Grimsby Morris News

  • We Are Not Men

    Nick Booth

    At a meeting last night Grimsby Morris Men decided to change our name and our membership policy. You no longer have to be male to join the side; any and all are welcome. As a result we have removed the word "Men" for our name and will henceforth be known as Grimsby Morris. In fact, the side has used this version of the name in earlier days but now the absence of the word accompanies the absence of the restriction. Whoever you are, if you fancy a go at morris you can now do it with Grimsby Morris.

  • The End Is Nigh?

    Nick Booth

    With a bit of luck and a following wind, Grimsby Morris Men hope to be coming out of hibernation in the not too distant future. To this end we have started planning events and posting them on here. Only a couple have been posted at the time of writing (4/4/21) but more are to come.

    Each event posting comes with a smiley to give you some idea of how confident we are that the event will take place. A pale green smiley is a good sign - we're fairly confident that the event will go ahead though we still have some things to sort out. A strong green smiley with a big grin means the event is ready to go. A yellow smiley is used for events which are not yet confirmed and a red one for events which we have had to cancel.

    We haven't yet restarted practice and we'll obviously have to get back in practice (and probably in shape) before we do any dancing in public. Also, it goes without saying that, everything is dependent on continuing rising vaccination numbers and falling infection rates.

  • Covid 19 Again

    Nick Booth

    At the time of writing much of England is in the new tier 4 and Christmas has been drastically reduced if not quite completely cancelled. With the new variant of SARS-COV2 stalking the streets we clearly won't be out again very soon. As a result, as stated in the previous mis-dated news item, we have had to cancel our traditional December and January activities. There will be no 2020 Boxing Day Tour of Cleethorpes, no Plough Sunday 2021 and no Waes-hal 2021.

    On a more positive note, rollout of the first vaccine has at least started so we are going to plan for a less restricted future. We have had some socially distanced discussions and planned, in outline, events for 2021. These events will start to appear on the site over the next week or three starting with April Fool's Day and finishing with Waes-hal 2022!

    Obviously, we can't be sure that it will be safe to dance by April 1st. All of the events will therefore be marked as unconfirmed and will only be confirmed when we think it is safe and the venues agree that it is safe for us to visit, probably when the restrictions on pubs opening are removed.

    Let's keep our fingers crossed for a morris enriched 2021.

    Nick Booth for Grimsby Morris Men.

  • Covid 19

    Nick Booth

    Hello to all our friends.

    Just a quick update on GMM during the current situation. Pretty obviously we aren't doing much of anything at present no dance-outs, no practice and no meetings. All of our events have been cancelled until the end of January 2020. Sadly therefore, there will be no Boxing Day tour for 2020 and no Waes-hal for 2021. Later events are on review depending on circumstances. Events will only resume when it is safe to do so and will be posted here when that happens.

    Stay healthy, stay safe.

    Nick Booth, on behalf of Grimsby Morris Men.

  • Waes-hal!

    Nick Booth

    On Sunday 19th January 2020 the Grimsby Morris Men, joined by Herring Gals, celebrated the 38th Lincolnshire Waes-Hal at the Skidbrooke Cyder Farm. Under brilliant clear blue skies with lots of winter sun we danced and sang, listened to the story of the Apple Tree Man and put toast on the trees in the orchard. Noise was made. Cider and hog roast were consumed.

     

    We then moved onto The New Inn at Saltfleet where we entertained another great turnout with the dancing, singing and a performance of the Kirmington Plough Play.
    Wonderful time with great company.

     


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  • Boxing Day Tour 2019

    Nick Booth

    Another year another Boxing Day. We were a little short staffed and missing Herring Gals but... the show must go on.

    The day dawned dull and breezy but it was dry and not blowing a gale so it was off to the Wellow and on with the dancing. We did a small number of dances in front of a small but appreciative audience.

    Next it was on to the Punchbowl where we started with our now traditional dance in front of the bar. Keep the set tight boys. Then we headed outside and did a a few more dances on the prom.

    Our third stop was at the No. 2 where the crowd was small at first but built as we danced.

    Thence to Willy's Pub. We actually danced on the prom near Brighton Slipway but I'm sure I spotted a morris man or two slipping (or wobbling) across the road.

    Our fifth spot was at Oliver's Eatery / Jonny Donuts. Before dancing we were all treated to a dram of whiskey or tot of rum which improved our dancing no end.

    Finally to the Notts. We danced in front of the pub then went inside for refreshment before adjourning to the Sports Bar for a succesful and enjoyable session of songs.