Table of Contents

The History of Jackstraws Morris (abridged)

Jackstraws Morris was founded in 1977 by former members of Updown Hill Morris from Windlesham in the English county of Surrey.

Until 1996 the side was based in the village of Pirbright in Surrey. The side moved to Farnborough after the Red Cross hall in which we used to practise, was demolished. In 2006, we moved back to Surrey, and we now practise in the Hale Institute Hall, Hale, near Farnham.

The Early Years

Jackie Weller (formally Emerson), a founder member of the side, was very much involved in the setting up and running of Jackstraws in the early years. She has written the following about that period of Jackstraws' history.

Jackstraws Morris was formed in September 1977. The side was founded on limited experience, bags of enthusiasm, complete dedication and no money. The 12 founder members were as follows:

• Jackie Emerson (Squire)
• Sandy Grigson (Bag-person)
• Anne Manley (Treasurer)
• Maggi Laurence
• Angela Rowe
• Pip Paget
• Jill Jackson
• Jane Porter (Fool)
• Barbara Porter (Musician)
• Ivan North (Musician)
• Pete Rowe (Forman)
• Pete Lister

The idea to form the side came from Jackie Emerson & Sandy Grigson and although ex members of Updown Hill, both had only one year of dancing experience and no experience of traditional Cotswold Morris.

We considered ourselves very fortunate when we attracted the interest of two Pilgrim Morris Men (Pete Rowe & Pete Lister) who instructed us in the traditions of Bampton & Bledington which became the Jackstraws two main traditions for a number of years. Pete Rowe gave Jackstraws an excellent grounding but sadly left us after the first year due to hostility from his own side. We were then instructed by Alan Dean and John Glaister from Thames Valley Morris, both Morris Men of many years standing, who were pleased to pass on their vast knowledge of the dance to us until we felt confident enough to instruct from within the side, without relying on outside help. It was based on their instruction of the tradition that Carol Smith introduced the Fieldtown when she became foreman four years after the side was started.

Jackie Emerson had been the fool in the Updown Hill side and as she modelled the side in her own image the idea of a smock for everyone was unanimously agreed by all at the first Jackstraws meeting. The idea of a Surrey Smock was suggested by Barbara Porter who informed us there was an authentic one on display at the Weybridge Museum (and still is to this day I think), and it was from there we obtained the pattern.

By Christmas of that year we acquired five other members, Fran Flint, Carol Smith, Chris Mort (later English), Shanie Hockey and Roger English. Two future Squires in Carol & Chris and a future Bag-person in Fran, and they completed the Jackstraws line up in the first year 1977/78 . The photograph to the left consists of most of those original members. It was taken during the Jackstraws first year.

As I hope you can see from the picture, Jackstraws in the beginning had a Hobby Horse - Daisy (the cow) came along in our third year. The original Daisy was stolen from outside a pub in Thorpe and I think there have been two or three since. The second Daisy was too unwieldy and a third Daisy was constructed in 1987.

Jackstraws Morris first danced out as a side on December 26th 1977 (Boxing Day). The following summer we had a full program starting with May Day (all day & evening) the usual peppering of fete's, ceilidh's & pubs, hosted a Day of Dance, took the side to an enormous rally in London hosted by 'The Women's Morris Federation' (as it was called then) and danced brilliantly in Trafalgar Square supported by Fool & Hobby Horse and the full side went down to Devon for the Sidmouth Folk Festival for the whole week and danced every day. Not bad for a side in it's novice year.

The Jackstraws Day of Dance for years was always held in September (I don't know if it still is [editor's note - it isn't]). The first Day of Dance was held on September 10th to mark their first Squires Birthday and was always held afterwards on the Saturday nearest to that date.

Written by Jackie Weller

Jackstraws' 21st Birthday Party

Jackstraws celebrate 21 years in style!

This year, Jackstraws were 21 years old and we celebrated in style on 20th June in Farnham, Surrey. Braving the fortunately very short-lived drizzle, Jackstraws and 6 invited guest sides celebrated with generous amounts of Bucks Fizz in scenic Farnham Castle before dancing their way around Farnham for the day - not too far away from the many hostelries!! A pageantry of colour, music dancing styles, Cotswold, Border and North West Clog- not to mention strange mascots greeted the citizens of Farnham as we progressed around the town.

The evening started with a slap up buffet meal and a suitably adorned birthday cake, followed by a lively ceilidh with a great band - Junction 24 and Hugh Ripon calling. It was wonderful to see so many past members of the  side turning up to celebrate, including the very first squire of Jackstraws, from 21 years ago. Party spots included Jackstraws dancing a blind stick dance- fortunately using sausage balloons (the most difficult bit was blowing them up!) and Fleet Morris doing a hilarious spoof of Ring of Bells dressed as commuters on our favourite crowded service.

Our thanks to our guests - Alton, Fleet, Pigsty, Rose and Castle, Windsor and Yateley and we look forward to the next 21 years!

Sue Hamer-Moss, Bagperson