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In the grips of a recruitment crisis, the Helier Morris Men have opened up their ranks to female members to help solve their recruitment crisis - and are even dropping the 'Men' from their name.
The Helier Morris Men - now simply 'Helier Morris' - first formed in 1975.
However, Morris dancing as a tradition has murky origins. No one is sure how the practice came by the name or where it’s origins lie.
Some legends claim the Morris dance is a hold-over from Britain’s ancient pre-Christian past, a remnant of archaic fertility rites. The records themselves first record the Morris dance taking place in the 15th century and seems to have been a popular pass-time for the working peasantry.
The practice has had ups and down over its long history. It was banned by Oliver Cromwell in the 17th century before being triumphantly restored again by Charles II. However, by the 19th century, Morris dancing seemed to have become all but a memory, a folk tradition lost in the mists of a rural past.
That was until a Victorian Folk collector, Cecil Sharp, found himself watching a Morris performance by chance in Headington, near Oxford. Intrigued by the performance, he began collecting dances from across the UK. In doing so, he prompted a healthy revival of this iconic British pastime.
Pictured: The first recorded Morris Dance took place in the 15th Century, but it is possible the practice originates from much earlier.
The Channel Islands joined this revival in the summer of 1975, when the Helier Morris dancers put on their first public performance. The future of Morris Dancing looked bright and full of promise.
However, it seems that those dark days at the twilight of the 19th century have returned.
The Morris Dancing community is now in the grips of a crippling recruitment crisis - so much so, that the Morris community has taken drastic measures to try and whip up some potential recruits.
Pictured: The Helier Morris Men on May Day last year.
For instance, the Morris Ring, the oldest Morris dancing organisation in the UK, was founded as a Men-Only organisation. However, in 2018, these rules were reversed.
For the first time this century, women were allowed to join the Morris Ring. If that was not historic enough, in 2022 it came to light that, for the first time in modern history, there are now more female Morris dancers than male.
Now, facing the same pressures as countless groups across the UK, the Helier Morris Men have officially decided to follow suit. For the first time in its history, the Helier Morris Men are officially dropping the ‘Men’ from their title.
Colin Ireson said the step was taken "following a special meeting to review the side's future."
"Recruiting efforts have so far resulted in three ladies stepping forward - pun intended!" said Mr Ireson. Among them was Acorn employee Tracy Noel, who handmade her Morris dancing outfit by transforming recycled textiles from Acorn's clothing department.
"...But more [recruits] are still needed," according to Mr Ireson.
Pictured: Tracey Noel, who made her outfit from scratch, joined Helier Morris after it opened up to women.
The decision to drop 'Men' at their AGM and was done principally to attract new recruits before the start of their upcoming practice season, beginning on Monday 17 October.
The group is doing its best to encourage as many people as possible, both men and women, to give Morris dancing a go and to keep the rich tradition alive.
Mr Ireson stressed that they now only dance in the ‘Border’ tradition, which is “a rather more noisy and potentially strenuous tradition when compared to Cotswold, which is known to many for its flowery hats and usually white hankies”.
Any islander who fancies having a go at Morris Dancing is invited to the practice session at 20:00 on Monday 17 October at the Trinity Community Centre.
“It’s great exercise and a good workout is promised!” Mr Ireson noted.
For those who might curious, but not brave enough to lauch right in, the group are dancing at The Elms this Saturday 8 October, for the National Trust for Jersey’s Lé Nièr Beurre (Black Butter making) at 14:00.
For more information, you can visit the St Helier Morris website HERE.
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