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STOP PRESS:  All 21 "digital" editions of volume 1 have now be uploaded, together with a fully comprehensive index.

The Morris Federation have updated the Covid-19 advice which we continue to recommend you follow.  Coronavirus-covid-19

We have also updated our own For Sides guidance

For the avoidance of doubt the new Tier 4 regulations preclude any possibility of carrying out any normal morris or morris related practices or performances within the designated areas.

The Morris Ring Jigs Instructional 2021  ̶  what's happening?

PROLIX VERSION (for lockdownees with time to kill)

My last official act.

Today I stand down as Squire of the Morris Ring to make way for Simon Newman to take the reins.

It has been a blast & I would not have missed it for the world except for the last few months of course,but the Norns will have there fun. "Wyrd bid ful araed" as Uhtred of Bebbanberg would say.

From the Squire of the Morris Ring, Peter Simpson:

Greetings All,

The last few months have been ‘interesting’ to say the least. While we may not have been dancing there has been plenty going on. As you will have noticed one of these is the black face paint issue. So, how come we are where we are? I hope these messages answer a lot of your questions. I don’t expect they will answer all of them but please read them in full and take some time to consider what message I and the other officers are trying to convey.

Next Tuesday we at Screen Archive South East, in collaboration with our partners at the West Sussex Record Office, will make available a variety of archives, which we think will greatly interest you and your members. Through our portal, called West Sussex Unwrapped, we will present a smashing film that features an epic festival of Morris Dancing through the sleepy streets of Horsham in 1989, while the West Sussex Record Office blog will feature records, photos and historical information about Morris Dancing in West Sussex.

This matter has been under review for some years, with statements and advice to sides being issued by successive squires.

These have increasingly asked sides to consider their continued use of such face make up, the effect it has on their audience, the safety of their side members, and what alternatives could be used to achieve the same effect.  Many member sides have heeded this advice and stopped using it.

The issue has however remained under constant review by the officers because although it has a complex and uncertain history, it is perceived by some as racist.