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| Sunday 23 March, 2008 |
Morris Dancing in the WinterDuring the long winter nights, Woodside retire to the Pump House to learn new dances, brush up on old ones, and generally prepare for next May Day. However, things actually get more interesting in winter, as invitations are received for Ale Nights, Mumming practice (and re-writing) starts, Boxing Day looms closer and arrangements for our own Ale Night start. Ale Nights are evenings where six or seven sides will get together for some drinking, dancing and eating. Generally, the host side will lay on a few barrels of ale, a tasty selection of comestibles, and a list of dances that we’d be lucky to get half way through. Boxing Day is one of the most enjoyable events of the year, especially when the weather is bright and crisp. But more of that elsewhere. But the mainstay of the winter is practice night. The Colne River rooms at the Pump House provide us with an excellent space for dance practice, and conveniently, a fully stocked bar. Our Foreman, Dave Pearse, takes us through the dances he has planned for next year, usually punctuated by the occasional 'Hmmm' or 'Can we just go through that again'. By the time we get around to March, the target is to get Dave to grudgingly say 'not bad'. Then we know we’re alright. Woodside practise at the Pump House from late September onwards. If you would like to come along, please take a look at the details at the bottom of this or any other page on the Woodside site. Boxing DayOn Boxing Day 1899, Cecil Sharpe, the distinguished collector of folk songs, met a group of men with bells strapped to their legs, dancing to a man with a concertina. It is widely believed that this was the spur that drove Sharpe to collect, or write down, all the Morris dances he could then lay his hands on, thus – along with a number of other enthusiastic collectors and teachers – creating a revival in folk dance and Morris dancing. But that is not necessarily the reason why so many Morris sides dance out on Boxing Day. The Morris is linked to a great number of traditions, some of which, like Mumming, are very much associated with Christmas. The reason for sides dancing on Boxing Day is probably more closely linked to the reasons why the Heddington Quarry Men (for it was they) were out dancing when Sharpe came across them: a celebration of Christmas. After dancing, most sides will settle in for a drink, some tunes and a few songs, returning home at some later hour both contented and merry. |
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Morris Dancing is an aerobic form of dance which provides healthy exercise and social activity. Woodside's Foreman, Dave Pearse, is an expert instructor, having trained Morris Dancers, both new and experienced, for over twenty years, as well as being a folk dancer of nearly four decades' experience. During the Winter, Woodside Morris Men meet at 8.00pm on Wednesday nights in the Colne River Rooms at the Pump House Arts Centre Watford. You would be most welcome to come along. |
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