See list of Honorary Life Members and Friends of the Morris Federation.
Eddie Worrall – Friend of the MF (2025)
Nomination by Fee Lock and Mike Everett on behalf of The Morris Federation Committee at our AGM in 2025:
Eddie Worrall’s thirty-year dancing career has been wholly within the Morris Ring, would not normally qualify for the status of Friend of the Morris Federation. However, his contribution to supporting the Morris Federation and, by extension the Joint Morris Organisations, has been unparalleled, if virtually invisible. For those administrators amongst us, invisible excellence is what we strive for!
He took over the Squireship of the Morris Ring, making an excellent Squire and stood in Pete Simpson’s stead when the latter was diagnosed with a life-altering condition requiring immediate and long-lasting treatment. During that time, he built on Peter Halfpenney’s squireship, who brought in women musicians, to alter the constitution to remove the gender of Morris Ring sides, thus permitting women to be members. This meant that many sides who felt their allegiance to the Ring could continue untrammelled.
He has proved a determined and committed scrutineer of the Morris Federation accounts: this is an essential job for all organisations, obviously; however, with the cost of such services generally starting at £500, Eddie’s willingness to hold us to account – pun not intended! – for a respectable fraction (the cost of a quality bottle of gin) has proved invaluable. He has also been integral to our understanding of changing legal positions relating to Morris dancing and unincorporated organisations, although always careful to avoid being labelled ‘advisor’ as, he says, he is not in a position to ‘advise’ us. His ability to make complex legal issues seem clear and unambiguous is remarkable.
He is a man of exceptional wisdom and intelligence, and we are fortunate to have him as our friend.
He was the Saddleworth Rushcart jockey in 2011 – picture taken by Duncan Broomhead.
Michael receives his certificate and badge from Pauline Woods-Wilson at JMO 20th bithday in London in 2023:Save
Eddie will receive his Honorary Life Membership certificate and badge at a date to be arranged later this year.
