CLAIMS that Morris dancing will die out because young people think it is embarrassing, have been rubbished by a South Lakeland side and its teenage members.

The head of a national organisation dedicated to all things bells, flowers and handkerchiefs, says the pastime could be forgotten in 20 years’ time, because not enough young people are coming forward.

But the Kendal-based Crook Morris side, which boasts 30 members and three under the age of 18, has insisted the jolly dancers will be around for some time.

Kirkbie Kendal School pupil Dan Jackson joined with sister Evie, 14, more than three years ago and says it is the best fun he has ever had.

“I have never been very good at sport but morris dancing is something I’m good at and I really enjoy it,” he explained.

“My sister and I got involved when my dad, who has been with the side for about 15 years, asked if we wanted to go along to a practice session. We did and we’ve been going ever since.

“I love dancing. I get an adrenaline rush from it and performing in front of people is good fun. Everyone’s so nice, we get on really well.”

The 17 year old insists his friends have always supported his hobby too.

“They never really mention it to be honest,” he said. “I’ve never tried to hide the fact I’m a morris dancer and no one has ever teased me about it or anything.

“So what if I’ve got flowers in my hat and bells that ring whenever I move - I’ve found something I am good at and if people think it’s namby pamby that’s up to them.”

Martyn Harvey, the side’s foreman, agreed: “You have to be phenomenally fit to be a morris dancer. Some of the handkerchief dances are very fast and virile – it’s not as easy as people might think.

“It’s a minority activity, none of us expects to get 500 people knocking on our door wanting to join us, but that doesn’t mean it’s dying out. I’ve been dancing for 38 years and when the Kendal side stopped the Crook one started and we’ve now been going for 27-28 years.

“The age range of our 30 members goes from 14 to 73.

“In December we held a ceilidh in Kendal which sold out. We had a waiting list which ran into double figures and a lot of the people who came along to watch were in their 20s and 30s.”

The origins of morris dancing are thought to date back to the 15th century and one theory is that while the name ‘morris’ is derived from the French word ‘morisque’, meaning dance, the pastime actually came to England from Morocco via Spain. Morris dancing is also thought to have links to ancient fertility rights.

If you think you’ve got what it takes to be a morris dancer, the Crook Morris side practices every Monday night during the winter months at Nether Hall, Kendal, from 8pm.

Telephone Martyn Harvey on 01539-720551 for more information.