Thirty Years of Bedlam

Still I sing bonnie boys
bonnie mad boys

Bedlam boys are bonnie

For they all go bare

And they live by the air

And they want no drink

Nor money.

This song (describing inmates of Bethlem Hospital) re-worked by Steeleye Span, reflects the interest in traditional folk music during the Folk revival that blossomed in the 1960s and renewed interest in all things traditonal:  folk dance, handcrafts, self-sufficiency....

Letter to the Editor, The Christchurch Press 11 June 1966

 Britannic Bedlam Morris Gentlemen:

All of them are bonnie and most of them are mad:

I've seen some of them in nothing but their bells and braces

(and one who is gone, in less than those),

but these Gentlemen pay no heed to the last two lines of the refrain from Tom of Bedlam.

Once a year in February Bedlam celebrate their

notional birthday, which Dyk explains in his blog, with a Day of Drink. This year Bedlam turned 30 !

Any New Zealand Morris side that can trace its roots back thirty years can claim to be part of the Revival of the 1970s and early 80s. In NZ, this flowed from the English Revival, a theme  in Tim Plester's recent documentary, The Way of the Morris.  The first side to form since World War II, was Erewhon Morris in Christchurch in 1976. Elwin (second from right back), was an original member of this side.

Neither Erewhon nor Pride of Holland Street (The POHS) which formed the following year in Wellington, are still active, though many of those early members still dance in various sides around the country.

In this photo from about 1984, POHS, Bedlam, and Bedlam's consort side, White Rose gather for an airport farewell. I can identify four men in this photo who were present at Bedlam's 30th Anniversary Day of Drink on 18 February this year.

At least two other NZ sides have celebrated thirty years of existance - City of Auckland Morris Dancers in 2008 and White Rose Ladies Morris in 2011. The Tussock Jumpers Morris Dancers in Christchurch let their 30th anniversary pass last year, too quake-shocked and un-homed to celebrate.

Which is just one reason why I (third from left front) accepted Bedlam's invitation to join them for the occasion.

Other guests came from Taumaranui, and White Rose

were there too.

On the day, six dancers and one musician could claim to be over sixty...

While a heartening crop of young men are capering into place.

Peter on his way to a pipe band competition practised on us,

making the occasion Multi-cultural.

Such a good day - from the walk down to breakfast in the morning to dinner and the silly AGM at the end of the day.

But I am aware that to mark 30 years is to mark the passage of time. I notice how once hardened drinkers order cappucino and pots of tea more often. I notice how even the fittest older men sit back and let the younger men dance. I notice the lines on my friends' faces.

And am grateful for the place Bedlam has in my family's life.

Happy Birthday Brittanic Bedlam Morris Gentlemen.