Saturday, 5 June 2004

Personal

Care to dance?

[Morris dancers]

For some reason this photograph reminds me of the classic Reservoir Dogs pictures. But the differences couldn't be greater. Instead of calculating criminals, this six form a Morris Dancing group. And instead of striding with purpose and direction, these people are lost.

I heard them coming a way off. You see the black straps attached to each knee? Those hold bells in place, so each step aims to have you believe Santa is just around the corner. The fella with the red pack is playing an accordion. (I guess it at least diverts your attention from the bells.) Over each shoulder is a stick. You'll note they're not being used here to walk with, but will come in handy when they rev up to full dancing speed; thwacking each others' sticks (and each other) seems to be an integral part of the dance.

(Briefly I imagine a Morris dancer going through security at Heathrow. With the bells and sticks and who-knows-what you can imagine some serious questions being raised.)

It turns out today is Morris Dancing day in Woodbridge. "At least three teams, including the Pretty Grim dancers," the local press proudly declares.

This is the town I live in. I never said I understood it.

Posted by pab at 22:43 | Comments will be back later in the year. Please email me instead!