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Mixing Morris boosts popularity
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Traditional men only sides are in decline
Despite fears that Morris dancing could be extinct within two decades due to lack of new blood, east Kent is proving something of an exception.

Whitstable based side Dead Horse Morris are going from strength to strength thanks to their inclusive and forward thinking approach to age old tradition.

Throughout the summer the popular side dance mainly at pubs around Faversham and Whitstable, but also appear at numerous folk festivals up and down the country.

 Dead Horse Bagman –the side’s secretary – Barry Watts, 27, said: “It is vital that Morris Dancing survives.

“It is an ancient tradition in this country, but to survive a tradition must change with the times; this is what we’ve done, and this is why we’re such a strong side, with members aged from 6 to 66.

 “Unlike some sides, we encourage women to dance. In fact we are starting up a women’s side later this year. This encourages families to join, and we aim to attract families at our frequent recruitment drives in Whitstable.”

The Dead Horse Morris currently has 35 members, and is very proactive in searching out new recruits. The regular drives offering free beer to those willing to give Morris dancing a go have helped swell the ranks, and Mr Watts says he is confident about the future.

Dead Horse Morris perform per-restoration style dances with blackened faces and large sticks, dressed in traditional workman’s clothes and hobnail boots as opposed to the white suits and bells favoured by practitioners of the ‘Cotswold style’.

But while mixed sides are flourishing, online discussions on national folk forum The Mudcat Cafe suggest that strictly traditional Morris sides – who do not allow women to dance – are in decline.

The Morris dancing world is split across three organisations, the Morris Federation, Open Morris, and the Morris Ring.

Sides affiliated with the Morris Ring do not allow women to dance, and some do not even allow female musicians to perform in the folk bands accompanying the dancers.

The other two organisations encourage mixed sides.

Many Mudcat members claim that it is only sides associated with the Morris Ring who are finding it difficult to recruit new blood, as the men only policy discourages couples or families with children from getting involved.

In contrast, they say mixed Morris dancing is actually growing in popularity.
POSTED: 14/01/2009 14:00:00

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