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Flagcrackers AGM 2009
The Annual General Meeting of The Flagcrackers of Craven last week reported another successful year. The distinctive black-faced border morris side had received 45 event invitations for 2009 of which the team had attended 15. Nine of the events attended were weekends away, including prestigious folk festivals such as Upton and Evesham.
Squire Kevin Andrews reported that his debut year had been an enjoyable one and thanked the team for their support. After ten years in the role of Treasurer, Joan Ibbotson handed the purse strings to Gillian Hallam, but continues in the role of Baldrick (assistant to the Squire) and Foreperson responsible for planning the dance schedule and instruction at both performance and practise.
The side were grateful to have qualified for a community grant of £400 from Craven District Council towards clog and kit costs in recognition of the morris side’s supporting entertainment at local events such as the Puppet Festival and the Yuletide fairs.
2010 promises to be another busy year for the team, with international invitations to dance as far afield as Prague.
With members ranging from 11 to 70+ years of age, the Flagcrackers welcome new dancers and musicians from all over the county to join the side, which meets at Farnhill old post office on Wednesday evenings from 8pm.
For further information on joining the side, or booking The Flagcrackers of Craven to entertain at an event, contact 01282 775026.
Flagcrackers of Craven – further information and royalty free images available from www.flagcrackers.co.uk
Media contact: Jane Ellison-Bates, Manifest Marketing Ltd. – 01756 751975 or email: jane@manifestmarketing.co.uk
Dance season off to a cracking start
The Flagcrackers of Craven will be beginning their 2009 dance-out season in the traditional fashion, with an Easter dance-out in Skipton on Easter Monday.
The Border morris team with their characteristic blackened faces will be brandishing their sticks and tatters around the town, with dance spots throughout the day outside the town hall, by the canal basin and in Victoria Square to entertain visitors and locals alike.
On Saturday 4th April the team will also be providing the music and entertainment along with members of popular dance band Spinning Jelly for a family ceilidh at Farnhill village institute (the former post office), in order to help the community raise funds for the venue which hosts their weekly practise night.
The side, featuring a broad spectrum of ages from toddlers to septuagenarians, travel from as far as away as Leeds, Lancashire and the Dales to meet every Wednesday evening at the hall at 8pm to learn new dances and practise old ones ready for their busy summer schedule of dance outs at events and festivals around the country.
The event is open to all, with tickets available on the door and potential new members – dancers or musicians are invited to attend for a flavour of the Flagrackers.
Morris youth live and cracking in Craven 13/1/09
The Flagcrackers of Craven are among many thriving morris sides condemning the scaremongering of the Morris Ring who announced to the national press last week that the tradition is in danger of dying out.
Of the 37 strong Border side who are based in North Yorkshire, 24% are children and teenagers, with 41% under 45.
Squire (Chairman) Kevin Andrews explains “The side is going from strength to strength and it is ludicrous to say that morris is in danger of dying out. We travel all over the country – and Europe – to dance at festivals and other events in the company of many morris sides who, like us have youngsters taking an active part both dancing and in the band.”
The Flagcrackers of Craven are members of The Morris Federation and are a ‘mixed’ side, which bookings organiser, or ‘Bag’, Anna Foster believes is the secret of morris living on. Mixed sides celebrate the dance tradition with the involvement of women, which means the activity becomes a family hobby and are open to the introduction of new dances alongside those that have been performed traditionally for years. The Morris Ring, by contrast is limited to teams whose members believe that it should be the province of men only.
Anna dances in the side along with her teenage daughter Aisha and younger sister India, while husband Nigel plays in the band and toddler Izzy-Mai watches in full mini kit from her pushchair. “To be able to involve the whole family in the same hobby – and one which involves low impact exercise is fantastic”, she explains. “We all have our own hobbies as well, but this at least brings us altogether once a week for practise and then for whole weekend dance-outs during the summer.”
Aisha is just one of four teenagers in the team, including two boys, one of whom manages to squeeze in dancing alongside football and cricket fixtures, badminton and his XBOX. The black faces and energetic stick brandishing flamboyance of The Flagcrackers bears little relation to the handkerchief waving tradition of the Cotswold sides which form just one aspect of morris and these youngsters know there is certainly nothing soft about it.
Opportunities to travel and experience other cultures are part and parcel of being a member of The Flagcrackers of Craven and 2009 promises to be a busy year for the team, with invitations to dance as far afield as Lithuania and Prague.
With members ranging from 4 to 70+ years of age, the Flagcrackers welcome new dancers and musicians to join the side, which meets at Farnhill old post office, between Skipton and Keghley on Wednesday evenings from 8pm.
For further information on joining the side, or booking The Flagcrackers of Craven to entertain at an event, contact 01282 775026.
Flagcrackers of Craven A.G.M. Nov 5 2008
at Farnhill Village Hall.
