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Mags Meanderings: From
Som Tam To Mushy Peas
the art of the dance
What wears a jacket that looks like a very bright rag rug,
carries a willow stick, and jangles its’ bells?
The answer is a Grimsby Morris Dancer. Other Morris
Dancing locations are of course available, but the Morris
men of Grimsby have a problem. Some of you will say
that anyone who gets dressed up like that to prance
around in public bashing a willow stick against another
dancers’ willow stick has a problem. But Morris Dancing
has been one of those quaint British traditions since at
least the mid 15th century, although worryingly no-one
seems to know why.
First though a word or two about Grimsby, a port which
lies on the opposite bank of the river Humber to Hull,
and which like Hull was once a flourishing fishing port.
So you will understand that Hull and Grimsby folk have
never got along too well, and I am taking quite a risk by
even mentioning Grimsby in print.
Back to the Morris Dancers. Their costumes can vary, as
can the instruments which they play. Some use swords
instead of sticks, or even wave handkerchiefs around.
One thing they do have in common are the bells strapped
around their lower legs. All innocent enough - except for
the swords - so what problem can the Grimsby Morris
Dancers possibly have?
The answer lies in their sticks, for it seems that willow
sticks don’t last very long. The wood is prone to snap especially when used as a weapon by grown men - and
with changes in farming methods over the years willow
has become more scarce. So the Morris Men of Grimsby
are appealing for new supplies, saying that although
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