Our officers
Even Mucky Mountains is vaguely organised! Our officers this year are:
- Leader — Helen
- Secretary — Jeanette
- Treasurer — Anne and Phil
- Web controller — Alan
Our members
Here are profiles of Sandra, Jeanette, Helen, Sally, Lyn, Mike, Alan, Ann E, Peter, Jane, Paul R, Niamh, Adam, Gill, Anne M, Anne V, Phil, Clare, Frank, Ellen, Lis, John, Paul M, Karina, Norma, Dennis, David, Julia, and no profiles of any others.
Sandra
In 2002 whilst I was working as an International Project Research Assistant at Liverpool Hope University, I was organising an International Conference and needed entertainment for the Gala Dinner. It was suggested that I contacted Mucky Mountains Morris to book them.
When they arrived on the night I realised that two of my colleagues from work were in the Morris group (which surprised me!). All the conference delegates really enjoyed the performance; many even took part in the audience participation dances.
A few weeks later I was talking to my colleague Sally, saying how I enjoyed the evening, and she suggested I went along to practice night – I have never looked back since.
I have so many Morris friends not only in Mucky Mountains but also in other Morris sides around the country. We regularly meet up at different events throughout the year and it's great to catch up and even teach each other dances.
Jeanette
Way back in 2000 I was taken to my first ceilidh. It was while I was powdering my nose that the dreaded Morris struck! I started to chat to a woman who turned out to be Rachel, who danced with Mucky Mountains. She asked me if I was enjoying it. I explained that it was my first time and that I was loving it, and she said that if I was enjoying this I should try Morris dancing. I told her I was from St Helens, but that was when she caught me because the team was from St Helens. She took my number and what do you know she rang up a couple of weeks later, and I have been caught ever since.
Morris dancing is the one thing that keeps me sane, it has brought a joy into my life that is incomparable, it has seen me through the happiest and saddest times of the last nine years, I cannot think of not doing it and not dancing with the wonderful friends I have met.
Helen
Why do I dance, you ask? Well, it's the mole catcher's fault. For some reason he thought I might enjoy it, so he rang me up and said "I'm sending a young man round on Thursday night to take you Morris dancing". The young man was definitely not young—nice car though—so I was feeling very sceptical about the dancing. How wrong was I. Morris dancing is simply magic. It's not just the dancing and the music, but all the amazing people you meet as well. Its one of the best things I have ever done.
I work as a certified chartered accountant, but few people know my true colours. Some people think I must be certified to want to be a Morris dancer. Well, may be I am a little mad, but when I hear the music and we start to dance there is nowhere else I would rather be. I have some wonderful friends in the Morris and a few years ago they made me Squire. I don't know why, because they very rarely listen to me.
Why do I dance? Because I love the people, I love the music, I love the dance. I can be myself and I feel at home.
Sally
I was a founder member along with my daughter, Jill and her friend Suzanne (who both danced with us for 7 years until they left for uni). Paul & Leslie were living with us when they started the side so as I had some 'previous' in the field I joined in. Think I have made more MMM kit than anyone else.
Have had a fab time – great friends, loads of fun and been to loads of places. Joined as a dancer but have been demoted to musician, cook and sewer – I know my place. When Alan's along I am allowed to dance sometimes and I have high hopes of reinstatement as a dancer with Helen's emerging accordion talent. Am also a bossy old bag so tend to help teach – usually wrongly!
Lyn
I joined the side in 1989 as a founder member, so in 2011 I've been with MMM for 22 years. Sad, eh? What a morris nerd! We got dragged along by Paul and Leslie after they had moved from Warrington via the rest of the world to Haydock. The four of us had been dancing with Earl of Stamford for a few years. I've seen the side go through various ups, downs and ups again, and always enjoyed their company. I think the mix of Cotswold and Border morris is good, and that although MMM are not always perfect, they are always entertaining. As the joints now get more rickety, I'm enjoying helping with some of the teaching and the tambourining. Thankfully for everyone else, the accordion still stays at home!
Mike
No profile yet
Alan
I am a founder member of Mucky Mountains. I was only a dancer in the early years, but now enjoy playing the melodeon as well. I try to keep quiet when other people are teaching it wrong, but I don't always succeed!
What I like best about Mucky Mountains is dancing at pubs in the summer.
What I like least is the extremely comfortable socks.
Ann E
I joined the side initially because I was trying to lose some weight and wanted some kind of exercise that I would really enjoy. I have always liked dancing and folk music so I thought morris dancing might be a good idea. I felt like a member of the side from the first session and although I have only been dancing for a few months, I have my kit and have danced in public on several occasions. I did feel a bit nervous about that at first in case I did something wrong, but I soon found out that the rest of the team helped me get through the dances. No one minded at all if I made mistakes: the main thing is to join in and have fun. And I was right about the exercise – I have lost over a stone since I started!
Peter
I joined Mucky Mountains because Sally said they were desperate for men – how could I refuse? Also my wife, Val, had started at a gym and was losing weight and getting fitter and I thought that Morris dancing was a form of exercise that I could manage.
Jane
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Paul R
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Niamh
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Adam
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Gill
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Anne M
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Anne V
I blame it on my daughter, Helen. She got her arm twisted into going Morris dancing and she needed some moral support, so along I went. We were made so welcome, how could we not go back, and years later we are still dancing. You'd think I'd get enough exercise looking after the grandchildren. I enjoy the social side of Mucky Mountains as much as the dancing. Great company, great people.
Phil
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Clare
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Frank
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Ellen
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Lis
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John
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Paul M
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Karina
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Norma
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Dennis
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David
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Julia
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Former members
Here are profiles of Anne B and Rachel. We hope to have some photos and a list of former members soon.
Anne B
I joined because a friend who was already a dancer asked me to meet her for a drink; she agreed to pick me up at morris practice. I arrived early, got hooked and the rest is history.
What I really enjoy is the group. They are a great bunch of people from all walks of life so the social side is very good. I enjoy performing and I think people enjoy watching us dance. You either get a smile or a look of puzzlement but rarely a negative reaction.
Rachel
I love the music which just makes you want to dance, the different rhythms with the sticks, the social side, the fun, the laughing, the weekends away, I love love love morris dancing!
Other people
No profiles yet