How did you first get into Morris dancing?
I was working in a local primary school as a Teaching Assistant when a friend at the school, who was a morris dancer, suggested I go along to Exmoor Border Morris and have a go. As I'd loved country dancing at school (they don't do that anymore) and thought morris might be a bit similar, I thought why not and I bowled along one evening. I never looked back. That was around 2000.
What is one of your favourite Morris highlights?
That's a tricky one - there are so many lovely memories. I think I have to give 3 a mention.
Firstly, being Squire of Exmoor Border Morris when we celebrated our 10th Anniversary with a fantastic birthday bash based at The Hunter's Inn on Exmoor. It was a fabulous weekend where I met and made friends with many dancers and musicians from, Powderkegs, Stone the Crows, Fox's Morris and Bunnies from Hell amongst others. I'm still friends with lots of them today.
Secondly, the formation of my own border morris side, AngleTwitch, in 2013 and which we disbanded in 2022 after covid. Oh, what fun we had. Small but beautifully formed!!
And, thirdly, dancing with Beltane - especially at Shrewsbury and Sidmouth as an invited side. Both of those were on my 'morris bucket list' so I can tick them off now.
Besides Morris dancing, do you have any other folk talents?
Well, you know when your fingers tap along to the music but you can't actually play an instrument... I decided to learn to play an accordion which is tricky when you start in your mid 50's. I can play competently but I'm definitely not an impressario, and used to play in a lot of sessions and for dancing with Exmoor, AngleTwitch and Bourne Borderers a while back, but not so much now. It's such a big, heavy old thing to lump around - not the sort of thing you can easily slip into your pocket. I'm quite good on the Kazoo, though, which I do keep in my Beltane tatter inside pocket ready for a toot at the appropriate moment!
What first drew you to Beltane?
I knew about Beltane long before I joined them as I had seen them at festivals that I was dancing at myself. I live on the north coast and Beltane are very much based south of the county so I couldn't consider joining them until I retired. I loved everything about them - but guess I was most attracted to their accurate dancing. Dancing 'for' fun is different to dancing and 'having' fun. I have always put performance first in my mind - you can still have great fun, I would say 'more' fun and satisfaction, when giving a great performance than just 'dancing for fun' which is the strap line of too many dance sides in my view. So that was what attracted them to me, plus the great amplified music which was somewhat unusual and a bit frowned upon back in the day. Beltane have always been edgy.
Which is your favourite Beltane dance to perform?
That's got to be Shapeshifter. Beautiful, poignant tune and one which probably evokes the greatest emotional response form both dancers and audience. Having said that I also love dancing Cross Tree and am especially pleased that the 'serge' move was suggested by me. I haven't seen any other side perform that move.
What is the best thing about being in Beltane?
Such difficult questions to answer in one sentence. I obviously like the fact that we write a lot of our own material as alluded to in the previous question. The camaraderie, especially when we go on weekends away - they can be a lot of fun and the sheer variety of personalities, talents and different backgrounds that make up the side. That's one of the beauties of any morris side, the fact that it's for anyone and everyone.
Do you have any favourite sides you look forward to watching during out season?
Well, my favourite sides have got to be those which give a great performance and bring their own style in both music, costume and accuracy. I like all styles of morris if performed well. Some of my favourites would be Earlsdon, Gog Magog and Pig Dyke. I like The Witchmen - they have a nice, controlled style of border and unique musical sound. And you've got to give it to them - Boss Morris have done Cotswold morris (and all morris, I suspect) a good turn by daring to think outside the box but still be disciplined in their dance performance, and for engaging so many non-morris onlookers and encouraging them to have a go.
Are there any particular gigs you are looking forward to this year?
I like to go to pastures new which, this year, isn't going to happen for me but the line-up at Priddy looks great so I'm hoping we're not dancing during at least some of the gigs I'd like to see. And if it's confirmed we're going to Bunkfest that would be great. We've always had lovely weekends there and it's been a good few years, so looking forward to that.
