The Morris Ring held its first ever Virtual Annual Representative Meeting yesterday and it went rather well. The Zoom session was expertly hosted by Peter “Cheesy” Austin, our incoming Bagman which was another first – he was electronically elected, unopposed. Jon Melville and Simon Newman confidently and competently led the very well attended meeting.
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Cheesy (as he wishes to be known, given the number of Peters in the organisation) to the team. Perhaps more importantly, I thank Jon Melville for his sterling efforts over the past half dozen, rather interesting years, a partnership I’ve really enjoyed. It’s no longer a thankless task, as was been witnessed by the collective applause from the assembled 4+ screens of “Zoomers”. There were glasses raised ... and drained. I hope you enjoyed the champagne on ice.
The full minutes will be issued shortly, but I think it important to report on a significant proposal from the day. Following further discussion regarding the continued use of full-face black makeup, the representatives of the Morris Ring member sides present voted to support the following declaratory motion proposed by Charlie Corcoran of Leicester Morris Men.
"Member sides should not use any solid full-face coloured makeup or disguise which could be taken by a reasonable observer to imitate or parody a skin colour different from their own."
The motion was overwhelmingly supported, following very civilised, often passionate, input from those present. A credit to all. All side bagmen should by now have been informed of the outcome. For more information on the use of Black Make-Up in Morris Costume see our Advice to Sides.
The meeting concluded before 5:00pm! There followed some enjoyable un-muted online chat, though not quite as convivial as the usual “retiring to the bar”. It was generally agreed that the session had been a success and the technology could be usefully employed in conjunction with physical general meetings, the next of which will be at our usual venue, The Oak Farm Hotel , Hatherton on 5th March 2022. See you there, hopefully!
Peter de Courcy
Website Editor