Meeting commenced 8.20 pm
Apologies from Keith & Laurie (who was present but said he apologised anyway) .Nigel said he was sorry that he had come to the meeting. Apologies accepted.
Kevin and Joan argued as soon as the meeting started, - about a spelling mistake; Things can only get worse!
Minutes distributed, read, and accepted. George said could we have more time to read the minutes next year? Annie said she would do her best, whatever that means .
Squire's Report, Not initially available due to a serious senior moment. George did a ladle dance until the mislaid document was found.
Chris ( who had very attractive pieces of firework in her hair) gave thanks to the side for making her third year as squire very enjoyable. The Federation /20th Birthday weekend was a great success as were Old & New dance outs especially Upton Evesham Durham etc etc etc .Special thanks to the other officers who helped to pull everything together. To Anna for her brilliant organization of the Bag, to Hilary for the dancing stuff and to Linda for publishing things. There was a special mention for Kevin H for looking after the sticks & to Gillian for looking after his trolley(s) Chris however felt that 3 years was enough for anyone and so would like to pass the post on to somebody else. At this point we had what is officially known as an interregnum power vacuum.
The Squires T Shirt was then presented (by throwing) to Kevin A , who accepted it even though it's so small he can only wear it as a hat.
Chris was about to wind up the meeting at this point when she was reminded that she had missed out all the other officers reports.
Baldrick's Report . Baldrick said her and Mr Baldrick hadn't done much this year but hoped to do more.
Bag's Report Anna said she had enjoyed the job, and the year's events.
Foreperson's Report. Hilary said she would like to be known as Foreman and hoped this would not upset any persons.
Foreman's Report. Hilary said thanks for electing me even though I was 1000's of miles away. She had enjoyed the job and was pleased more people were calling the dances – her most surprising task however had been to do up the Squire's bra which she never realized was part of the job.
Treasurers Report. Titus Purseus aka Joan said that even though she has a new house the side is still in credit. The hall rent will probably increase next year and we have had no paid bookings recently; also we have slightly fewer members. In spite of this funds are only£100 down so we are not broke yet
Musical Directors Report : George said that to save time his report was the same as last year. He was sorry that Laurie went, but is glad to welcome him back .
Stickperson's Report: Kevin prefers stickperson to stickman. Of the 10 sticks broken this year the squire has broken 17 of them! He said we didn't need any more sticks due to excessive closet coppicing . At this point Jane said she had seen a man in Grasswood who had caught her eye.
Mistress of the Wardrobe's Report: Linda brought an impressive photo of the Flagcracker wardrobe which she and Phillip had suspended from the ceiling. Lucy commented that the coathangers should be alternate Black and Red.
Crapbook seekers Report: Gillian apologised for the lateness of the crapbook due to her being in the technological dark ages!She then went on to justify her costs by saying it was jolly good value because it showed us all enjoying ourselves.
Comments were then invited from other persons present.
Nigel Not bad really
Euan & Louise said thanks for everything - they've been in a year and have enjoyed it VV much.
Julie & Rob have both enjoyed the year particularly Durham.
Kevin A said it had been a “nice” year (what sort of a word is that) Ian commented that as new squire he would have to slim down a bit to fit into Chris's frocks.
Annie was too bust taking the minutes to say much.
George said his comments were the same as last year, but he can't remember if he made any then.
Jane said she did one more dance out than last year and thanks for making Mark welcome. She will make Flagcrackers a priority next year.
Lucy said thanks for putting up with her not attending.
Laurie said he was sorry he went & came back again but he would go next year. He thanked Ian for making a splendid metal Flagracker and Kevin for the Semmerwater beer (which he bought because he didn't know Laurie wasn't leaving, and would have drunk himself if he had known. )
Hilary spoke - in tongues; for Keith and said that he did practice at home ...honest.
George said Keith was a very valuable member of the band and we would all miss them both but THEY WILL RETURN
Tom thanked everyone for the cards when he was poorly.
and finally
Graham said thanks for making him very welcome, and though he got shouted at for his dancing he had reached a point where he didn't care (The John Sargeant of Flagcrackers)
Any other business None
Meeting finished at 9.04 a record time of 44 minutes.
A Cracking AGM
The AGM of The Flagcrackers of Craven was far from dull, as befits the vivacious Border morris team’s raison d’etre.
Retiring Squire of four years, Chris Needham thanked the side for their support and added that the team’s successful hosting of the Morris Federation AGM this autumn had been a fitting end to her term of office. The weekend in October had drawn 15 morris sides from all over the country to dance in Skipton.
Kevin Andrews stepped to the plate and took up the ladle to lead the Flagcrackers into the new season, which begins with the side’s appearance at Skipton’s Yuletide Festival on 14th December.
