See list of Honorary Life Members and Friends of the Morris Federation.
John Kirkpatrick – Honorary Life Member (2026)
Nomination by Jerry West on behalf of The Morris Federation Committee at our AGM in 2026:
John Kirkpatrick’s impact on Morris dancing and English folk music over the last half-century can only be described as profound. His unique contributions have fundamentally reshaped how Morris dancing is performed, heard, and perceived worldwide.
John has been involved with Morris since the age of twelve, when he joined Hammersmith Morris. He is perhaps best known for founding Shropshire Bedlams in 1975. At the time, the Welsh Border Morris style was largely neglected and forgotten. Kirkpatrick did not just revive it; he radically reimagined it. Under his guidance, the Bedlams introduced an aggressive, high-energy dance characterized by fast, rhythmic stepping, striking tattered coats, and an undeniable wildness. This bold reimagining sparked a “Border Revival.” Today, the visual and physical language of modern Border Morris across the globe can be traced directly back to Kirkpatrick’s vision in Shropshire.
Beyond choreography, Kirkpatrick also helped revolutionise Morris music. His foundational work on Ashley Hutchings’ seminal 1972 album Morris On brought Morris music into the modern era. By blending traditional dance tunes with folk-rock energy, the album proved that Morris music possessed an infectious, contemporary appeal. His distinct style of playing, marked by a punchy, syncopated lift, showed generations of musicians that dance music must “breathe” with the dancers themselves. Through countless workshops and masterclasses, he has spent decades teaching musicians how to play with the specific drive required to lift a dancer off the ground.
Kirkpatrick has also acted as a vital cultural bridge. By bringing Morris dancing, song, and traditional tunes into mainstream theatre, radio, and television, he elevated the status of the tradition. He demonstrated that English traditional dance holds the artistic weight to command any stage. Already a recipient of the EFDSS Gold Badge and an MBE for services to folk music, his lifetime of enthusiastic dancing, creativity, and musical mentorship encapsulates everything that the Morris Federation celebrates and seeks to represent.
John will receive his Honorary Life Membership Certificate and Badge at a future date.
EFDSS Gold Badge
John was awarded the prestigious EFDSS Gold Badge by the English Folk Dance and Song Society in 2002, see his Citation.
