Belly Morris Raindance?

First posted November 2009

This evening I’ve been to Mrs Mobilephone’s house for a Sandgate Morris ‘bring and share’.   

Sandgate Morris ran from 1978 until 1998 when the remaining members decided to join forces with Tynebridge Morris.  The Tynebridge kit and name was kept but the garlands and most of the dances were Sandgate’s.  About once a year we old Sandgaters manage to get together.   

We each bring a plate or dish of something, and possibly a bottle as well, and spend the evening eating, drinking, reminiscing, gossiping and catching up on the latest developments in our various parts of the forest.

“Do you know?” said Pearl “There’s a women’s team now that combines morris and belly dancing.”

“You what?” I said “What do they wear?”

“Oh the full belly dance rig out.  Whatever size they are they wear the full rig out.”

“I’ve seen them too” said Mrs French “Young and old big or little they expose some flesh.   

Some of them expose a bit too much flesh if you ask me.”

“And they have the head-dresses too”  said Pearl

“They seem to favour feathers if I remember” added Mrs French

“Oh yes” agreed Pearl “ a lot of birds have been sacrificed …”

“But what do they dance?” asked Mr Pearl (who obviously hadn’t witnessed this phenomenon).

“Morris and belly dancing” replied his wife

“At the same time?”

“Yes”

“No wonder there’s been so much bluddy rain.”