Last Updated 3rd March 2001
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The 76th meeting of the Morris Ring, held at Lyddon Hall of the University of Leeds, Virginia Road, Leeds, on Saturday the 15th April, 1961 was attended by men from these clubs: - Burton, Grenoside, King’s College Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Mersey, Newcastle, and the White Rose; and the Squire and Bagman of the Ring.
The day’s work commenced at 11.10 a.m. with 16 men present, who did Jockey Brackley. At 11.40 there were 4 sides plus two; and at 12.30 29 men were present. Instructed by the Squire they danced through Badby Beaux of London City (it being emphasised that the sticks should be held firmly at the shoulder for shooting) Banks of the Dee, Laudnum Bunches, and Dearest Dicky. These same 21 men ate at 1 o’clock in Lyddon Hall refectory. Beer in bottles, in an assortment of lights and darks carefully chosen by the Leeds Bagman, Fred Dossor, helped down an excellent meal, to the curiosity, and perhaps envy, of the vacation residents.
After the meal the men sat in the
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sun on the Union Terrace; and left but slowly at 2.25 to resume instruction in the gym. Peter Lloyd and Harry Fell, of Headington, used Blue Eyed Stranger as a vehicle for instruction in their own tradition. Then followed Rodney; the heys in Haste to the Wedding; and a half hours discussion on changes in traditions.
The Squire then took the Sherborne Cuckoo’s Nest; the men, now 31 in number, did the 29th of May; and at 5.35 p.m. twenty-four of them went to the Refectory for a second meal, carrying with them bottles and jugs of ale. The presence of an equal number of Lyddon residents made it impossible to do the things men do at a Ring feast; and after the meal 16 men returned to the Gym, at 6.15 p.m. These were danced with others; Beaux Badby; Jockey Brackley; Bledington Leapfrog; William and Nancy; and the Rose. Men drifted off (one being fetched by his wife) and at 8.20 the seven remaining, led by the Squire to Bill Barett's piping, danced Bonny Green Garters. The 76th meeting was over; though small in numbers, it had given much pleasure. For the arrangements leading to this, the Ring records its thanks to the Leeds Morris Men.
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