15,000 people targeted in Morris Dancers' recruitment bid (From Burnham & Highbridge Weekly News)

15,000 people targeted in Morris Dancers' recruitment bid

3:00pm Thursday 31st January 2008

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A MASS recruitment drive will see thousands of people across Somerset urged to try out the country's oldest and most traditional form of dance following fears over its future.

Local Morris Dancing side, the Chalice Morris Men - featured in a special Weekly News report last year - is targeting 15,000 residents from Sedgemoor through to North Somerset in a bid to gain new recruits.

The dancers are so concerned about dwindling numbers that not only has the major operation been launched, but a teaching programme has also been established for prospective members.

Chalice Morris Men expert and former squire Bob Cross will be leading the weekly sessions at the Parish Hall in Brent Knoll on Thursday evenings.

He said: "This is the first time to my knowledge that recruitment like this has been attempted on such a scale. Not only has Morris Dancing had a bad press in the past, but, despite being England's oldest form of traditional dance, it is not well supported by arts organisations.

"Despite numerous requests the only people to help with this recruitment drive have been the Burnham and Highbridge Town Council, which gave us £50."

The lack of interest in the pastime has forced the team to plough well over £1,000 of their own money into the campaign, which could see Morris sides branch out into other areas of the country.

Current squire, a traditional term for chairman, Mike Rossiter from Bridgwater believes people should be pulling out the stops to save traditional art forms like Morris Dancing from the scrap heap.

He said: "We need to value the commitment of both dancers and musicians in keeping this tradition alive, and we should use our resources to pass the tradition on to a new generation."

The 600-year-old activity is world famous yet undervalued in England and receives very little support from art bodies and councils. For more information on Morris Dancing visit www.chalicemorris.org, or call Bob Cross on 01934-632850.

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