) of one of the Manchester men was there too, they toasted the sunrise with champagne.....Manchester Morris always were a cut above the rest!

I played a couple of tunes, drank a toast to the Summer, then sang Hal an Tow.

Good luck to you all for the season!

John


01 May 04 - 10:40 PM (#1176248)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: Desert Dancer

Yesterday was my Wheatstone English concertina's 80th birthday, so I had a party. I'd hoped to sing a lot of English songs and think May-ish thoughts, too, but didn't quite get the right crowd. We had lots of funny and more or less off-color songs, instead, so had a good time anyway. Come midnight -- and being up "long before the day-o" -- I did teach 'em sang Hal an Tow (and they also sang happy birthday to me). In this part of the world we don't usually "welcome in the summer" with open arms, so it took some suspension of disbelief.

I made a cake that looked like a concertina, which I couldn't bear to cut. It had taken me about 10-12 hours total to make, and was quite detailed, so we just admired it most of the evening. The diehards who hung in until midnight got to see me cut it and got to sample it.

During the day I taught my first grade music classes to dance "The Sweets of May".

~ Becky in Tucson, Arizona


02 May 04 - 12:58 AM (#1176278)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: Joe_F

Hooray, hooray, the first of May!
Outdoor fucking begins today.


02 May 04 - 01:28 PM (#1176390)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: *Laura*

I was down at Padstow - went to Bodmin folk club the night before - AND the Ring O'bells, so I'm happily 'folked up!' hehe. Happy Mayday - hope everyone had a good time!

Unite and Unite and etc...


02 May 04 - 04:44 PM (#1176500)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: GUEST,Gin

For those of you sitting on the edge of your computer chairs still wondering..."Out of the West" triumphed amazingly dancing their first (but hopefully not their last) day out in Dewsbury on May Day. If you live in the area I suspect they'd like even more members! From the viewpoint of an itinerant musician, they performed three very creditable dances.


02 May 04 - 05:02 PM (#1176514)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: McGrath of Harlow

Well, it's not May Day anymore, but there should be plenty of folky thing on May Bank Holiday on Monday.

Round our way there is Standon in Hertfordshire, where they close down the street and there's a maypole, and dancing and suchlike, as well as a steam fair and a boot fair, and stalls in the street and a flower festival, and likely enough a session in the pub.


02 May 04 - 05:05 PM (#1176518)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: GUEST, Vadontcha Bugarov

Da, ve have big parade in Red Sqaure, many tanks da?


02 May 04 - 07:42 PM (#1176566)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: McGrath of Harlow

Niet, these days...


02 May 04 - 10:31 PM (#1176644)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: Mark Clark

Just returned from Chicago where, among other things, I observed May Day properly by visiting—together with my son-in-law and granddaughters—the Haymarket Martyrs' Monument in Chicago's Waldheim Cemetery.

      - Mark


02 May 04 - 11:03 PM (#1176660)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: Amos

Early in 1886 labor unions were beginning a movement for an eight-hour day. Serious trouble was anticipated and on May 1 many workers struck for shorter hours. An active group of radicals and anarchists became involved in the campaign. Two days later shooting and one death occurred during a riot at the McCormick Harvester plant when police tangled with the rioters.


On May 4 events reached a tragic climax at Haymarket Square where a protest meeting was called to denounce the events of the preceding day. At this meeting, while police were undertaking to disperse the crowd, a bomb was exploded. Policeman Mathias J. Degan died almost instantly and seven other officers died later. Eight men were finally brought to trial and Judge Joseph E. Gary imposed the death sentence on seven of them and the eighth was given fifteen years in prison. Four were hanged, one committed suicide and the sentences of two were commuted from death to imprisonment for life. On June 26, 1893, Governor John P. Altgeld pardoned the three who were in the penitentiary.

