Wharfedale Wayzgoose Border Morris Side
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The Side
Here are some members we have lost along the way. If you find them, please return them to us - they are desperately wanted!

John, Sheringham 2003

John, Sheringham 2003

John

The standard greeting for John is "You're my wife now". Try it, go on.. He dances until he can't any more, and then he bangs the drum keeping us marvellously in time - well, he tries to keep us in time but dancers and/or musicians often rebel! The pegs on his hat are for identifying his drinks (or himself when he's had a few).

Ian
Ian, Kirkstall Abbey 2003

Ian

Ian - a man who enjoys the beer and a dance, just don't ask him to sing you a folk song! He also likes to give us all a bit of stick, the bigger the better! Our token Lancashire man he keeps the 'tykes' under surveillance, and does a nice line in red roses on Yorkshire Day! Distinguished by a brace of dead mink (or is it ferrets) on his hat and a nice line in trinkets.

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Charlie
Charlie, Sheringham 2003

Charlie

Charlie is a Northwester with Ripon City (the morris men, not the football team) who wanted some excitement in his life, so he has turned double agent and Borders as well (borders on the what?). He has a bit of an agricultural theme going on with his hat, on which you'll find various bits of farm machinery (not life-size) and cereals (not Kelloggs).

 

Anita

Anita, Alford 2002

(A)nita

Probably the best morris mum in the world - and not just to her children! Has a very posh tent which becomes second home to the rest of the side when we're away, and she's great at seeing to the waifs and strays of the side who obviously need looking after (no names mentioned). Look for purple rags and a ribbony hat and you'll find a great cup of tea!

 

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Mark, Alford 2002
Mark, Alford 2002

Mark - Accordion

Mark is most easily recognised by the rather large accordion he is almost always strapped into. Occasionally Mark can be persuaded (or forced) into doing the one dance he knows but as a rule he is happier behind the box, or singing his heart out with soulful renditions of various well-known folk songs.

Annie up a pole!
Annie up a pole - no change there then!

Annie

Annie is the mistress of the one-liner and the morbid song. Renowned for getting as many deaths into a song as possible, even her jolly songs involve bodies. Infamous for her own brand of tender lullabies, Annie is a regular at singing sessions and one of the 'early' crew. She also has an intimate relationship with a large goose, known as Dirty Gertie (I'll leave that to your sordid imagination).

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Fran, Sompting 2003
Fran, Sompting 2003

Fran - melodeon

Fran is renowned for being unable to keep her feet still while playing her melodeon, to such an extent that she has been seen skipping her way through the set at any moment she sees fit - or is fit enough to do it. For many years Fran was the melodeon player but in the last few years she has gathered some more deranged melodeon types to her side and sometimes gets to do a bit of dancing too.

Sharon, Boxing Day 2004
Sharon, 2006

Sharon

Sharon is a bit versatile and can turn her hand to dancing, flute or melodeon - whichever need is greater. She'll give most things a go and when not dancing will often be found installed in a pub music session somewhere.

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Karen, Warwick 2005

Karen

After a stint of child-rearing Karen is making her way back into the side, complete with drums and small child who also kits up and participates.

 

Jenny
Jenny, Sompting Village Ale 2003

Jenny

The other half of Jenny and Alastair - Jenny can be recognised by the pleasant rural scene sitting atop her hat, and also the rather nice leather jack she prefers to sup beer from. Jenny is also responsible for the lovely smells of coffee which pervade the Wayzgoose encampment on away weekends!

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Irene, 2006

Irene

Irene is easily identified by the flowing red and green plumage on her hat, giving a hint about her Welsh origins (her accent gives it away a bit too). Irene is happiest dancing, whether it's morris, salsa or just jiggling along to whoever's playing an instrument.


Alastair, Sompting 2003

Alastair

Alastair has just completed a stint as Caretaker Squire in lieu of the newest recruit being elected. Known for a splendid performance as the big 'G', Alastair our horn playing master of getting the side web-borne (but he is cleared of all blame for the text so don't sue him), can be recognised by his splendid beard and garden implements - plus the fact he is taller than anyone else.

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Nick, Sompting 2003

Nick

Nick started as a dancer and then some maniac bought him a melodeon for Christmas and the rest is history. You can easily identify Nick by the barrel and beer pump on top of his hat, plus the hops, wheat, pub signs, brewery dray., etc., etc. Nick is also the side announcer - no one ever knows what he is going to say (including Nick) - and is easily recognisable as the man with the big voice, loud box and the best beer! He now furtively moonlights with Oakworth Morris, having decided to explore his more sensitive hankie-waving side.

Joan, Flog It 2006
Joan, 2006

Joan

Another new recruit with a flare for dancing - Joan is one of those surprising people who was quiet to start off with but actually turns out to be very good fun!


Jennie, 2006

Jennie

For ten years the leader of our motley crew was Jennie. The side owes much of its success and status to her hard work and dedication. Look for a hat with a lot of feathers and a drunken figure of a Wayzgoose slumped in the middle still clutching her tankard (much like the person underneath some would say), and kit with a green man on the back (and that's not a hungover morris dancer!).

   
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