It looks like the next Bagman's Newsletter will be a while away, as we have no printing facilities for those not on email.
In the mean time, here's a short article from Colin Andrews, New Dance Co-Ordinator, for anyone struggling to keep busy in lockdown.
For those of you at a loose end due to the current curtailment of active morris practice sessions and public displays, you are invited to take some time to look at the nationally sponsored Morris Dance Database, www.morrisdancedatabase.org.uk.
The concept of an all-inclusive database was conceived some four years ago to link together, in one website, the wealth of information available on the internet about Morris and related traditional dances through the websites of individual sides, the national organisations, and other sources. The database has been up and running since 2018 and now includes over 1000 sides and 3000 dances.. New features in 2020 include facilities for tune search, adding links to videos of dances on social media sites, and adding other relevant information bout any dance. With a dynamic website, the development is on-going and the content subject to additions and amendments. There are a number of sides, however, for which the information is still fairly sparse. The aim is to get all sides, past and present, listed together with a record of their dances, particularly those developed since the publications of Lionel Bacon's Handbook and other earlier sources.
Many sides have developed their own dances based on existing traditions and many have also developed their own 'tradition'. The database will not include notation but sides can add a link to available notation if they wish. Contributions to the website from Foreman, Squire, Webmaster or any other appropriate person from a side would be much appreciated. There is a downloadable form available on the home page of the website, but even better would be for a side to request editiorial access and add information directly. All that is required is name of person, name of side and a valid email (which will not be displayed or shared with any third party). Comments and suggestions are also very welcome – some have already led to important changes.
The hope is that this website will become a resource shared between the Morris organisations and individual sides. There is the potential to include links to sources of archive material, historical records, etc. - in fact, anything Morris!
A link to the database www.morrisdancedatabase.org.uk from a club's own website would also be much appreciated.
Contact:
Colin Andrews info [at] morrisdancedatabase.org.uk 01363 877216 for general enquiries, comments, suggestions and provision of data.
Anahata webmaster [at] morrisdancedatabase.org.uk to request editorial access or report any problems accessing or using the website