The Haymarket Riot statue, a 9-foot bronze of a Chicago policeman of the 1880's, was erected in 1889 near the original site of the riot on Randolph Street near Halsted street as a tribute to the Chicago policemen who lost their lives in the Haymarket square riot of 1886. In 1892, the park district shifted it to Union Park and later relocated it to another spot in Union Park. In 1957 the statue was moved to the northeast corner of the bridge over the Kennedy expressway at Randolph Street. In October, 1969, and again in October of 1970 the statue was blown off of its pedestal in unsolved explosions. In January of 1972 it was moved to the lobby of police headquarters at 1121 S. State Street. Later it was moved to the courtyard of the Police Academy at 1300 W. Jackson Blvd.

(From:http://www.chipublib.org/004chicago/timeline/haymarket.html)


02 May 04 - 11:47 PM (#1176676)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: Mark Clark

Thanks, Amos. Many people around the globe don't realize that the Haymarket debacle in Chicago on May 1, 1886 is the reason May 1 is set asside in almost every country (except the US) to honor labor. The eight-hour day finally became a reality in the US in 1935; not so much because of any sense of justice but because the country was in the depths of the Great Depression and the eight-hour day was expected to help expand employment.

      - Mark


03 May 04 - 03:10 AM (#1176718)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: Scooby Doo

Even i learnt from that piece of the thread Thank you Amos,it was very interesting.Also yours Mark,i did not know it was called Labour Day.Enjoy the Bank Holiday Monday,even though it looks bleak here in Wales.


03 May 04 - 04:01 AM (#1176735)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: GUEST,Stephen of Hampshire

Half a dozen Morris sides greeted the dawn in the vilage square Wickham, Hampshire for dance and song, then to breakfast at the camp and 2 coaches off to dance at various sites in the New Forest and Portsmouth way.

We sang Hal an Tow and danced more in the evening before going to the pub for a simgaround.

All very well going to Padstow, but as common ground say, these big events like Padstow May day, Lewes bonfire night etc get overdone at the expense of building up more local events where you live. We could have done with a crowd bigger than 8 in Wickham square!


03 May 04 - 04:08 AM (#1176738)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: GUEST,Lindswidder

Well in my bit of South Wales it's "Chepstock" festival today, and it's raining, of course, being a Bank Holiday, come and see "The Widders" Welsh Border Morris perform at 4pm. Scooby couldn't you get a train from Cardiff to Chepstow and pick up a taxi?


03 May 04 - 04:45 AM (#1176748)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: GUEST, Mikefule

In went out with another Dolphin Morris Man to join New St. George Morris outside Belvoir Castle. We had no crowd at all, except the man from the cafe who came looking for us because he'd been expecting us to dance inside the castle grounds.

Years ago, I danced in the sunrise as a guest of Foresters. Again, no crowd at all.

It's all jolly good fun, but a totally bogus tradition... or should I say, a NEW tradition? Can't expect the public to turn up in droves at stupid o'clock on a cold May morning to watch half an hour of Morris dancing. I have noticed that when Dolphin's first tour of the year is on May 1st (we dance out on Thursdays) we get a slightly more interested reaction from the public. One bloke even broke his stride as he walked past.


03 May 04 - 05:20 AM (#1176762)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: GUEST,Lindswidder

Well I haven't been to the May morning celebrations on Brackley Market Square for a number of years now, (although I have driven up twice from South Wales to be there) but Brackley Morris dances the sun up every May Day, with a host of other sides, one of the pubs (The Red Lion) has an early morning special licence, and is usually packed as they are serving breakfast too, and the crowd of spectators is usually sizeable


03 May 04 - 06:14 AM (#1176776)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: Scooby Doo

Linswidder,if i could get out of LLantrisant into Cardiff i would come along.I love the Wye VAlley and Chepstow,But enjoy the day and i be thinking of you all.