2009 promises to be a busy year for the team, with invitations to dance as far afield as Lithuania and Prague.
With members ranging from 11 to 70+ years of age, the Flagcrackers welcome new dancers and musicians to join the side, which meets at Farnhill old post office on Wednesday evenings from 8pm. Current members travel from as far afield as Leeds and Burnley - sometimes even Australia and Russia, seriously!
For further information on joining the side, or booking The Flagcrackers of Craven to entertain at an event, contact squire@flagcrackers.co.uk
Flagcrackers play host to Morris Federation
A Yorkshire morris side is honoured with hosting the key event of the Morris Federation year including the AGM, weekend of dance and open ceilidh on October 4th.
Skipton based team, the Flagcrackers of Craven, offered to host this year’s event as part of their own 20th birthday celebrations and will be welcoming a host of morris sides from all over the country to the town.
A minimum of 15 sides will be sending representatives to the Federation AGM, at least 9 of which will be turning out dance sides in Skipton over the course of the weekend.
Dance displays will be taking place around the town, alongside the picturesque canal basin, in Victoria Square and behind Craven Court throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday.
A wide cross section of morris ‘traditions’, or dance styles, will be represented, from the sticks and distinctive black faces of Border morris sported by the Flagcrackers to the impressive ‘knot’ of swords performed by rapper and longsword sides and the frilly frocks of the North West tradition.
Following the AGM at the Soroptomists rooms, the visiting sides will be given a meal prior to the evening ceilidh.
Open to members of the public, the ceilidh is to be held at Skipton Rugby Club from 8pm. Popular ceilidh band Spinning Jelly will provide the irresistibly danceable tunes, with Clogfest aficionado Barbara Bentley calling the dances so even beginners can enjoy the fun.
Ceilidh tickets are available on the door at £6, £3 for children. For further information about the event or joining the Flagcrackers of Craven, who practise on Wednesday evenings at Farnhill village hall, call 0113 274 3120.
Flagcracker AGM 5th Dec 2007
Meeting opened at 8.00 something. Plenty Chair shuffling and two ladles
PRESENT Everyone BUT:
APOLOGIES. TV who did not give a good enough excuse, Beryl, Hilary and Keith (too far), Joanie, Boltons, Catherine and Family and possibly the Fosters but then they were just late (Tut Tut) - Rubbish excuse.
Minutes of last year – No Matters arising (no one read them) again!!
OFFICERS REPORTS
SQUIRE (See squires report ) Definitely last year !!!
GILIAN Baldrick and Crap Book keeper. Off the top of her head again like last year. Apologies for lack of crap book but left it at Mums and Dads. Did not thank anybody as she was that way out !! Gillian will continue to organize the announcements.
VAL Foreperson. Thanked people. Different people will teach different dances until Hilary takes over in March. Annie thanked Val for making her like some dances.
JOAN TREASURER. (See report) Still careful with the money but Chris pointed out that Joan had a New caravan New house and a posh jacket! Anna rattled some bottles and Joan became aggressive. George made a joke about the Labour party donations (current news item)
GEORGE (MD). George said it was good to have a lot of people in the band and thanked all. As web master he is short of photos can he have some (they have to be good). He will also accept drivel!!
KEVIN STICK TSAR. What can he say about sticks. Squire smashed the most sticks over the year. Enough sticks so we won’t have to coppice until 2020
LINDA KIT AND PUBLICITY. Comments about Lindas jacket and shoes (nice where from) she spends time climbing over piles in the attic, no not Philips piles.. There is an article coming into the Dalesman ( the real Magazine)
OTHER PERSONS. Tom spent most of the year lying down and Chris said Ian could speak if he wanted to but Joan would not let him.
Elections of Officers see sheet
Extra Office Nigel - Bover Causer
Proposals: George proposed to Chris (on one knee) as she said she had not had any.
Any other business
Graham thanked everyone and said he enjoyed coming with Julie. Thanks for making them feel welcome as Oakworth would not speak to him.
Lucy said James may join!!!! Baby Daisy is good and learning to hold a pint.
George again - says it is an exciting time for the side except rumours Philip may join with a Banjo. Linda said she needs help with Philips instrument.
Glynnis asked are we having a 20th Birthday - to be sorted..
Laurie requested a picture Don’t know of what.
Tom No comment
Nigel Nowt to Say (well that makes a change)
Anna wants to plan more spontaneity ( Nigel is smiling)
India to be considered as a Bover Causer
Kevin said Beryl collected £91 from Skipton from 3 adults and a baby in a pushchair
Meeting Declared ended at 9.05 as everyone was starving and there was some lovely grub waiting. Special mention of Joans quiche and Lindas glittery buns
MINUTES –19th FLAGCRACKERS A.G.M. – 22nd NOVEMBER 2006
Meeting opened at 8:01, (10 seconds after Val walked through the door), with lots of chair shuffling and two loud ladle bangs.
