Hopping Down in Kent - Old Glory visit the Kent Treacle Mines

• Suffolk
• Morris

Perhaps not as much “hopping” as a Cotswold Morris side might have done but there was certainly plenty of stamping and on this occasion, it was “Stamping the Old Ground”, "Nelson’s Revenge" and "The Buck" which Old Glory Molly Dancers and Musicians had brought down to Kent.  They were the guests of Seven Champions Molly Dancers, famous inhabitants of the Kent Treacle Mines.  A strong side of dancers and musicians made the journey although some felt it was a bit too radical to stray outside the natural territories of East Anglia.

Old Glory and their hosts Seven Champions by the sea in Whitstable

Seven Champions had been to Suffolk in December 2018 and a return trip had been eagerly awaited.  It turned out that the Treacle Mines are located in the Whitstable – Faversham area and the first dancing spots were around the harbour in Whitstable.  The day was dry and sunny but a cold wind whistled through the docks.  A good crowd gathered for the first spot at the so-called Dead Man’s Stage and came with us to the Lifeboat Station but later thinned out as dusk approached.

Seven Champs led the way with their strange tales and precise dancing, weaving complex and precise patterns in twos and fours, sixes and eights and sometimes more. 

Read more: Hopping Down in Kent - Old Glory visit the Kent Treacle Mines

New Old Glory event at the Locks

• Norfolk
• Suffolk
• Morris

Having previously reported that the traditional Old Glory Winter Solstice event at the Locks, Geldeston scheduled for 22nd December had been cancelled due to local flooding, I am now pleased to let you all know that a replacement event will take place at the Locks on Saturday 11th January at 8pm.  So this Winter you will still be able to witness the eerie sight of Old Glory emerging with flaming torches from the marshes into the pub yard. 

Other opportunities to see the Molly dancers and musicians will be tonight 4th January at the Oddfellows, Nightingale Road, Pakefield, Lowestoft NR33 7AU, 18th January at Whittlesea Straw Bear festival and finally for this season on 25th January at the Mark Jones Day of Dance starting at 10.30am at the Cutter, Ely.

Dave Evans

Mardles Morris (and Molly) correspondent

 

Golden Star seek wanderin' Starlets

• Norfolk
• Morris

In the Golden Star Public House in Norwich about 40 years ago it was thought to be a good idea to form a Cotswold Morris side, and so Golden Star Morris was born.  The precise date (and possibly year) are lost in the mists of time/alcohol (delete as appropriate).  To celebrate this and to cover most of the possible dates, Golden Star are having a number of events spread over about a year.  In June 2020 there will be a weekend at the Tibbenham Greyhound which will include a tour of South Norfolk on the Saturday.

Golden Star (and shadow side), April 2018; St Georges Day celebrations, Hundon

If you have danced, played or offered counselling to the side please join us for as much or as little of the weekend as you wish.  The dates are 12 - 14^th June.  If you would like details of the event please email; gsm40ish.gmail.com

Should you be in contact with other Golden Starlets please let them know about the fun filled future we are planning.

David Crease

Bagman, Golden Star Morris

Hageneth Morris Men 1977- 2019; Rest in Peace

• Morris

A celebration/wake for Hageneth will be held at the Chestnut Horse, Great Finborough at 12.30pm on 10^th November and a great turn-out of ex-members and friends from other sides is expected. We hope that a Hageneth side of some kind will dance as well as the Haughley Hoofers. All are welcome.  The Chestnut Horse has been chosen for the event because that was where Hageneth first performed in public in June 1977, as below.

Hageneth June 1977

 from left, Codge Barber, Bruce Sydell (hidden), Ronnie Godbold, Brian Francis, Sally Green, Dave Burt

Hageneth, founded as “Haughley Festival Morris” in 1977 to perform at Haughley’s Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebrations, have been suffering a mid-life crisis for the last 2 or 3 years. They managed to reach their 40^th birthday but have now sadly passed away after 42 years. The side have decided that because of a declining number of fit and able men, it is no longer possible to continue as an independent side. Some members of the side will continue dancing with other local sides.

Read more: Hageneth Morris Men 1977- 2019; Rest in Peace

Come and Try Morris Dancing

• Morris

 Kings Morris, now a mixed side, are holding a Morris dancing taster day

at The Ferry Lane Social Club, King's Lynn PE30 1HN on Saturday the 26th October from 11am to 4pm with a break for lunch at 1pm

Traditional Cotswold morris dancing is easy to learn and a lot of fun for all ages and abilities.

Entry is free and you’ll get a free beer at the end of the day!

Arthur (Bagman Kings Morris)

MORRIS SHORTS - Brief news from the world of Morris - Updated February 2019

• Morris

All My Life’s Buried Here – The Story of George Butterworth

The Diss Corn Hall will be showing this new documentary film about George Butterworth, the English composer, Morris dancer and folk song collector who was killed in 1916 at Pozières, France during the Battle of the Somme aged just 31. In the chaos of war Butterworth was buried where he fell and his remains were never subsequently identified.

The film will be shown on Wednesday 27th February 2019 at 10.30am and at 7.30pm.  Following each performance there will be a Q & A session with the director Stewart Hajdukiewicz

A trailer for the film is available at www.georgebutterworth.co.uk

Tickets are available from the Corn Hall box office.

Read more: MORRIS SHORTS - Brief news from the world of Morris - Updated February 2019