03 May 04 - 07:35 AM (#1176796)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: GUEST,Lindswidder

Thanks Scooby I am sure we will have a great time, despite the dodgy weather up here, still I expect there will be a bar so we may as well get wet inside as well as out :)


03 May 04 - 12:54 PM (#1176959)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: Mrs.Duck

Well our now defunct Morris Team was reconvened for one day only at May Day celebrations at the Black Dog home of the up and coming Yorkshire Gathering - many of us hadn't danced for nearly six years so a lot of huffing and puffing but good fun. And who'd have thought we'd have had a weekend of glorious warm weather and sunshine!!


03 May 04 - 02:20 PM (#1177023)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: breezy

amongst those night singing at Padstow this year were Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman, Martin Carthy, George Papavgeris, Cllr, Moses, Tony Dean, Dave Watts and John

the ringers was a non event on the eve

on the night 'Little Moe' got everyone organised and it was a good sing

the day was overcast

The 2nd day of may ws beautiful and Larry mac walked out round the harbour.

Poochie done good

whose Poochie? I hear you say

oss oss wee oss


03 May 04 - 04:11 PM (#1177093)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: GUEST,jennifer

There was a decent crowd at Castle Field in Laxton, Notts. Enough to keep a couple of barbeques going, anyway. And we left after an hour (five year old got too cold/bored to look for any more mediaeval skeletons in rabbit burrows) and they were still going strong. Rattlejag, Lincoln and Micklebarrow and two representatives of another side? Not sure. The local paper consigned the advance coverage to the children's page but here was a reporter with a camera exhorting strange poses so there might be more this week!


03 May 04 - 07:33 PM (#1177267)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: Cllr

oss oss


04 May 04 - 01:56 AM (#1177455)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: Little Robyn

Wee Oss!


04 May 04 - 12:06 PM (#1177469)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: Catherine Jayne

Just got back from Hastings Jack in the Green Festival...Micca, myself, Sorcha, Kendall, Liz the Squeak, Manitas, Limpit, Morticia, Pixie of Doom, Sussex Carole and Rumanci were there. There was plenty of singing over the weekend and the Giants old and new looked wonderful. The parade was grand although it got cold and wet in the afternoon after. Saturday and Sunday were lovely and most of us got sunburnt!


04 May 04 - 12:11 PM (#1177474)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: GUEST,JOHN FROM ELSIE`S BAND

Yes, Breezy, we chalked up another good Padstow, doing "The Golden Lion", "The London" and "The Ring-O Bells" on the 2nd( mighty noisy and crowded). As per usual, an enjoyable round on the St.Enedoc course. I missed you on the quay but was with Dave when he spoke to you at the Night Singing. Larry Mac gave us a rendition of his latest song, said it was his last. Don`t believe it.


04 May 04 - 12:25 PM (#1177486)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: breezy

not many venture as far as the waters edge.

Was there a good sing at the ringers on Sunday or Monday?


05 May 04 - 01:47 AM (#1178170)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: GUEST,An English Patriot

Its interesting to see how our labour leaders are spending May Day. New Statesman asked Tony Blair how he would be spending May Day and a No 10 spokesman said that Blair had nothing planned. They asked Ken Livingstone and he said he would be helping organise Respect, the concert that helps promote (ostensibly) multi-culturalism, which, when you think about it, has nothing to do with the working class or the Labour movement. You can be a die-hard free-market Friedmanite and still believe in multi-culturalism. When two such prominent Labour politicians cannot give a damn about Labour day, what does that say about the Labour movement?


05 May 04 - 07:25 AM (#1178356)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: fiddler

Well done all!

I did Bristol - missd dawn by a few (45) mins but ended dancing in Bristol Zoo with Rag Morris from Bristol UNI!

Much all was had by fun!

A
XX


05 May 04 - 03:24 PM (#1178756)
Subject: RE: May Day
From: *Laura*

Good sing at the ringers there was indeed. and at Bodmin Liza was the best I've ever heard her!

Oss Oss Wee Oss!