We are over the moon to bring you exciting news of Royal Recognition for our very own Fee Lock. Plus an update on UNESCO ICH (Intangible Cultural Heritage) – now called ‘Living Heritage’, and the latest on our Days of Dance and events from other organisations.
Royal Recognition for Fee Lock
Fee Lock was invited to attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace for her “Outstanding contribution and services to morris dancing and Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green” on 14th May 2025. Fee is an Honorary Life Member and past Secretary of the Morris Federation for 22 years, as well as current Secretary for the Joint Morris Organisations (JMO).
A longer article will be in a future FedExtra magazine.
Days of Dance!
A quick reminder of our 50th Anniversary Days of Dance this year, open to Morris Fed teams, with booking deadlines:
- Exmouth – Sat 19th July – MF 50th DoD – hosted by Grimspound Border. 38 teams booked! Enquire about last minute spaces.
- Stoke-on-Trent – Sat 6th September – MF 50th DoD – hosted by Domesday Morris. Bookings open!
- Sheffield – Sat 27th September – MF 50th DoD then AGM, plus weekend activities – hosted by Sheffield City Morris, Pecsaetan, and Five Rivers Morris. 36 teams booked! Enquire about last minute spaces.
Morris Federation 50th Anniversary Badges
£1 Each - GET YOURS NOW!
Along with the 50th Anniversary comes a selection of metal badges. In coloured enamel on a gold background, and available in red, purple, blue, green or black, to match your team’s colours. Order a badge via the button below, or look out for members of the Morris Fed Committee at our 50th Anniversary events who will be happy to sell you one.
Badges will be available to purchase with cash at Exmouth, on the 19th July 2025, via our Committee members who you will find with Worthing Larks, Enigma, and Mendip Morris.
FedExtra Magazine Spring / Summer - DELAYED
Unfortunately, due to a software issue, the Spring/ Summer 2025 edition of our FedExtra magazine is going to be slightly delayed in reaching your inboxes. Thank you to everyone who sent in content / articles for this edition, we are very grateful, and please rest assured your submissions will still appear in this edition once it is published.
UNESCO ICH (Living Heritage) - The Latest
The JMO was, unfortunately, unsuccessful in our application to become a Community Support Hub, which are being established in order to support communities who wish to write a submission to become recognised as an ICH. These Community Support Hubs will be announced soon, and submissions will be open for about 4 months from this Autumn.
Competitions:
- Young Creatives competition for those interested in choreography for those aged 16-20, deadline 31st July, by One Dance UK.
- John Gasson Jig Competition 2025 – Sidmouth Folk Festival, Sunday 3rd August at 15:00.
- Cliff Barstow Jig Competition 2025 – Whitby Folk Week, Tuesday 19th August at 16:30.
Events:
- Folk Camps 2025 – throughout the summer.
- Illustrious Order of Fools and Beasts Unconvention 2025 – Otley, West Yorkshire, 24th – 26th October. Book by 10th October.
- DERT (Dancing England Rapper Tournament) 2026 – Sat 18th April. Save the date.
In the Media
Seen recently …
- BBC iPlayer – Charlie Cooper’s Myth Country: Winter Solstice (29mins), featuring Boss Morris, available until Dec 2025
- BBC iPlayer – The Repair Shop, Series 14 Episode 9 March 2025 (58 mins) featuring step dancing from Cromer Lifeboat Crew at 33:18 & 52:39
- ITV News – Why Morris dancing troupes in Bedfordshire are trying to attract younger members (6 mins) 24th Dec 2024
