Trafalgar Square celebration 2 November 2003

One (presumably unintended) consequence of a licensing bill passing through the UK Parliament in 2002-03 was the possibility that performances of Morris Dancing in England might have to be licensed somehow. This put the morris organisations up in arms, and negotiations between the organisations and government went on through 2003. In late summer we learned that the morris had been given a specific exemption from any new regulations, and a celebration was organised for Trafalgar Square.
DDMM were not there 'officially', but we went along with reasonable prospects of a dance. And dance we did, once the rain cleared about midday. First we took part in the massed dancing, and then were given a spot where we danced with Mayflower and later with East Saxon Sword. It worked out to be a really good day.

At the right you see Lord Redesdale who was responsible for pushing through the exemption, addressing the assembled company. To his right is Cliff Marchant, Squire of the Morris Ring (in top hat).

Massed dancing in the square

DD's and Mayflower's spot

The previous five photos were from a special CD of pictures of the day circulated by the Morris Ring © James Barry

Mayflower Morris Men East Saxon Sword

A panorama of Trafalgar Square at about 14:30

Text © Nigel Strudwick 2003
Photos © Jean Doe, James Barry & Nigel Strudwick 2003

One (presumably unintended) consequence of a licensing bill passing through the UK Parliament in 2002-03 was the possibility that performances of Morris Dancing in England might have to be licensed somehow. This put the morris organisations up in arms, and negotiations between the organisations and government went on through 2003. In late summer we learned that the morris had been given a specific exemption from any new regulations, and a celebration was organised for Trafalgar Square. DDMM were not there 'officially', but we went along with reasonable prospects of a dance. And dance we did, once the rain cleared about midday. First we took part in the massed dancing, and then were given a spot where we danced with Mayflower and later with East Saxon Sword. It worked out to be a really good day. At the right you see Lord Redesdale who was responsible for pushing through the exemption, addressing the assembled company. To his right is Cliff Marchant, Squire of the Morris Ring (in top hat).
Massed dancing in the square


DD's and Mayflower's spot

		The previous five photos were from a special CD of pictures of the day circulated by the Morris Ring © James Barry


Mayflower Morris Men		East Saxon Sword
A panorama of Trafalgar Square at about 14:30


		Text © Nigel Strudwick 2003 Photos © Jean Doe, James Barry & Nigel Strudwick 2003