Lords of the dance

5:30pm Thursday 15th December 2005

The weekly Nostalgia pages in the Watford Observer pay testament to days gone by and fond remembered pastimes and traditions, some of which have disappeared from our social calendar for good. So it is a cause for celebration when we can mention a society or club that has stood the test of time.

On a rainy night in November, the Woodside Morris men put on a performance, as part of Pump Art Week, at the Pump House Theatre in Watford. What struck the audience was the enthusiasm and fun that these men put into the display and the sheer physicality of the dance. One of the troupe's signature dances involves the use of stout sticks, which they whack together with tremendous force, often causing bits of wood to fly across the stage.

Woodside Squire David Lang explained the lasting appeal of the art.

He said: "At least for us, it is probably the chance to maintain the tradition, across different generations. We all share an enjoyment of the traditional-style music and it's just great fun to do, especially with the sticks.

"It is quite demanding physically and I guess it keeps us fitter than we would be otherwise. It is good exercise, with good company and often there's the added pleasure of performing at country pubs.

"Normal aerobic precautions apply, so we do warming up and down exercises and take care to avoid injuries by planning the space needed according to the number of dancers."

Woodside Morris Men have been dancing as a side since 1957, though their roots stretch back further, to the members of the Phoenix folk club, based in Woodside Park, in Finchley. The team is now based in Watford, where they have been since the mid 1960's. The side dances predominantly at pubs in the Watford, Hemel Hempstead and Rickmansworth area, but they travel to other places for special occasions.

This year marks the side's 40th anniversary in Watford and 2007 will mark the half-century of the Woodside troupe.

Woodside convene with other Morris men at annual events, such as the Croxley Green meet on Boxing Day, the May Day 5am, Greet the Dawn, morning in Cassiobury Park, and get-together in summer on Wednesdays at local pubs. They also take private bookings such as RAF/Army displays at Northwood, the Indian Guru Celebration and West Watford Carnival.

Other events have taken them further afield, as guests at Whitby and Cleethorpes folk festivals in past years, on a tour of London South Bank, and also overseas to the Winemakers' Festival at Bensheim in Germany.

In addition the Morris men perform at the evocatively named Wybunbury Fig Pie Wakes in Cheshire.

Morris dancing, it seems, has remained solid because of its cultural roots. According to an English tradition dating back, at least, to Tudor times, men were chosen to join a group of dancers, in something akin to a virility test.

Once chosen, men learned a set of skilful dances and were gradually accepted into the dancing community. Each individual side developed their own style of dance under the auspices of the squire (leader), bagman (secretary), and Foreman (trainer). The Woodside's warrior-like stick dance is particular to their side.

Other Woodside activities include band spots, song spots, plus mumming plays, the old English practice of telling tales through mime. The origins of mumming can be traced back to medieval times when parts of the scriptures or other, more pagan rituals, which were illustrated through gestures, movement, and even a primitive form of line dancing.

"This is a very old tradition," explains David. "Basically, we have revived an old traditional Croxley Green Mummers play, and each year we update it with some topical bits. It is proving difficult to get everybody together this year for rehearsals for the play, but we are developing these types of performance."

The side are always looking out for new recruits, either musicians or dancers, whether experienced or not. They're currently on a recruitment drive, so feel free to get in touch and be part of maintaining an essential part of English country life.

As the Woodside website states, "if you're tempted to shake a leg, squeeze a box, wave a hankie or fiddle about, you're welcome to join us".

Between September and May, the group practice on Wednesday nights in the Colne River Room at the Pump House, Local Board Road, Watford.

Anyone interested in keeping the art of Morris dancing alive can come and watch the Woodside Morris men at the Coach and Horses Public House, Croxley Green, on Boxing Day, Monday, December 26, at 12.30pm. They will be accompanied for this festive event by some guest sides and there will be dancing, mumming, singing and playing.

Telephone the Woodside Morris men's bagman, Tim Rabjohn, on 01727 839266, or e-mail woodsidemen@onetel.com for more information.