Sun, sand, sea and sociability at Swanage Folk Festival 2009 in Dorset

When I was invited by Exmoor Border Morris to join them at the Swanage Folk Festival 2009, I was flattered but not prepared for the fantastic Dorset weekend of sun, sand, sea and especially sociability that I found.

Joining Exmoor Border Morris at the camp site on Friday evening felt like a warm blanket of friendship being placed around my shoulders and, as I struggled to remember the names of all the people to whom I was introduced and their positions within the Morris side, I was impressed by the friendly laid back organisation that enabled such a large group of people to co-exist together and cheerfully enjoy celebrating English dance traditions and traditional English music in the sunshine.

Saturday morning, bright and early, we left the camp site and headed for Swanage in shared cars to meet other members of Exmoor Border Morris at our first dance venue and there were yet more friendly people for me to get to know. I also discovered the amazing sociability that wearing tatters (the official name of the raggedy costumes Morris sides wear) and flowers introduces into the public situation.

Quite simply, wearing tatters, blacking one's face and putting flowers in one's hat seems to be an open invitation for the general public to smile and chat at every turn. Wonderful! I had so many pleasant conversations with strangers from all sorts of backgrounds all over Swanage during the weekend.

Nevertheless, the experience was not without some pain. Blacking one's face means that noses can't be blown and eyes can't be rubbed, however much they itch, and the feeling of black paint being put up one's nose (to prevent a piggy face) is not an experience I would recommend, however gently it is applied.

Thanks, however, go to ace Morris melodeon musician Anne (pictured above to the right with maestro piano accordion player Martin Hughes) for ministering to my face-painting needs in such a sensitive and understanding way and for helping me, as a new band member, to get the tunes right. I have been playing traditional English folk tunes for many years and know most of the tunes Morris teams play but they change tunes to fit the different dances, altering the A and B parts accordingly, so I was definitely in need of the help I received.

Thanks also to Rosemary, the band leader, who energetically banged on her big drum and generally kept the band in order with carefully directed glances and a kind smile.

I have to mention also, whilst on the subject of pain, that the Morris side procession was incredibly strenuous and seemed to go on for ever. Those who have played a soprano saxophone will know that it takes lots of puff and lips of steel. By the time we had promenaded along the sea front constantly playing Nelly the Elephant for what seemed like at least half-an-hour my lips were on fire and, according to the people around me, my face was glowing puce under the black paint.

However, and back to the subject of sociability, the experience of passing under the arches of sticks and ribbons at the end of the course, provided by other Morris sides, was an experience I will always remember and which would have brought a tear to this old man's eye if I had not already become so dehydrated with the effort of blowing my sax and processing so far along the sea front.

Kind words too also eased the pain from lead Morris dancer Barrie (photo right with Jane and Sue) who said that my soprano saxophone playing worked well, cutting through the general hubbub of the procession and significantly helping them to dance in time.

So on to the Saturday evening. Some Morris dancers headed out for a meal. others to a concert but most of the members of the band headed for the Red Lion pub where I enjoyed one of the best sessions I have been to recently.

The marquee that had been set up in the courtyard at the back really worked well and attracted a lot of excellent musicians who contributed a steady flow of traditional English folk tunes throughout the evening at a speed most musicians present could enjoy playing.

Sunday morning was sunny again and the first stop of the day was St Mary's Church in Swanage where Exmoor Border Morris joined with good friends Foxs Morris, OBJ Border Morris and lots of other folkies in a special Folk Service which was very welcoming and friendly.

As a devout atheist, there were many points in the sermon which I would have liked to debate but, bearing in mind their hospitality, my sore saxophone lips stayed uncharacteristically silent except when I joined in playing my instrument with the other Morris band musicians to support the excellent combined dance sides in their dance performances.

Then on again, with hardly time to catch breath, we were off to play and dance in the sun at the Red Lion and on the promenade until it came time for the mass Morris dance in the sea which proved ideal for cooling one's sore feet.

So came to an end my weekend with the friendly Exmoor Border Morris side. It was a remarkable experience and has left me with many happy memories of sun, sand, sea and sociability.

Would I (featured in the middle to the right) recommend others to join Morris dance sides. I certainly would! Based on my experience to date, I think it could suit anyone who enjoys traditional English music and dance and also enjoys having instant access to a wide variety of new sociable friends and acquaintances.

By for now

Rob

Rob Hopcott - traditional folk and novice Morris musician :-)