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1880

This is probably the best recorded performance and it is even possible to place the dancers at specific places at various times.

The following report published in the Wigan Observer on July 17th 1880 is probably the best known, and most quoted piece of information about the 1880 performance.

 

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THE ANCIENT FESTIVAL OF ABRAM CALLED THE MORRIS DANCE. – A correspondent writes: On the estate of Miss Chadwick, in Park Lane, Abram, there is a plot of ground which has been bequeathed to the young men of Abram, for the purpose of celebrating the above festival on the condition that the young men celebrate the festival at least every twenty-one years, or else the ground be lost to the young for ever.  Twelve years having elapsed since the ancient festival was celebrated a number of the young men formed themselves together for instruction under Messrs. T. Burns, W. Burns and R. Flydes, all of Abram. They assembled together on Friday morning last at the Red Lion Inn, Dover, Abram, to celebrate the ancient festival.  A few minutes’ delay was caused by the non-arrival of the queen but she made up for it by her beautiful appearance.  She wore a dress of black velvet, trimmed with old gold satin and white lace; her headdress was a white hat trimmed with gold lace, all from the firm of Miss Smith and Co., Abram. The king wore black coat and trousers and white vest, a white straw hat trimmed with Scottish plaid ribbons.  The dancers wore white vests and straw hats, and blue sashes bound with red and white.  The garland was decorated by Mrs. Constantine Moore, of Abram, with jewels and silver from friends and neighbours who lent them for the occasion.  Everything took exceedingly well, but the day turned out very wet.  The party danced at the principal places on their way through Warrington-lane, Platt Bridge, Low Green, Hindley, the Grange, and then crossed over into Bickershaw lane, and danced for Mr. J. A. Ackers, Brookside; and then they proceeded to the principal places in Bickershaw and Abram, returning to the Red Lion Inn, Dover, at about nine o’clock. On Saturday they wended their way through Ashton, Golborne, Golborne Park, Lowton, Plank lane, returning to the Red Lion Inn, Dover, at about eight o’clock, where a sumptuous dinner awaited them, provided by the worthy host and hostess, Mr. and Mrs. Hart.  After partaking of the good things provided, the tables were cleared and dancing resumed until close on eleven o’clock, when they returned to their homes not a bit the worse for their hard day’s dancing. It has been decided that after the expenses are paid the dancers will make a donation of the surplus to the Wigan Infirmary.

 

 

The unnamed Queen was actually Miss West

Miss West1880.jpg

 

The following page from the logbook for St Nathaniel's primary school at Low Green includes an entry on Friday July 9th which says "Allowed boys to see Morris Dancers at 11.45"

1880 school logbook.jpg

 

John Leyland's diary for the same day includes the following entry:

Received a note this morning from the Abram Morris Dancers saying they intended to visit the Grange in the forenoon. They arrived, but not until afternoon. A band of music led them up and they ranged themselves in front of the house. The dance they performed was quiet and graceful and they went through it exceedingly well. In Park Lane, Abram a small square of land has belonged from time immemorial to the younger men of the Township for the use of Morris Dancing and a tradition exists that if the custom be not celebrated once in 21 years their right to the land ceases – Accordingly, every now and then the custom is revived, and eleven years have passed since it was last kept up – Once only many years ago I saw it and was therefore pleased to be a spectator again.

The following year he wrote a more complete account of the event in "The Memorials of Abram" which was published in 1882, a year before he died.

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