Over 60

[j.sabourn]

#42... Re blackfaced morrismen, the only team of such Tom is from your neck of the woods Lincs I think. After washing off it was found they were still black underneath, so was the usual stirring by the unwashed general agitators. Anyhow the tyneside teams have no need to black up they just came straight from work at the pit face. The only thing they went home for was their tankards which attached to their belts and were filled by the manager of whatever pub they danced outside of. A good incentive for any would be morrisman. Cheers JS

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Have to go for my eyesight and driving test in July, driving should be OK but I have to be careful which Dr to pick for the Eye test, my regular DR is a stickler, uses every conceivable test, a year ago he said you only just passed this time, so last year went to my wife's DR, while he was filling in the paper work he pointed over his shoulder and said read the third line down, both eyes great , then he said now with the left eye the second line, so I partly covered my right eye so that I read it with both. Don't know if I will get away with it next time. I have a slight macular in my left, and though my sight is good when driving Drs are tough.
Des

[j.sabourn]

Des I thought over 85 was a must to have a driving test also ? Thats part of my giving up on two cars , The wife being a few years younger than me will be a bit longer having to take. JS

[thomas michael]

hi john sabourn #51
good morning, Black faced morris dancers not surprisingly, are known in other parts of the uk,As you point out the black faces of coal miners, on reaching the end of a shift would more or less be oouzing out coal dust from every pour in their body, particularly in the face, and im sure went on to have the obligatory pint or ten with a dance included.maybe thats where the song ten little morris dancers comes from.
but i was deadly serious about the beginnings of men blacking up to evade being identified if spotted poaching and the resulting penalty hanging.
also sad as it is we have now lost that tradition because of left wing ideology where we give up our identity for the sake of political correctnes as seen by the left wing bigots, and loose all things that uniquely make up our identity
and so the blue faced smurf has now been included by these bigots as acceptable, that is until the blue faced smurf gets organised and finds their identity is being besmerched, there is plenty of news print on what i state for those whom wish to look further, and in some case before reaching for the smelling salts, check out at least your own news papers ie the belfast daily telegraph 15th may 2021.
as always john many thanks for your missives, as they are always a delight and imformative to read where some others whom post i wouldnt wipe well you know where im going with that,
keeping laughing
tom

[j.sabourn]

Don’t forget the obligatory Betty and fiddler most Morris teams sported and of course the Tommy , wasn’t you was it ? Can just imagine you in your top hat and Cappy dressed up as the Betty in skirt and Shawl and hat. You are bound to know plenty who can fiddle . Cheers JS

[Graham Shaw]

You are bound to know plenty who can fiddle . Cheers JS

John,I was always amazed to discover how many Chief Stewards were quite accomplished on the fiddle......

[thomas michael]

hi john sabourn#55
cappy dressed as betty in skirt shawl and hat, id pay good money to see that, he would have to make room for the donkey, and marys leg could come in handy as a twirling baton, as for the fiddling well cappy would have the pleasure of fiddling with his baton stick, as danced a merry jig.
tom

[j.sabourn]

#57 Unfortuanetley it was the Tommy who went around with the hat for the offerings , so had to have someone with police clearance for that , the Betty just danced around the Morris dancers . Cappy like Ned Kelly was on the most wanted list for upsetting the emus in one of the eastern states . Your record is clean I assume you were never one of the fiddlers were you ? JS.

[thomas michael]

hi john sabourn #58
as cappy and myself including many others on this site whom would have been in business for themselves, then i presume both cappy and i among the many others where guilty of fiddling peter to pay paul.
tom

[j.sabourn]

And can you vouch for the gender of Peter and Paul ?. JS