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The Adderbury Village Kit
A past revival of the Adderbury Morris. A boys team posing outside the Old Vicarage in 1908.
It would seem likely that the wearing of elaborate costume may be linked to the fertility rites outlined in the background section of this site. Certainly folklorists often point out the use of bells to ward off evil spirits; this may well have been their function in ancient times.
In addition to the bells, cross ribbons are worn. These are known as baldrics, and most Morris sides wear a variation of this regalia. An additional extra to the costume is often in the form of a hat; sometimes a bowler, but often a topper as worn by the Adderbury Village Morris Men.
Adderbury’s costume is based upon a picture of an old Adderbury Morris side taken in the early 1900's. The colours and kit description were remembered by an old Adderbury dancer by the name of Charlie Coleman who is in these photographs.
NB. Charlie Coleman can be seen in the boys team above in the front row, kneeling, 4th from the left.
Dancing a "Foot Up" - The Adderbury team dance on the Village Green Approximately 92 years later another "Foot Up".
Mr Coleman died a number of years ago but fortunately he was able to pass on the vital information to Bryan Sheppard back in 1974.
Villagers watching the dancing
on the Village Green
Another rare photo of the adult side complete with Hobby Horse
NB. Charlie Coleman can be seen pictured as
a young man in the team photo standing 1st on the left.
The above pictures show that even in the
early 1900's watching the Adderbury Morris was a popular event.
In the other picture the side stand and pose for a team photo.
Note the larger than normal handkerchiefs and the the Hobby Horse.
Both these items are in use today as a part of the Adderbury Village
Morris's on-going and very much active tradition.
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