My name is Maddy Morris, and I’m a current undergraduate music student at the University of Cambridge (although I live in Jericho!)
One of my modules this year is ethnomusicology, and we've been asked to write a short dissertation about a project of our choice. And I chose Morris Dancing! (not just because of my surname, but I have to say, it was kind of a clincher...)
My research has been cut short by the current Coronavirus pandemic, so I was unable to conduct any face-to-face interviews. I thought I’d make a survey instead!
Here’s the link: https://mcubed267196.typeform.com/to/H0uZzm
It won’t take more than 15 minutes to fill out completely, and of course, all answers are completely anonymous. Some of the questions may seem slightly weird or obvious, but I had to make this survey accessible for all groups and appropriate for a range of opinions.
Many thanks for your consideration!
Maddy 🙂
Upcoming Events
Icknield Way Morris Men are a nationally known Morris dancing side that perform at festivals, weddings, parties and shows all over the country. We are mainly found dancing in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire, but are usually seen performing outside pubs in the Vale of White Horse.
The Morris has been danced in Wantage since at least 1565 where churchwardens accounts show that 16d was paid for 'a dasson morys belles' and in 1590, 'lyveries' (costumes) were provided by John Eshmond for 4s 6d. The last reference to the Morris locally was in 1885 when the Morris was danced by 'laddes of ye Royal Burgh of Wantage' before the sports began at Lockinge House. Nothing is known concerning the side who danced, but the dance was referred to Cecil Sharp in 1910 but unfortunately there are no records of any Wantage variations of the Morris dance.
We perform traditional Morris dances from Oxfordshire villages. We also perform all dances recovered from the Stanton Harcourt tradition for which we are the guardians and sometimes dance out as Stanton Harcourt Morris. The village of Stanton Harcourt also had its own team of dancers active until the mid 19th century. The main Stanton Harcourt 'man of the morris' however, was John Potter (1813 - 1892) who played the pipe & tabor (also fiddle) for the morris all over Oxfordshire and his skill with the pipe was legendary ("He could almost make un speak!").
Fortunately, we also have many musicians in The Side and can provide all round entertainment for many occasions.
We are always pleased to welcome new members.
"They dance for joy. And joy represents the true spirit of England"
... quote from the Daily Mail, 3rd May 2005
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No Programme due to COVID-19 
Carols in the @AlfredsHead on Wed 18th.... https://t.co/hBAPF7vNs8
Foot-Up Shop
Buy Old Father Beelzebub's Speech for 2019. Proceeds donated to the Charity supported for this year.
Lost Morris - Audio album from English Folk Dance Project featuring Icknield Musicians
60th Anniversary Enamel Badge
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