Flagcrackers of Craven

THE Flagcrackers of Craven are among many thriving morris sides condemning the scaremongering of the Morris Ring who announced to the national press last week that the tradition is in danger of dying out.

Of the 37 strong Border side who are based in North Yorkshire, 24% are children and teenagers, with 41% under 45.

Squire (Chairman) Kevin Andrews explains “The side is going from strength to strength and it is ludicrous to say that morris is in danger of dying out. We travel all over the country – and Europe – to dance at festivals and other events in the company of many morris sides who, like us have youngsters taking an active part both dancing and in the band.”

The Flagcrackers of Craven are members of The Morris Federation and are a ‘mixed’ side, which bookings organiser, or ‘Bag’, Anna Foster believes is the secret of morris living on. Mixed sides celebrate the dance tradition with the involvement of women, which means the activity becomes a family hobby and are open to the introduction of new dances alongside those that have been performed traditionally for years. The Morris Ring, by contrast is limited to teams whose members believe that it should be the province of men only.

We travel all over the country – and Europe – to dance at festivals and other events in the company of many morris sides who, like us have youngsters taking an active part both dancing and in the band.

Kevin Andrews - Flagcrackers of Craven

Anna dances in the side along with her teenage daughter Aisha and younger sister India, while husband Nigel plays in the band and toddler Izzy May watches in full mini kit from her pushchair. “To be able to involve the whole family in the same hobby – and one which involves low impact exercise is fantastic”, she explains. “We all have our own hobbies as well, but this at least brings us altogether once a week for practise and then for whole weekend dance-outs during the summer.”

Aisha is just one of four teenagers in the team, including two boys, one of whom manages to squeeze in dancing alongside football and cricket fixtures, badminton and his XBOX. The black faces and energetic stick brandishing flamboyance of The Flagcrackers bears little relation to the handkerchief waving tradition of the Cotswold sides which form just one aspect of morris and these youngsters know there is certainly nothing soft about it.

Opportunities to travel and experience other cultures are part and parcel of being a member of The Flagcrackers of Craven and 2009 promises to be a busy year for the team, with invitations to dance as far afield as Lithuania and Prague.

With members ranging from 4 to 70+ years of age, the Flagcrackers welcome new dancers and musicians to join the side, which meets at Farnhill old post office, between Skipton and Keghley on Wednesday evenings from 8pm.

For further information on joining the side, or booking The Flagcrackers of Craven to entertain at an event, contact 01282 775026.