MayDay - Ebor Morris tour of the city walls

1st of May is traditionally the day when Morris Men go out to waken up the earth for the spring growth. The earth is awakened by the noise of the bells worn on the legs and by the tapping and clashing of sticks. Gauranteed to bring you good luck, fertility and sunshine.

The day started with a breakfast of bacon and sausage sandwiches at the Wagonn and Horses pub in Lawrence Street and of course a pint of beer to get things started. From there the route proceeded around the walls starting at Walmgate Bar (Bar is the name for a gate) via Monkgate and the Tap and Spile, Robin Hood Tower, Bootham Bar and lunch in the Lamb and Lion (excellent range of sandwiches, thank you Jack! through the Museum Gardens and over the river to the corner between York Station and Micklegate where the Escrick Longsword was performed.

This had worked up a thirst so onward to Micklegate bar and quick treatment for prevention of dehydration in the Brigantes before performing a few dances by Micklegate Bar. Ever onward to Victoria Bar that small hole in the wall along Nunnery Lane and a drink and a dance at the Golden Ball. Returning to the walls and the corner of Nunnery Lane and Bishopthorpe Road where the Longsword dance was performed again. Someone remembered that the Slip Inn had a beer festival going on so after coming down from the walls it was a small detour to The Slip Inn and perform a few dances in the back yard, the landlord kindly brought out a couple of jugs of beer for us once again to prevent dehydration.

Suitably refreshed, it was across the river and back on to the walls at the Posterngate and round to the Phoenix where a few more dances were performed and of course the beer had to be sampled. Final leg of the tour from the Phoenix back to Walmgate Bar where the last dance of the day was performed before visiting the Rook and Gaskill. Along the way, various members had dropped out and so the round on the bag was only enjoyed by those that reached the Rook and Gaskill.

Retrace Route Round the Walls

A new idea at each entry point to the walls is this RETRACE plaque. Place a sheet of paper over the rectangle and rub in the brass rubbing style and when you have been all the way round you should have a complete joined up rubbing of the route around the walls. You should just about be able to make out the raised section in the top right hand corner of the plaque. I see that the idea has been funded by the National Lottery, wonder if they would make a grant to the "fund for prevention of dehydration of morris men" to prevent Ebor Morris drying out when they do the dance tour of the walls ;-))

Ebor Morris tour the city walls

The subtitle to this piece could well have been "Ebor Morris tour the Bars and Bars of York".

The musicians by Monk Bar.

Inside the walls at Walmgate bar.

The dances have been around for a long time so the sign is probably appropriate!

Sherrif's ride performed outside Walmgate Bar and then time for a beer, but what a shame that the Rook and Gaskill didn't open at 12:00 as shown on the list of opening times on the door.

Oh dear, no drink here so we did a dance without music as a requim for a pub we have enjoyed in the past!

After refreshing ourselves in the Swan we returned to the walls to perform at the corner by Baile Hill that overlooks the Swan.

Time for another break at the Golden Ball in Bishophill.

I'm going to count to ten and when I open my eyes I am going to make this nasty brown stuff dissappear!

Interruption to the tour as the section f walls from Micklegate to Station Rise were closed. Although the notice said Monday to Friday and it was now Sunday the gate was locked. Looks like the work overran by a few days! This was an opportune time to go and do our half hour session in King's Square

King's Square brought out loads of photographers as a half hour session was performed for the York Carnival. After a short refreshment stop in the Blue Bell a few stalwarts continued the tour and headed off towards Bootham Bar to continue the last section of available wall.

More tourists taking photos in the rain as Stu gets ready to do a solo jig by York Minster.

The lad does a solo jig outside the Minster.

The hardest part of touring the city walls is getting the sticks up and down the steps. A short video clip of the survivors dancing at Robin Hood Tower can be seen on UTube http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=50-MeI0Wf1Y

The lad does another solo jig, where does he get the energy?

With much ceremony the sticks were dropped at the bottom of the stairs at Monk Bar to mark the end of the tour at the point that it had begun in the morning.

Well, another round on the bag didn't do us any harm (well not too much). The survivors relaxing at the Tap & Spile in Monkgate.

Ebor Morris in King's Square

On Monday evening I would normally have been out with this bunch of hobbdehoys and ne'r do wells, joining in the dancing. However, because I had badly strained my calf muscle on my left leg I took my camera down instead and took several photos. To see further photos of the evening use this link.