For the club to survive for the next fifty years new recruits would be enthusiastically welcomed. Some of the current members are coming to the end of their dancing careers and would like to pass on their skills.
The club was formed in Erdington and, although most of the original members lived in the north east of Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield and Lichfield areas, some members travel from much further afield.
Schools recruitment campaign; Do you have a fund raising event planned, for the Summer of 2010? Would you like the opportunity to have FREE (yes - FREE) entertainment?
Green Mans Morris is a long standing traditional Morris side based in the Erdington area. We are becoming increasingly concerned that Morris dancing is not reaching a wide enough audience. As a result, we are prepared to offer our services to your school free of charge at a fund raising event in the Summer term of 2010, when we would attend and perform a number of dances.
As you might expect, there is a small condition attached to this offer. We would like two or three members of staff or parents to volunteer to join us in the performance of two dances to provide greater interest.
The volunteers would have to attend some practise nights, for around 30 – 45 minutes (practise nights are held weekly on Tuesdays from 7.30p.m.) during the winter season, and be kitted out in costume for the day. It may be that we need to disguise both volunteers and dancers in some way to avoid embarrassment.
 Green Man was directly involved in the revival of the Lichfield dances and was appointed "Custodians of the Lichfield Tradition" by The Morris Ring of England. We lead the Lichfield "Bower" Procession every May.
We practice over the winter and dance out during the rest of the year. Over the years the club has danced at venues all over the country and has represented England on European tours. A revitalised team could reintroduce such visits.
ARE YOU INTERESTED in keeping a great English tradition alive?
If you are young(ish), male, fit, energetic, have a sense of rhythm and enjoy being part of a team, why not come along to a Tuesday practice night and have a go? You will be taught all you need to know! Dancers and musicians equally welcome.
We look forward to seeing you.
BOOK US for your wedding, corporate or social function. (Picture S. Oldhams)
For booking enquiries, please contact the Bagman or send an enquiry directly to the Bagman..
Our music is always played live. Our musicians play pipe and tabor, accordion, concertina and other instruments. Click on the names of the tunes to hear a sample (mp3 format).
Vandalls of Hammerwich on pipe and tabor
Milley's Bequest on pipe and tabor
ABOUT MORRIS DANCING - the short version!
Morris dancing is one of very few traditional English activities which survive from unknown origins way back in history, however, such ritual dancing was almost lost for ever during Victorian times when the industrial revolution disintegrated many communities and traditions lapsed. Were it not for the stone masons of Headington Quarry, near Oxford (having fallen on very hard times) visiting the local gentry on Boxing Day in 1899, to dance "for their supper," Morris dancing may not have survived. A Christmas guest at the hall, Cecil Sharp, saw the dancing, became very interested and spent the rest of his life finding out about and recording Morris dancing all over the country, particularly in the Cotswolds where many villages still had "sides" or memories of former dancers.
The revival of Morris dancing in England became assured by the formation of "The Morris Ring" in 1934 and many men's clubs joined the organisation over the years, especially just after the Second World War. This coincided with a revival of and interest in "Folk" generally throughout the UK at that time.
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The webmaster is Rod Stradling, see www.rodstradling.com.
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