ALAN WHALLEY'S WORLD

FORGET about all that Riverdance stuff! In my opinion, there's nowt to compare with a lively, clog-clattering dance routine when it comes to terpsichorean excellence.

And I reckon that Sutton Manor reader Maureen Winstanley is ready to share my view after her recent holiday in Yorkshire.

She took part in Whitby's annual folk festival where workshops were offered for people willing to have a go at singing dancing, story-telling, playing a musical instrument and the like.

Maureen joined in a session run by Horwich Prize Medal Morris Men. She enjoyed it immensely and is now keen to join a local 'traditional' morris dance team.

But Maureen's up against it, because although there is a wealth of local 'carnival' morris teams there don't seem to be any traditional ones.

She'd now welcome any information on nearby morris teams, particularly of the North West Clog and Costwolds variety. And she wonders if older readers can recall whether St Helens ever had traditional morris teams (male or female) and, if so, what became of them.

Maureen, welcoming news of local folk group activities or ceilidhs, says: "It seems a shame that such a wonderful dance form be allowed to die. Who knows, perhaps there may be someone out there like myself who may be willing to revive it in St Helens."

IF you can help Maureen, then please drop me a line at the Star.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.