A historic tradition
Towards the end of the nineteenth century morris dancing had almost disappeared in Oxfordshire. Enclosure and industrialisation were drawing people away from villages and into the towns. Just as the village tradition was dying out, academic folk enthusiasts started to take an interest.
In March 1899 Percy Manning from New College organised a concert at the Corn Exchange in Oxford. The programme was old songs and dances that he and Thomas Carter had collected from local people. In December of the same year, Cecil Sharp saw a performance by the Headington Quarry morris side and made notes of the dances and tunes.
Morris dancing was preserved at folk clubs and in schools but the village sides continued to decline.
In March 1899 Percy Manning from New College organised a concert at the Corn Exchange in Oxford. The programme was old songs and dances that he and Thomas Carter had collected from local people. In December of the same year, Cecil Sharp saw a performance by the Headington Quarry morris side and made notes of the dances and tunes.
Morris dancing was preserved at folk clubs and in schools but the village sides continued to decline.
