Morris dancing is not just for men (From The Oxford Times)

Morris dancing is not just for men

11:17am Friday 26th June 2009 in

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WITH dances such as Lads o’ Bunchum and Jockey to the Fair, the age-old English tradition of Morris dancing is part of the furniture of many towns.

However, a group of six ladies — the minimum number to carry on performing — are appealing for help to keep the colourful dancing alive in Witney.

For almost 30 years, Queen Emma’s Morris has performed at fetes and fairs, danced on village greens and demonstrated its moves to groups.

But now it is feared that the all-woman group will not be able to continue if numbers drop any lower.

Morris dancer Dorothy Allen, of Witney, said: “We don’t want it to pack up as it would be such a shame, especially as it is the 30th year coming up next year.”

The group was formed by the wives of the Ducklington Morris Men, with the women-dancers historically wearing the Morris men’s colours of yellow and purple — lilac and laburnum — on their waistcoats, trousers and ribbons.

Today, the dancers wear all-white, with a jade waistcoat and ribbons of jade, white, purple and yellow.

Their traditions are in the style of Bledington, Adderbury and Fieldtown (now known as Leafield) villages, using hankies and sticks.

They perform the traditional Cotswold dances for the area, using bells while dancing.

Other forms are Border Morris — where dancers paint their faces black or other colours — and North West, where Morris men and women wear clogges.

Queen Emma’s Morris is accompanied by a melodeon — a musical instrument similar to an accordion — but because of the small size of the group, other instruments, such as a drum and penny whistle, can not be used.

Although many are surprised to see the group of women dancing in the male-dominated tradition, all-female groups have been around since at least 1679.

Mrs Allen, 63, joined the group 22 years ago, as her husband, David, was a member of the Ducklington Morris Men.

She has taught children the dance for the past ten years at various primary schools in Witney.

The mother-of-three said: “I have had two hip replacements, and it has kept me going. I am better now than I have been for a while.”

Karen Shooter, an aircraft technician at RAF Brize Norton, has danced with the group for the past five years.

The Carterton mother-of-one said: “I had just moved to the area and wanted to meet new people.

“I find it keeps your mind and body active. You can get fit by dancing — it’s more interesting than a gym.”

Morris dancing is also renowned for its social gatherings.

Every winter, each side holds an ales party in the hall they practice in, and invite other groups to dance, eat and drink with them.

The first events in the Morris calendar are in the spring, with Queen Emma’s Morris dancing at Cogges Farm Museum or during the fritillary festival in Ducklington.

Mrs Allen said: “We are asked to do lots of weird and wonderful things, including demonstrate to Guides and Brownies.”

Ms Shooter, 38, said: “Last year, we probably did about 12 events, but we would like to get out for about 20 things.”

Mrs Allen added: “When there is more of us, when somebody can’t do something somebody else usually can. But we have to have six for a session, and people all have lives, so we can’t do all of the events we would like to.”

To find out more about Queen Emma’s Morris — which practises at Ducklington village hall every Wednesday at 8.15pm — call 01993 840320, or visit queenemmas.co.uk