94 - Devon Folk

Morris
Matters
SPORT RELIEF TOTAL
Plymouth Morris Men raised a total of £939.22 for
the Sports Relief charity from their day of dancing
featured in the last issue of What’s Afoot.
NOT ALL FOR THE BEER & TOBACCO
The above featured sum for charity was as a
result of a specic event, but many of the Morris
sides in the county make signicant donations to
charities of their choice from the money collected
by passing the hat round during their summer
dancing programme. There can be problems if a
club mentions a specic charity when collecting
unless permission has been obtained beforehand,
but there is nothing to stop a club making
subsequent donations from money received from
collections and fees for appearing at special
events. And, of course, there is no reason why
such donations should not be made public !
Rarely, these days at least, does any of the
collection end up over the bar in the pub.
Some goes to cover inevitable administrative
expenses such as phone & postage, some clubs
make a modest contribution to members’ petrol
expenses in attending events, some may put a
bit aside to allow a subsidy on costume, or on
major excursions to festivals, etc. in the U.K. or
abroad.
she moved to Bridport, but she still turns out for
the side on a few occasions. Music was provided
by Cupola (there’s a family connection!) with
Jane Thomas calling.
And there’s another Winkleigh wedding in the
ofng ...
SWELLING THE RANKS
Those who saw Great Western on the Sunday of
their 40th Anniversary tour must surely have been
impressed by their turn out of 5 or 6 sides dancing
simultaneously. What is the secret of their success
in attracting new - and, more signicantly, young
members, while many sides can struggle for
numbers
There is certainly concern nationally that some
long established clubs could fade away unless
more is done to attract new blood. All three
national Morris organisations are looking to draw
on the experience of those sides that have been
successful in this respect.
If your side has come up with a successful
formula, or even if you’ve tried something that
hasn’t worked, do please let us know. It may be
that some approaches may also be appropriate to
folk dance clubs facing declining support.
MAY DAY
For the next issue it would be useful to publish a
list of Devon venues where sides intend to dance
in the summer on the morn of 1st May.
TWO WEDDING CEILIDHS IN 4 DAYS
Two members of Winkleigh Morris held wedding
celebration ceilidhs spanning the same long
weekend. Rachel, daughter of current Treasurer,
Anne Bendix, held her party at The Old Rectory,
Pyworthy on Friday 10th September, with Sarah
Bazeley and The Watch as caller and band. Rachel
also used to dance regularly with Winkleigh in
earlier years.
The following Monday, at Halsway Manor,
several members of Winkleigh Morris danced for
Mecki and Monty Crook. Mecki was Squire until
50
Newcastle Kingsmen at Sidmouth Folk Week
(photo: Paul White).