Present; Chris, Joan, Ian, Kevin A., Kevin H., Gillian, Beryl, TV, Anna, Nigel, Linda, Tom, Glynnis, Joanie, Val, Hilary, George, Annie (who wished it to be recorded she was not late).
Apologies: Lucy, Val, who apologised for apologising, Laurie who will be late as he is singing, Keith and Skippy (but I forgot to give these last two as I was busy doing the minutes - Hilary).
Minutes of 18th A.G.M. Val proposed they be accepted, seconded by Tom and carried unanimously.
Matters arising: None.
Squire :
Copy of Chris’s report given with agenda, in which thanks were given to everyone for their loyalty and commitment to the side and special thanks were given to all office bearers: – to George for the music, to Val for being Bag and teaching the dancing, to Gillian for organising announcements, to Joan for keeping us solvent, to Ian for his record ten years as stick tsar – (“But what’s he going to rub down now?” being heard from the crowd), to Kevin for his amazing scrapbooks and to Linda, (especially for the sweeties).
At this point Gillian spilt her wine and made a mess on the floor between Ian and Kevin.
Chris reported a quieter year with the side acquitting itself well at a weekend away each month and she was pleased the new gazebo had been well used.
She reported that the average age of the side had gone down thanks to the Foster family and finally reminded everyone to check the ticklist!
Baldrick’s Report: (off the top of her head)
Gillian thanked Chris, and thanked all those who had helped with announcements and said that although they were drivel good efforts had been made. She also declared that while most people were fairly well-behaved at meetings there were always one or two (same ones) who were not.
The arrival next at 8:15 of Peter and Sylvia caused much excitement with the suggestion that traffic problems in St. Petersburg were a possible cause for their late arrival.
Foreman’s Report: (Sorry, I just can’t bring myself to say foreperson – it sounds so daft. How about forehuman?)
Val reported a rocky start but all ended up well (dancing or bag?), raised her glass, said cheers to next year and handed over the Bag file to TV.
Daniel arrived next with apologies at 8:20.
Treasure’s Report:
Joan gave her report with special thanks to Beryl for collecting, a thank you to all for keeping expenses down e.g. photo copying etc. and for us to note that Barbara’s clog was really only £4.99, not £499!
Jane arrived next at 8:25, excuse - missed the bus – but where had she been for the last five minutes?
Band Leader’s Report :
George thanked all those who’d helped him in his efforts to learn the box and declared that the music for the year had been entirely satisfactory.
Stickman’s Report :
Ian reported that despite not coppicing, (was he looking for sympathy?), as he had forgotten to organize it, there were still loads of sticks.
Kit Person/Publicity :
Linda thanked people for their donations of kit and informed us that little red hen feathers were available and also pheasant feathers, courtesy of the Spite Inn at Otley. She is looking to feature the side in the glossies next year, “Yorkshire Life” being a possibility.
Keeper of the Scrapbook :
Kevin reported that the scrapbook had been finished at 4pm on this very night and that he had concentrated on the good times as there were already thousands of photos of the dancing.
Webmaster :
George said he needed electronic photos sent directly or on disc and some half-page write-ups would be welcome too.
Enter Laurie at 8:30, very suavely dressed it must be mentioned, in purple shirt, maroon jacket and multicoloured waistcoat.
Other Person’s Report :
Tom has had his hair cut so didn’t have anything to say - for precedent see Judges, chapter 16, verse 20.
Gillian is not as disruptive as she used to be or maybe Gillian said we were not as disruptive as we used to be, and there were no “Bother Causers” any more. Annie pointed out there was some bother in Ulverston.
(Gillian, just to prove herself wrong about “Bother Causers”, hit TV with her ladle because he’d wired up music on the roof of their campervan at Ulverston.)
To signify the end of reports, Chris banged the ladle.
Election of officers :
There were no elections as all positions were unopposed. Val proposed that all officers be accepted, seconded by Chris and the motion was carried unanimously.
Any other business :
There were no written proposals.
Chris proposed the subs go up to
£30, with children free, to cover rent.
Seconded by Val and carried unanimously.
A discussion followed as to the whereabouts of the gazebo (little one).
Ideas:
Lost, still at Reedham, in someone’s car, used for a whist drive.
No conclusion reached.
(George doesn’t know where the big one is either.)
George proposed that announcements should be worked into dance practices.
(Proposus interruptus by Titus Purseus who reminded us that we should start practices on time.)
Hilary suggested practising
announcements on the week before a dance out only.
This proposal to be tried with Baldrick being responsible for the announcers.
Chris proposed an acknowledgement of service to the side for Paul and Barbara. Everyone agreed. Joan and Chris to discuss.
The meeting was declared over by Chris at 8:55 with two impressive bangs of the ladle.
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