OUR MAYFLOWER MORRIS MEN: AFTER LOCKDOWN

It's been a pleasure to learn news of how so many of our local organisations and their members have coped with the challenging problems they have experienced over the last eighteen months. So, it's good to hear optimistic news from Julian Whybra, Squire of our popular Mayflower Morris Men.

Julian says:

'Now that many of the Covid restrictions have been lifted, Billericay’s Morris side has begun to perform again.  After an absence of 18 months we’re a little rusty but we’re starting to practise again in St. Mary Magdalen in the High Street every Thursday at 8 p.m.  We’re always on the lookout for new musicians (accordion, anglo-concertina, violin, even pipe and tabor players), whether experienced or not, and we’ll help you learn the rich and ancient canon of English Morris-dance tunes. 

This is also the ideal time for anyone who fancies learning the dances to join.  The dances are rich in symbolism and beautiful to perform.  Like most things, Morris is easy to learn at the outset (even for those with two left feet) and you should be able to perform about 8-10 dances in your first year.  It is certainly a rewarding and enjoyable hobby, keeping fit and maintaining an English tradition.  In days gone by it was an honour to be chosen to dance: for us it’s still a privilege.

Morris in Billericay goes back to at least 1575 when one of the

dancers, Geoffrey Cole, appeared in a church court for ‘conduct unbecoming’.  Our conduct has improved greatly since.  There’s no subscription and tuition is free.  All you need are two hankies (we provide the stick – you’ll get plenty of that).'

If you’d like to be a part of our town’s tradition, contact the following at :

bagman@mayflowermorris.com  

www.mayflowermorris.com