Redbornstoke Morris
Redbornstoke Morris Artefacts
This page details a number of artefacts acquired over the years and held dear by Redbornstoke Morris. The artefacts themselves are now held in The Higgins Museum, Bedford.
The Squire’s Tankard
The pewter tankard was presented to each successive Squire when they took up their office following the dancing on Plough Monday. It is inscribed with the names of all the squires and their year of appointment.
The Quaich
The Quaich was presented by Cliff Uney, an ex-member of the side, to mark the 30th anniversary of the side. Inside is the inscription Grace & Dignity which became a side motto after it was used by an MC at Chippenham Folk Festival to describe their dancing.
“Tommy Tippee”
Presented to the team by Bedfordshire Lace Morris at the 25th Anniversary. When the team was away for the weekend we would finish the evening’s drinking etc by filling it with spirits (whatever we had brought with us) and passing it around. Cliff Uney wrote a song for it.
TOMMEE TIPPEE
Cliff Uney Tune: A Miner’s Life
First you practise all the winter
Try to make your dance progress
Content, style and innovation
Foreman says there’s no finesse
Looking forward to the summer
Dancing morning, noon and night
Meeting old friends, making new ones
Join the circle, keep it tight
Round and round goes Tommee Tippee
Have courage, drink with us tonight
Meeting old friends, making new ones
Join the circle, keep if tight
Know one knows what they put in it
Though it all tastes just the same.
Just be sure you don’t go near it
If you hold a naked flame.
In the morning you’ll regret it
But just now, it feels alright.
Meeting old friends making new ones
Join the circle, keep it tight
Whiskey, gin or Brasso polish
Apple schnapps or Slivovitz
Mescal spirit with the worm in
Guaranteed to dull your wits
Stronger stuff that rots your brain cells
Helps the evening go just right
Meeting old friends, making new ones
Join the circle, keep it tight.
Redbornstoke ask you to join us
As we pass Tom Tippee round
Sing with us, join in the chorus
Help us make a joyful sound
Take a sip from Tommee Tippee
Pass him leftwards, never right
Meeting old friends making new ones
Join the circle, keep it tight
40th Anniversary Mug
The 40th Anniversary was celebrated as a joint event with Oyster Morris, from Whitstable in Kent. As part of Oyster Morris's contribution everyone attending the weekend was given one of these mugs. It has the logos of both teams and the names of the other Morris teams attending.
The Fool's Smock
The Fool's Smock was made in circa 1978 for Jerry Griffiths, who danced as The Fool in the early years of Redbornstoke Morris (until circa 1985). It is believed to have been made by Olga Page and has the Redbornstoke badge embroidered on the shoulders.
Brian Mander (for a long time Foreman of the side) commented: As far as I’m aware Jeremy Griffiths was the first Redbornstoker to pass away (in 1991). Jerry was a lovely man, thoughtful and intelligent and had fooled brilliantly for the side.
Brian later devised the dance 'The Motley Cap' in Jerry’s memory.
Jerry Griffiths wearing the smock at a Redbornstoke Morris event in 1980.
(Photo from the Redbornstoke Log)