As the humble publicity wizzzard I recently asked side members if they had anything they’d like to chip in to this blog that people might be interested in. Audrey, who also served as our IVFDF correspondent, has kindly sent me this insight into her first year (and a bit) as a member of Red Cuthbert. She saves the best for almost-last:
One of the reasons why I like being a part of Red Cuthbert is how all the members work together… At the heart of the club everyone is caring
Here are all of her words… if you like the idea of finding a side after reading this, check out The Morris Federation Teamfinder to find your local group (though we can’t guarantee that they’re all as lovely as we are!).
My name is Audrey and I have been a member of Red Cuthbert Morris since January 2023. I watched a video of the side dancing in the dark with light sabres and thought “that looks fun, I would not mind being a part of a Morris side that knows how to enjoy themselves”, as well as learning some new Morris dances.
I went along to St Cuthbert’s Hall in Bedford, where the side practises, and was made to feel very welcome. It was not long before I was provided with a raggy coat and a red hockey bag to keep my sticks in. I quickly decorated my bag so that I could easily recognise my own amongst a sea of other red bags. So as to be ‘dance out ready’ all I had to do was get a hat, a red top, and a set of leg bells.
Over the last few months, I have started to learn Red Cuthbert’s unique style of dances which has been interesting and entertaining, as knowing my left from my right is not always easy!
One of the reasons why I like being a part of Red Cuthbert is how all the members work together to ensure that the programme is varied and interesting, like going abroad to dance in Germany, or taking part in the Red Cuthbert annual mummers play around the pubs in Bedford town. Both events were a first for me. At the heart of the club everyone is caring and shows lots of encouragement to helping me to pick up the dances. I believe Morris dancing is both good for the soul and the heart as many a cold and wet night I have to push myself to go to practice but always come away feeling the better for going. Everyone has their favourite dance, mine is the Upton-upon-Severn stick dance.
Recently a workshop was put on where we were visited by a former member of Woodside Morris who instructed us to learn a dance called Captain Lanoe’s Skirmish. The side is scheduled to go to the Ely Eel festival in early May, which I am really looking forward to going to.
