Thigh slapping fun (From Stroud News and Journal)

Thigh slapping fun

With Strictly Come Dancing back on television dancing is receiving more and more publicity. But little is said about England's last remaining traditional dance - Morris dancing. Seen at almost every country fair and May Day revel - Morris dancers have been around for centuries. We sent reporter Sian Davies to a training session with the Stroud Morris group to find out more.

WITH virtually no natural rhythm, a weakness remembering sequences and an embarrassing inability to tell my left from my right, I'm not an obvious choice to try Morris dancing. But having watched the skilful and energetic Stroud Morris in action at a recent farmers' market I thought it could be fun. Armed with memories of my primary school country dancing days as a guide I joined the group, known colloquially known as a side, at one of their Monday night training sessions. Admittedly I had always imagined Morris dancers to be middle aged, cider-swilling West Country men, so when I arrived at one of their rehearsals I was pleasantly surprised to find people of all ages and walks of life - the majority of which were woman - taking part. After the initial pleasantries the men and women split into their respective sides and we began our session. Luckily for me I wasn't the only beginner at the session. Following what can only be described as a 'thorough' warm-up I was already feeling like my fitness levels left a lot to be desired. But when the more experienced dancers treated us to a rendition of the dance we were about to learn I realised I might struggle. Not only were they constantly moving in time with one another and the music but they seemed so fit and energetic - there was no way I was going to stay in time and remember all the moves. Group chairman - known as squire in the world of Morris - Mark Rogers, said: "A dancer told me once it was the closest they got to moving meditation, as they had to concentrate on their position much more than other dancers and know what their arms and legs were doing while following the music - there was no room in their head for extra thoughts." This I soon learnt was true - however luckily for me the women's side foreman Natalie Beswetherick - who lead the session - broke the dance down into logical segments, which I managed to master by copying the lady in front. Although the other dancers were screaming instructions in the vein of 'this way, right, figure of eight, no that way' throughout the dance, I did eventually manage to complete it twice in its entirety - with much praise from my instructor. After the session I had a chat to Morris man Peter Tickner, who is club secretary, also known as the bagman and has been involved in the group since its beginnings in the 1970s. Peter, who was a keen hockey player, began Morris dancing to keep fit between seasons. He said: "I played a lot of hockey in winter, but wanted something to do in the summer that would keep me fit and Morris dancing seemed like a good idea. Stroud Morris was set up in 1976, so have been going strong for almost 30 years. Over the years the group has danced across the country including on the top of mount Snowdonia and have even travelled abroad to perform in Holland and France. Like many British traditions, there are a number of theories as to the origins of the dance - which dates back to the middle ages but its thought it started in Europe. Now Morris dancing is the only traditional dance left in England. Peter added: "Anyone with a basic sense of rhythm can learn to Morris dance - it helps to be fit, but it's good exercise and can get you fit."