The other night, an evangelical morris dancer tried to tempt me into joining his troupe, or ‘side’ to use the correct parlance. Bizarre though the offer was if not more than a little disturbing, I politely declined. I had, after all, spent the previous hour or so trying to suppress a giggling fit the like of which I haven’t experienced since I was 9 years old.

Apparently, the fine art of morris dancing is not being taken up by the young folks. So as the older morrismen hang up their staves and bells and retire, there’s a distinct lack of young blood moving up the ranks to replace them.

I’m puzzled to understand why; hanging round with 8 mates who wear identical clothes, listening to repetitive music, then jumping round hitting each other with sticks outside a pub seems to be tailor-made for teenagers.

So come on youth, step forward and take up the morris mantle. Find your local crew and wave your hankies in the air like you just don’t care here

Antony Alton – Manchester Freelance Copywriter