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1901

The year that the last "traditional" performance took place. It is not as well documented as the 1880 performance but it was recorded in a formal photograph of the participants and several of them were able to provide information for Maud Karpeles when she was investigating the dance in the late 1920s and early 1930s

 

The following advert appeared in The Wigan Observer on May 11th 1901

1901 advert.jpg

 

ABRAM ANCIENT MORRIS DANCE

It is proposed to hold the above this year, and Young Persons wishing to join must apply to ADAM INGRAM, Pye Nest Farm, Park Lane, Abram.

JOHN SMITH, Hon Sec

 

This photograph was found during a house clearance in Platt Bridge in 1984 and had been in the possession of Jim Walmesley. Currently no further information has been found as to how it came to be in his possession although it is possible that one of his relatives had been involved. 

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Another copy of the photo was in the possession of Miss Brindle of Warrington Road, Abram. This copy was cleaner but Miss Brindle had cut the edges of the frame off as they were dirty!

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According to one informant the photograph was taken "up Park Lane, just past where the dance took place"  and it is possible that the photograph was taken at Maypole House Farm, since demolished, as the OS map shows the layout of the buildings to be similar to those in the background.  However, this cannot be verified and the location of the photograph remains a mystery.

Some of those in the photograph have been identified:

Group standing on left: Far left – Bill Simm, 2nd left – Adam Ingram, 3rd left – Enos Laye

Adam Ingram and Enos Laye were seen by Maud Karpeles when she visited Abram in 1932 – Bill Simm was already dead by then.
 
Front row seated: Middle – Bill Blakely, 2nd right – Jim Shuttleworth
 
Middle row seated: 2nd right – Bill Hatton, 3rd from right – Peter Grimshaw (brother-in-law of Jim Shuttleworth)
 
Back row seated: 1st left – possibly Frank Molyneux (father-in-law of Cllr. William Wright)   3rd from left – Shuttleworth (forename not known)
 
Pole Bearer – possibly Elisha Brook or Brooks