The Morris Dance Database website, supported by all three national UK organisations, has been up and running for over 7 years, but its founder, Colin Andrews, (Winkleigh Morris & Exeter Morris) has now passed his 80th birthday. Though still active physically and mentally, he is keen to find someone willing to share in the administration with the view of taking over in due course.
BACKGROUND
The original idea arose in 2016, and after some early attempts at creating a website, Anahata (formerly with Old Glory Molly) agreed to take on the task, and the website was launched early in 2018. Various additions and improvements have been made subsequently.
THE PURPOSE
The basic concept was to provide a website with information and links to all Morris activities – later expanded to include Molly, Stave, Sword and Percussive dance. The intention was for it to be essentially self-perpetuating with updates by team editors for the listed clubs. The site would be available both to Morris individuals and groups and also to the general public.
CURRENT STATUS
Over 1400 different sides worldwide are listed, with about 1000 still active, About one third of these have a designated team editor. Teams can be searched by name, geographical location, style, gender and affiliation. Over 4000 different dances are listed about three-quarters of which are Cotswold or Border style. Dances can be searched by name, style, tradition, new or old, number in set, held in hands. Dances composed by a side in their own style are assigned a new 'tradition'. Every side and every dance has its own unique code. Tunes assorted with dances can be searched separately. There are links to the various Morris organisations world-wide, to Morris publications and to various archive material. Notation of dances is not published but links to where notation can be found is encouraged.
THE ROLE OF ADMINISTRATOR
- Response to queries from morris sides, individuals and members of the general public and requests for team editor status.
- Monitoring of Facebook Morris groups and National Organisations for information about new sides & sides ceasing to exist or change membership criteria. Follow up as appropriate.
- Discussion with webmaster of any suggestions about adding to or amending any features of the database
- Preparation of annual report for Federation and Morris Ring, together with request for continued sponsorship and reminder to sides to keep their entry up to date.
It is unusual to have to undertake more than a couple of actions in respect of the above in any week, and there can be some weeks of no active response at all.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the role of administrator of the MDDB please contact Colin directly at bonnygreencolin [at] gmail.com or write to him at:
Bonny Green, Morchard Bishop, Crediton, Devon, EX17 6PG