Last Updated 23rd February 2001
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Meeting at Exeter 10-12 July 1959
The sixty-ninth meeting of the Morris Ring was held at Exeter on the weekend July 10th-12th 1959, at the invitation of the Exeter Morris Men.
Approaching 160 men took part, representing 15 clubs and teams, including (for the first time at a Ring Meeting) the Old Oss Party from Padstow. The other teams were Bathampton, Bristol University, Coventry Junior, Exeter, Headington Quarry, Jockey, Lichfield, Martlet, Mendip, Oxford University, St. Albans, White Horse and Winchester.
The Morris Ale on Friday evening took the normal form, being held in the open on the quay, outside the Prospect Inn, where food as well as drink was available. The dancing was witnessed by the public, and the bag was taken around; there is no doubt that under the particular conditions and circumstances this unusual combination of Morris Ale and public show was far from unsuccessful. There was no attempt to disguise the informality of the occasion and as time wore on some good dancing was seen. After closing-time the men made their way to Lopes Hall, a woman’s hall of residence of Exeter University, which had kindly
[p143 - Souvenir Programme - Exeter Ring Meeting]
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been made available by the University authorities as our headquarters for the weekend. Here the men were comfortably accommodated in single study-bedrooms. The evening had been fine but somewhat oppressive, and during the night there was thunder and a great deal of rain which fortunately abated at about 7.30 a.m.
Seven tours had been arranged, six of which combined in pairs for midday shows and for lunch. The detailed itineraries are shown in the printed programme. Those present are unlikely to forget the impact made by the Old Oss Party on their initial appearance at Chagford. Apart from a shower of rain at Widdecome all the shows were carried through in fine weather.
The mayor of Exeter most generously held a Reception and tea for the men at Guildhall and at 5.15 p.m. the clubs and teams queued up to be announced in turn by the Mace Sergeant, each club Squire then introducing his men to the Mayor & Sheriff & their ladies. After an excellent tea the men passed out of Guildhall by the back entrance and formed a procession to dance (from time to time) the Winster Processional along the High Street to
[p145 - Invitation to Mayoral Reception - Exeter Ring Meeting]
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Rougment Castle yard, Where the main display was given before a considerable gathering of spectators, which included the Mayoral party in a special roped-off enclosure. At the conclusion of the show rain set in and most of the men returned to Lopes Hall for the Feast at 7.45 p.m. It was, however, necessary to hold an overflow Feast for between 50 & 60 at the Horse & Groom, Heavitree (landlord Cliff Bastin of Exeter, Arsenal & England). This was presided over by John Burgess of the White Horse M.M. Just over a 100 men sat down at Lopes Hall, the guest being the Mayor (Alderman C. Woodland) the Sheriff, the Dean of Exeter and Mr. F.F. Brotherton (S.W. Area Representative on the EFDSS Executive C’tee).
After an excellent meal the formal toasts were observed and the Squire then called on Donald Cassels to propose the toast of "The City and County of the City of Exeter". Donald then thanked the Chief Constables of Exeter and of Devon and their officers for their help and indulgence, the University authorities for accommodating us, the Dean & Chapter for inviting us to attended Mattins at the Cathedral and to dance in the Close afterwards, and not least the Mayor for his generous invitation to Guildhall. In his reply
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to the toast the Mayor complimented the men on their excellence of the show in the Castle Yard which he had greatly enjoyed. The toast of the Exeter Morris Men was proposed by Ron Smedley who traced the history of Morris in Exeter from its pre-war origins, and congratulated the club on its achievement in organising such a very fine Meeting. Robert Robins, Squire of Exeter MM, replied, naming Michel Pearse, Dick Davey & Colin Mayfield as bearing the brunt of the work of organisation. He also remarked on the value of having traditional teams participating in ring Meetings and expressed his pleasure that the Padstow Mayers had been able to come. The Bagman then read a letter of congratulation & good wishes from Mrs. Grant (formally S-W Area Organiser for the EFDSS) who was now living in Dublin. This was followed by the account of the Meeting at Colchester read from the Log Book. After a number of songs the Feast was brought to a close at 10.25 p.m.
Forthwith three teams (Lichfield, Jockey & Coventry) with the Bagman of the Ring made their way to the City centre and danced on
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the wide pavement in front of Lloyd’s bank. A small crowd including several teddy-boys soon collected and were obviously impressed; the bagman was kept busy taking the hat round, and dancing continued until the stroke of midnight.
After breakfast on Sunday a meeting of Club Representatives was held, and the men then gathered at Souternhay to form a procession to the Cathedral for Mattins which was conducted by the Succentor (Rev. Jasper), the sermon (a most impressive one) being preached by Kenneth Loveless. After the service there was dancing in Cathedral Close. A sharp shower drove dancers and spectators to cover but did not last for long, and dancing was quickly resumed outside a nearby alehouse. Lunch was at Lopes Hall and this very successful Ring Meeting came to an end with a most enjoyable afternoon show in warm sunshine in the grounds of the Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Hospital for the benefit of the patients and their visitors. The bag for the whole weekend (including sale of programmes) amounted to over £100, and a surplus was transferred to Ring funds.
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