Grimsby Morris Today
From 1967 Grimsby Morris were formally know as Grimsby Morris Men, membership of the side being limited to men only but in 2021 we decided to drop the word 'Men' from the name and open up membership to all. Despite this earth shattering change we continue to dance in much the same manner as ever.
Unlike many morris sides GM practice and dance throughout the year. During the summer we don our summer kit and dance Cotswold dances based on the Bampton, Wheatley and Adderbury traditions.
(see Our Summer Season)
In the winter we put on rag coats and dance our border morris dances, which we call Boarder Morris. Throughout the year our public performances often end in a pub where refreshment is taken to the accompaniment of music and song. Around the Christmas period we usually perform a Plough Play, one of the mummers plays originating in the villages of Lincolnshire.
(see Our Winter Season)
GM News
Grimsby Morris Going Strong
Well. We've reached the end of January after a bit of a dicey year in 2024.
We struggled to get enough dancers for several dance-outs due to a rash of illnesses (or was it an illness of rashes?) and moved into the Boarder season fearing that the Boxing Day Tour of Cleethorpes and the Lincolnshire Waes-hal may not take place. Fortunately our fears were unfounded thanks to .... NEW RECRUITS!
Mike and Vikki joined us in mid 2024 and were doing okay and then we switched to Boarder. Fortunately they're both dead keen and picked up several of the dances really well. They also made superb efforts to get their Boarder kit ready. They actually danced-out on Boxing Day and at the Waes-hal.
Beth and Sam joined us a little later but were making good progress on the Boarder dances, so we changed to Cotswold. They are back on the steep part of the learning curve again but doing very well. They were joined in January by Kirsty who will do her second practice tomorrow.
Despite having a number of poorly dancers the end of 2024 and start of 2025 has been better than we could have hoped. The Boxing Day tour went ahead (thanks to Mike and Vikki) and we did two waes-hals. The Lincolnshire Waes-hal moved to a new home at Green Futures, our first visit there in over a decade and good time was had by all. We also waes-haled in North Thoresby where a new Community orchard has been planted and we came to toast the trees and all that jazz. We'll be back at both places in January next year.
With a total of five new recruits we are looking forward to a great summer.
_______________________________________________Saint George's Day
Despite the weather Grimsby Morris were out this evening celebrating our patron saint's day. It was just a short tour. We started with a few dances outside the No. 2 Refreshment Room where it was pretty chilly but at least the station buildings provided some shelter from the Northerly wind.
GM dancing "Bobbin' a Joe"
Shooting the musician at the end of "Beaux of London City"
Then it was on to the Notts where the aforementioned Northerly blasted its way down Sea View Street so it was b***** freezing and we cut our spot short to take refreshment in the Notts along with a great song session in the back room.
The highlight of the tour was Jackie Denman dancing out in her brand new GM hat! She really looked the part and danced very well. Top marks Jackie.
Here we are dancing a half gyp in some dance or other. Jackie front and centre.
_______________________________________________Stan has a re-boar
Over the last fortnight or so Stanley the Boar has been having intensive surgery at a secret facility in the mountains of Waltham. In a gruelling series of operations Stan has had a new cape attached, some cosmetic surgery on his head (a new coat of black paint) and gold leaf (fool's gold) applied to his now gleaming tusks. Internally there have been major structural changes (a new, lighter hard hat supporting the head) to make Stan a bit more comfortable for his driver, currently John Ide. Finally, he has had a complete upgrade on all of his weapons systems (water spray).
After a suitable time recovering the renewed Stan made his first public appearance at the JMO Day of Dance in Newark on 13th April. Here is a small selection of pictures:
Here he is menacing the audience.
And this time gathered together with some other dubious characters
Finally, after much searching, he found his way home.
_______________________________________________We Are Not Men
At a meeting last night Grimsby Morris Men decided to change our name and our membership policy. You no longer have to be male to join the side; any and all are welcome. As a result we have removed the word "Men" for our name and will henceforth be known as Grimsby Morris. In fact, the side has used this version of the name in earlier days but now the absence of the word accompanies the absence of the restriction. Whoever you are, if you fancy a go at morris you can now do it with Grimsby Morris.
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