Yesterday evening Tyne Bridge Morris practiced in preparation for our first dance out of the season at the Breast Cancer Care 5 Mile Challenge in Exhibition Park this Sunday. We ran through all the dances we thought we might be able to do, in the positions we are most likely to be doing them on Sunday. Afterwards we had a chat about what time we needed to meet, and where, and future bookings. As Bagman it's my responsibility to let people know about potential bookings and make a note of who can and can't come. So that at some point we can decide whether to accept a booking - or not.

"It's looks like it's just thee and me for dancing at dawn on May Day" I commented to Mrs Recorder....

Thanks to Drummerman, our archivist and webmaster, Tyne Bridge Morris is now on YouTube, click on it to bring on the dancing girls!

Yesterday Tyne Bridge Morris met at the Cumberland Arms, Byker, for a half-day practice and our Annual General Meeting. Unlike the recent General Election the outcome was clear and unequivocal. After three hours in the upstairs room going through all the dances we retired to the empty bar. All the patrons were outside it was a lovely afternoon and the beer garden is a south-facing suntrap. The minutes of last year's AGM were read and approved. The Squire gave a short report on the previous year's dancing. As Bagman I reported on our accounts and financial situation. Then we got to election of officers ...

Well the Chick has made her maiden dance-out with the team, and on May Day morning at that ...

Morris and other traditional English dancers on Tyneside will be celebrating St George this weekend in a variety of ways and venues.

This evening (Friday) there will a St George's rapper fest at the Sun in Swalwell where various teams will show off the North East coalfield's own traditional rapper sword dance.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Hexham Morris Men and Hexhamshire Lasses have invitated local teams to take part in "A Celebration of St Geordie's Day" in Hexham. This event is supported by the Hexham Community Partnership and (according to Hexham's bagman) the town centre will be closed to traffic to allow a Celebratory Day of Song, Dance and Merriment. ...