About this page
This page contains brief details about the video recording; the video (embedded in the page); an abstract for the talk; links to additional resources; a speaker biography and a summary.
Video recording of talk
Recording of a Morris Federation talk on “Carnivals, Contests & Coronations – Morris Dancing in Trafford” by Richard Nelson held on Zoom on 25 February 2023. The #MorrisFedvideo lasts for 1 hour 28 minutes.
Video
Abstract
This illustrated presentation draws from Richard Nelson’s recently published book, ‘Carnivals, Contests and Coronations – a Social History of Morris Dancing in Trafford before the Second World War’. It considers the origins of the morris dancing in Trafford; the different ways in which morris developed in Altrincham (formerly Cheshire) and Stretford (formerly Lancashire); the context for morris dancing in the 1920s and 1930s and the implications of the competitive aspect; what is known about the format of the morris dancing and outcomes of research that have intrigued or surprised the presenter.
Additional resources
Links to related resources:
- Event details
- 500 word summary
- Review by Ruth Bibby of Rivington Morris (Bolton, Greater Manchester), Lancashire Wallopers, and Camden Clog
North West Film Archive at Manchester Metropolitan University Film No. 5964, Urmston, Flixton and Davyhulme Carnival 1936 which shows Gorse Hill Morris Dancers, from Stretford, Lancashire and other Carnival Morris troupes in the carnival procession. https://vimeo.com/508862055
North West Film Archive at Manchester Metropolitan University Film No. 1154, Wilmslow Carnival 1932 which shows shots of the Altrincham troupe, Ashfield Morris Dancers, dressed in typical Cheshire style Carnival Morris attire, in the carnival procession. https://vimeo.com/576739664
The presenter’s website, dedicated to the book ‘Carnivals, Contests and Coronations – a Social History of Morris Dancing in Trafford before the Second World War’, which contains blog posts with updates on research about Carnival Morris in Trafford and the surrounding area. https://www.shuffleback.co.uk/
Speaker biography
Although raised in the South, Richard Nelson has lived in Altrincham, Cheshire for the past thirty-five years. He has been interested in folk music since a teenager and for many years has played in the trio Nelson Peach in folk clubs around the North Cheshire area and further afield at the occasional festival, as well as for ceilidhs. He was seduced from that world into morris dancing in the current century and dances Cotswold with Thelwall Morris, Border with Bollin Morris, and is one of a small band who continue the tradition of performing the unique Lymm Morris dance. He volunteers as a researcher at Trafford Local Studies where he has contributed to a book and to blogs on local history topics.
Summary
- Title: Carnivals, Contests and Coronations
- Speaker: Richard Nelson
- Facilitator: Pauline Woods-Wilson
- Type: talk
- Date of talk: 25 February 2023
- Date page published: 19 April 2023
- Date last updated: 27 December 2024 (link to summary added)
- Video edited by: Brian Kelly
#MFvideo #MorrisFedvideo #MorrisFedvideos
