Exeter Morris Men to welcome women!

Equality breaks out at dance troupe

A morris dancing group in Devon is breaking with tradition and inviting women to join.

In a historic move, Exeter Morris Men will now be known as Exeter Morris, and is inviting the females of the species to join up.

They will still dress is funny clothes, wave hankies, put bells on their knees, and bang sticks together.

And they'll have a good time doing so, as do the spectators watching.

They say they're keen to maintain the traditions of morris dancing and preserve its history. Except now women can take part too.
 
The morris dancing season, for there is such a thing, is now over, but it is a time when many morris sides recruit new members to strengthen their teams.

The renamed Exeter Morris say: "Go to any summer fete, fair or countryside gathering and you’re likely to see that these flamboyant performers will still form a major part of the day’s activities; definitely a tradition that should not be allowed to fade away.
 
Exeter Morris is inviting anyone who has ever enjoyed watching Morris dancers to come along and try it out for themselves. The side is hosting a couple of Morris dancing ‘Taster Evenings’, 7:30 p.m. on Thursday 29 September and Thursday 13 October, at Ide Memorial Hall.
 
John Armstrong, squire of Exeter Morris, said: "We provide the sticks, but you might want to bring your own hankies.”
 
Exeter Morris is the oldest established side in Devon, formed in 1951. They dance the traditional Cotswold style of morris dancing and their current dancers are aged from their 30s upwards, so younger members will be particularly welcome.
 
Foreman Graham Wood said, “We often have people tell us they’ve thought of trying Morris Dancing but have never got round to it. Well, if you tap your feet listening to music, we should be able to teach you to Morris Dance.”