Following a display at Standon on May Day 1954 by Cambridge Morris Men , the men of Standon Folk Dance Club thought it would be a good idea if they were to start their own Morris side. They asked Philip Smither, one of the Cambridge men, if he would teach them the dances. Following his acceptance and much practice, Standon Morris Men made their first public appearance as a side on Saturday 24th July 1954 when they took part in an “Old English” concert in the gardens of Standon Vicarage (long since disappeared) with proceeds in aid of Standon Parish Church Restoration Fund.
Standon Morris Men
Standon Morris Men continue to preserve the traditional English ritual of Morris
Dance in this our 53rd year. The black eaglet badge worn on our baldricks is taken
from a brass on the tomb of John Field, who died in 1477. His tomb can be found in
St. Mary’s Church, Standon. Our rush hats are made for us by Olivia Elton-
We are always very pleased to receive press cuttings or photographs for our scrapbooks. We would also be delighted to welcome any new musicians, or men who want to learn to dance. If you are interested, please speak to any of the men, or ring Derek Wisbey on 01920 821779.
Gordon Ridgewell’s Log Book records that the dances performed at this event were:
The Black Joke (Adderbury)
How D’Ye do Sir (Headington)
Constant Billy (Adderbury)
Bonny Green Garters (Bampton)
To quote from the Hertfordshire Mercury 30th July 1954 “The Standon Folk Dance Club and the Standon Morris Men are both led by Mr A C Parker, an assistant master at Standon Endowed School, and they, too, have made a careful study of their subject. On Saturday they were dressed in traditional costume, and much of their dancing was to the music of a violin and an accordion.”
The Black Joke (Adderbury)
How D’Ye do Sir (Headington)
Constant Billy (Adderbury)
Bonny Green Garters (Bampton)
To quote from the Hertfordshire Mercury 30th July 1954 “The Standon Folk Dance Club and the Standon Morris Men are both led by Mr A C Parker, an assistant master at Standon Endowed School, and they, too, have made a careful study of their subject. On Saturday they were dressed in traditional costume, and much of their dancing was to the music of a violin and an accordion.”
The original Founder Members were: Alan Parker, Philip Smither, Ian Holland, Cedric Holland, David Chapman, Gordon Sibthorpe, Michael Jennings, Brian Whitehouse, Colin Weatherley and Gordon Ridgewell.
Standon Morris Men became the fiftieth side elected to the Morris Ring and “danced in” at the Colchester Ring meeting in 1977
Standon Morris Men became the fiftieth side elected to the Morris Ring and “danced in” at the Colchester Ring meeting in 1977
Our uniform has changed over the years. Originally the men danced in “whites” but now wear black breeches. The rest of the uniform comprises white shirts, green baldricks adorned with yellow rosettes. The centrepiece badge of the front rosette is an Eaglet, taken from a brass rubbing from the tomb of John Field who died in 1477. The tomb can be found in Saint Mary’s church, Standon. We also wear rush hats that are much admired, and made for us by Olivia Elton-
In 1991 we discovered a dragon going by the name of Dilwyn, and instantly recognising his affinity with the Morris, we invited him to become an Honorary member of the side. Although not allowed out very often, he can sometimes be seen terrorising small children in the audience.
Today Standon Morris Men concentrate on Coltswold dances from the Traditions of Ducklington, Headington, Brackley, Fieldtown and Wheatley. At Christmas we usually perform dances for charity from the Welsh border counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire. In these we have blackened faces and wear traditional “Tatters” jackets.
Every 1st May we traditionally dance at sunrise ( about 5.27 a.m.) at the pudding stone at the end of Standon High Street. Our first dance is always “Green Garters” from Ducklington, after which we process and dance through the village, stopping for a few minutes at each of the two local hostelries that are both kind enough to open their doors to us. Even at that time in the morning we usually attract an audience of between 25-
In the fifty years since our formation we have had fifteen Squires including the “infamous” Gordon Ridgewell. Many of you will have seen his letters on Morris dancing and other associated issues published from time to time in the national press and other publications. Gordon regularly sign himself as “One time Squire of Standon Morris Men”
Men who have had the privilege of being Squire are:
1954 –1955 Alan Parker (Dec)
1955 – 1959 Philip Smither (Dec)
1959 – 1965 Gordon Ridgewell
1965 – 1968 Desmond Day
1968 – 1972 Walt Tingle
1972 – 1976 Alan Hitchon (Dec)
1976 – 1980 Mike Snow
1980 – 1981 John Fry
1981 – 1983 Peter Hodgson
1983 – 1987 Derek Wisbey
1987 – 1991 Barry Warner
1991 – 1995 Adrian Jones
1995 – 1999 David Pallant
1999 – 2003 Neil Bullen
2003 -
On 23rd – 25th July 2004 Standon Morris Men celebrated their 50th Anniversary with a weekend of dancing and feasting. Guests included Bob Cross – Ring Squire, John Frearson – Ring Bagman, together with many old friends from Lord Conyers MM, Thaxted MM, Helier MM and Saint Albans MM – all Sides that Standon have known and have had a clos relationship with, for many years. Guests also included three of the original Founder Members -