Morris dancers make an early start for a special celebration
Trevor Brooker is the Squire of Boughton Monchelsea Morris.
He is a man who likes to be well prepared for the future so he is already thinking about 2019, when the group will celebrate its 40th anniversary.
Unlike most sides, which tend to be splits from already existing groups, the Boughton Monchelsea Morris was a completely new venture.
Mr Brooker said: “It seems the original members were drinking in the Albion pub in the village, when somebody said: ‘Why don’t we form our own morris?’ and they did.”
Local artist Graham Clarke was inveigled into designing the side’s costume, which soon included a tricorn hat.
Mr Brooker was among the early members. He joined in the autumn of 1979 – but he was not one of the originals. Another early member was Gordon Newton, now the borough councillor for Downswood and Otham, and the owner of the Stone Shop in East Farleigh. Mr Brooker said: “I had my first taste of public performance on Boxing Day that year.
“But the first ever performance or dance-out was in the summer of 1979 at Boughton Monchelsea Place. We have some photos of that event, but not the names of all the members.”
Mr Brooker wants to have the full history ready for the anniversary celebrations and would like to hear from anyone who recognises the dancers, or indeed has photos of their own from those early days.
The side now has up to 30 regular dancers, aged from 10 to 75, as well as musicians. It rehearses in Barming Church Hall.
Although the current side has been going almost four decades, morris dancing in Boughton Monchelsea is much older.
The first historic reference dates from 1580, when both men and women were included. A 19th century tendency of morris being primarily a men’s pastime, with occasional all-ladies sides, seems to have no basis in tradition.
More pictures of the early morris can be viewed on http://picasaweb.google.com/ boughtonphotos.
Anyone who can help with details, should email Mr Brooker on boughtonmorris@ uwclub.net.