'May Day' Call.... for
May Day 2008!
Megan Taylor has been in touch from the Oyster
Morris and it seems that they could do with a bit of a hand in
order to stage Whitstable's May Day 2008 celebrations. It's now
one of the biggest events in the South East and, this year, it
takes place on 5th May (Bank Holiday Monday). We hope that some of our readers
respond to the May Day call.... like any good maritime Native!
Morris dancers don't have troupes or teams. They
have 'sides' and the Oyster Morris are the 'home side' for the
Whitstable event. As such, they are very much involved in the task
of organising things.
Now, DON'T SAY
'NO' straight away... because you don't know what you
are being asked to do yet! In fact, there isn't a great deal
involved. It won't take much of your time and you will still be
able to view much of the event.
What You're NOT
Being Asked
For a start, you AREN'T being asked to perform
like the men of the Oyster Morris.....
.... or to be super fit like the
women of the Oyster Morris....
Oyster Morris - the home side for
Whitstable's May Day event
... or to defend yourself with a stick like these
guys from a visiting Morris 'side' in 2005....
... or even balance on the sea wall at the
Horsebridge Morris Dancing in a top hat....
Moreover, you certainly won't have to learn any complicated steps....
What You are
Being Asked...
Your services are needed to help the 2008 procession
get from the Library....
Scenes at the Library
forecourt in Oxford Street in 2006
.... along Oxford Street.
The Oyster Morris Women in 2002
.... through the High Street....
... to the Horsebridge...
The procession arrives at the
Horsebridge at approx 11.30
The shot above shows Dead Horse Morris arriving.
... for some more Morris Dancing....
The Oyster Morris Men at the
Hosrebridge in 2005
After a short break, it is then a case of getting them along Harbour
Street to the harbour...
. 
Harbour Street in 2005
The final leg involves clearing the path for the
final leg along Tower Parade to the gates of the
Castle at Tower Hill.....
The procession approaches the Castle
Gatehouse at Tower Hill
And it's all so that the talking bush (Jack in the
Green) can be installed on the Castle lawns for the main
celebrations....
Jack-in-the-Bush leads the Oyster
Morris onto the Castle lawn
I am sure you have done this sort of thing before
with your chrysanthemums. So, it shouldn't be a problem.
Seriously
Though...
Our photos demonstrate just how much colour and
enjoyment the event brings to the town. It is one of the biggest
and best May Days around and, as you will have noticed from our
photos,
Morris Sides come from all over the South of
England to join the Oyster Morris. However, it can't happen without a bit of
help. Megan needs a handful of marshals to close off the side
roads as the procession makes its way from Oxford Street to the
Castle..
It won't take all day. In fact, this all that is
involved...
- Overall, you would be needed from just 10.45 am to 2
pm (approx) on May Day Bank Holiday Monday
- Your duties would involve moving a light weight
barrier ahead of the procession in order to block off
side roads as the event progresses (2 marshals per
barrier).
- Along the way, the Morris dancers give performance
at both the Horsebridge and the Harbour. This means
that you will get good break between the three
stages of the procession. In fact, your activity will
comprise just short three short spells during which
the procession is on the move - 20 minutes for the
first, 15 minutes for the second and 15 minutes for
the third.
- You will need to be reasonably active but not
super-fit!
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Of course, if you aim to attend the event anyway,
you could fit it in with the task of being a marshal. If you can
help, please contact Megan at....
Thanks for listening.
Dave Taylor
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