NORTH KENT: Morris dancing is 'a lot of fun'

After a school cancelled a performance by morris dancers over fears their blackened faces might cause offence, DAVID MILLS looks at why the English tradition is still celebrated.

MORRIS dancing has been around for centuries, dating back to before Shakespeare’s time.

The Hartley Morris Men, who frequently tour Dartford and Gravesham, are one of the oldest sides in Kent, founded in 1934.

One of their members, Martin Harris, who plays the role of the Fool, says young people need to become interested in morris dancing, to keep the ancient tradition alive.

The 62-year-old said: “It’s about continuing one of our oldest traditions.

“It was something farmers would do originally as a form of religious request, watered down into a form of entertainment.

“We need more young people to tear themselves away from the seduction of the computer, grab the baton of our cultural heritage and enjoy keeping our oldest dance tradition going for future generations.”

But two weeks ago, another group called the Motley Morris team, was due to perform at Chantry Primary School in Ordnance Road, Gravesend, only for the school to cancel.

It was felt the dancers’ blackened faces could cause offence.

Motley’s secretary, Jim Snelling, says almost half of all morris dancing teams use face paint, but not always black.

He said: “We were rather disappointed, they could have investigated why we had black faces.

“This is the tradition we dance, we have not experienced this before.

“It could have sparked an interest in English traditions, that was the point of the show the school was putting on.”

The school apologised saying it was a difficult decision, but that the performance could have caused offence.

At one point every village in the country would have had a morris dancing team.

It was something local people could do to get together and enjoy with their friends and families.

Now there are 21 sides in the north Kent area.

Mr Harris said: “Morris dancing and singing are synonymous with an escape back to basic simple living away from the stresses of today’s world and that’s why it’s so enjoyable.

“It’s a very social thing, it’s a lot of fun, a lot of good exercise.

“When you do it there’s an enormous pleasure in doing individual dances and bringing fun and entertainment to people.”

The Motley Morris practise every Wednesday at Hawley Pavilion, Hawley Road, Dartford.

For more information call Mr Snelling on 07766 237564 or visit motley-morris.co.uk

Hartley Morris Men, based in Wrotham, can be contacted on 01622 871167 or by visiting hartleymorrismen.org.uk

TYPES OF MORRIS DANCING

• Cotswold - dancers, often including a Fool or animal character, usually wear a white shirt and white trousers, and dance with handkerchieves, sticks and bells.

• Border - from the Welsh border counties, dancers disguise their faces with black face paint and often clash heavy sticks. The leader uses a whip and whistle to instruct the dancers.

• North West - from north Cheshire and Lancashire, dancers wear clogs and perform a type of stepping dance.

• Molly - from East Anglia, dancers blacken their faces, but don’t use sticks, handkerchieves or bells. Performances involve lots of shouting, facepaint and bright clothes.

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