The Morris Federation

The UK's largest association of morris and traditional dance teams

Morris Matters Archive

The official archive of Morris Matters, dating back to January 1978, is now available to view online and/or download from our resources section.

Included in the archive is a special collection of articles written by Roy Dommett, which were originally published in Morris Matters.

Please note that Morris Matters is not published by The Morris Federation and is not part of our membership package, so to subscribe, send a review or other contribution, please contact Beth Neill using the contact form on the Morris Matters archive page.

Festival of Morris and AGM 2018

New Esperance Morris
New Esperance Morris

New Esperance Morris are planning a ‘Festival of Morris’ in London over the weekend of 21-23 September 2018, to coincide with The Morris Federation AGM.

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2018 AGM weekend – feedback

Cecil Sharp House in Camden Town will be the base for the whole weekend, with indoor camping available.

Saturday tours will use public transport within zones 1–3, for which the daily price cap is currently £7.70.

New Esperance would like help from members of The Morris Federation to help them decide on which of their many ideas they should pursue. Download the feedback form and return to Diane Moody.

Dancing for Maud

The Belles of London City
The Belles of London City

On Sunday 1st October 2017, The Belles of London City will be hosting a day of dance to celebrate the life of Maud Karpeles (1885-1976), with New Esperance Morris, Dacre Morris, Camden Clog, and Tower Ravens Rapper.

This includes visiting and dancing in places that were important to Maud and remembering her contribution to folk dance.

Itinerary

12.00-13.00 – Kensington Gardens – Albert Memorial
In 1935 Maud organised the first ever international folk dance festival which was held in Hyde Park. Considered to be a great success she also managed to calm tight political tensions between participating counties by careful arrangements of the order of countries appearance during the parade. After a hiatus in activities for WWII the 1935 festival eventually led to the formation of the International Folk Music Council in 1946. The council, which changed its name to the International Council for Traditional Music continues to support academic research into music and dance.

13.45- 15.00 – 33 Lancaster Gate W2 3LP
Maud was born into a wealthy family. Her father, who was born in Germany was a tea merchant. 33 Lancaster Gate was Maud’s first home. Maud was one of five children, her sister Helen also fell in love with folk dance and married Douglas Kennedy, who later became the director of the EFDSS.

16.00-17.00 – Cecil Sharp House 2 Regent’s Park Rd, London NW1 7AY
Maud was a close colleague of Cecil Sharp. She went on collecting trips with him (and other trips on her own) edited his publications and went on to write his biography. She was instrumental in the fundraising effort to purchase and built Cecil Sharp house in his honour after his death in 1924. After her death in 1976 a silver birch was planted in the garden in her memory, the tree said to represent her graceful dancing style.

18.00-19.00 – St Sepulchre’s Church, Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2DQ
Born into a non-practicing Jewish faith Maud converted to Christianity and was baptised later in life. Her funeral service was held here, in the Church known as ‘The Musicians Church’, which was fitting considering Maud’s great contribution to the collection of traditional material from England, America, and Newfoundland.

If the weather looks dire the event will be cancelled by 10am, with updates on the Belles of London City Facebook Page.

Morris dolls on show at Compton Verney

A doll dressed in Pecsaetan Morris kit
Pecsaetan Morris doll

An exhibition of 45 morris dancer dolls, instigated and stored by the Museum of British Folklore, is currently situated within the Folk Art galleries at Compton Verney, Warwickshire.

Morris sides from all over the country were invited to dress a small mannequin in their kit as part of a project to portray the morris today as a dynamic alternative to photographs.

Why not visit and see who you can spot?

The exhibition will run until 25th June 2017.

Welcoming you to Hull, City of Culture for our day of dance and AGM 2017!

Four of Hull and East Yorkshire’s Dance Teams: Beverley Garland, Green Ginger Garland, Makara Morris, and Rackaback Morris, are inviting all members of The Morris Federation to be a part of what promises to be a fabulous occasion on Saturday, 23rd September 2017.

The day of dance will be followed by The Morris Federation AGM.

All the dance spots will be within walking distance of the historic Guildhall, the base for the day as well as the evening ceilidh venue.

In preparation for Hull’s year in the spotlight, extensive works have been underway during the past year to transform the city. By late September most areas should be completed, with lots of lovely new squares and piazzas just waiting to be danced on.

Among the highlights of the day will be your chance to dance on the unique and award-winning Scale Lane Bridge – the only bridge in the UK where you can stay on it as it swings. You’ll also visit the Museums Quarter in our historic Old Town; Holy Trinity Church – Britain’s newest minster; the ruins of Beverley Gate, a key site in the English Civil War; plus our lovely marina and up-and-coming Fruit Market area.

Please email as soon as possible to indicate your interest in dancing at this event and then download a copy of the editable PDF booking form (also available on the Hull Day of Dance website) and return it by 15 June 2017.

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The 2017 day of dance
thumbnail of MorrisFed Hull 2017 editable booking form
Editable pdf booking form

Thinking of staying in Hull?

Hotel occupancy in the city is at an all-time high, owing to the interest in City of Culture events, so if you are planning to book accommodation, you must do it at your earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment. Find out more information about Hull and where to stay.

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