Sunday 11 May 2014

THE RITE OF SPRING

 
Something was in the air on Saturday morning.

 
Our village was celebrating Spring and its bounty!
 

 
My lovely sister-in-law tunes up her concertina...

 
...and the Medusa Morris ladies begin!

 
 
 
 

 
It could only be England!
 
 
I explained to my neighbour Mrs W that this is how they welcome Spring in Harrogate. "Must be a rain dance!" she said.
                                                 
                                                          ***

15 comments:

  1. As you say, only in England. What glorious photos and what beautiful dancers. I love their focus and attention to what they're doing - it's as though the rain doesn't actually touch them! Wonderful - and so different from our local celebration this weekend where it was clear that Health and Safety has no jurisdiction!
    Axxx

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    1. Yes you are so right - in fact I hadn't noticed that intense focus until you pointed it out.
      They are positively in the Morris Zone!

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  2. Lady Morris Dancers are so much more to my taste. I love their outfits and their sense of camaraderie togetherness revealed here. It looks as if they may have sent the rain packing!

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    1. They are lovely aren't they? Yet another reminder that older ladies can be active and beautiful.

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  3. I took a workshop in Renaissance Dance years ago. The footwork in your photos looks similar. It is hard! Thanks again for illustrating a piece of English history.

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    1. The steps are very light, complex and dainty and they never put a foot wrong.

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  4. Anonymous12 May, 2014

    I love Medusa Ladies Morris! I used to play in the band for a Morris side and we used to herald May by playing and dancing in Hambleden, Berkshire. I well remember trying to play the violin under an umbrella.

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    1. I wonder what Berkshire Morris dancing is like? Many of my ancestors are from that area - was this Hambleden once in Buckinghamshire?

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  5. The Medusa Morris women are fabulous. Great post Nilly. x

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    1. They are indeed fabulous and also part of a great Yorkshire tradition!

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  6. All this inspite of it raining.Some lovely set of pictures. That first on is well framed.

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  7. Anonymous16 May, 2014

    I do enjoy watching Morris Dancing, so very enjoyable.

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    1. It is fun, I agree. I love the dainty Medusa ladies and also the rather scary Goth Morris dancers Hunters Moon!

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  8. Do love the way that Morris has developed into so many interesting and entertaining forms. It really is fun.

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    1. I agree - see above reply - Hunters Moon are very good!

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