After a lovely Xmas Day at West Kirby on the Wirral, the Dohertys wrapped up well and headed for the annual Boxing Day revels at Willaston, Cheshire. The 'Mersey Morris Men' were performing at the village green from 11.00am.Much to our surprise and delight they began with the "Mummers Play" which used to be performed by school children at Oughterlin, Rathmullan in the 1950s. This brought back many happy memories of times gone past.
"Beelzebub" dances a jig in the Mummers!
The Morris Men ended a hectic routine by dancing the "Molly".
The "Molly" was associated with 'Plough Monday' (first Monday after the Epiphany), which was the start of the English ploughing season. According to tradition, ploughboys, out of money after Xmas and awaiting the ploughing season, dressed up and went around landowners offering to dance for money. They disguised themselves with soot on their faces and dressed in black except for Molly who was dressed as a woman in all white. Any landowner who should refuse them would be cursed or even have a 'crooked furrow' ploughed across his land.
The large crowd at Willaston was warmed up with piping hot Mulled wine & Xmas cake (children got sweets) before the Morris Men proposed the toast;
Wassail! Wassail! And the delighted crowd responded; Thrice Wassail!
(pronounced Wa-Sail = Good Health).
The Mersey Morris Men perform at this traditional event every year but their dance routine varies. Luckily, the Mummers Play was on their list for 2011 and we had a most enjoyable day.
The "Molly" was associated with 'Plough Monday' (first Monday after the Epiphany), which was the start of the English ploughing season. According to tradition, ploughboys, out of money after Xmas and awaiting the ploughing season, dressed up and went around landowners offering to dance for money. They disguised themselves with soot on their faces and dressed in black except for Molly who was dressed as a woman in all white. Any landowner who should refuse them would be cursed or even have a 'crooked furrow' ploughed across his land.The large crowd at Willaston was warmed up with piping hot Mulled wine & Xmas cake (children got sweets) before the Morris Men proposed the toast;
Wassail! Wassail! And the delighted crowd responded; Thrice Wassail!
(pronounced Wa-Sail = Good Health).
The Mersey Morris Men perform at this traditional event every year but their dance routine varies. Luckily, the Mummers Play was on their list for 2011 and we had a most enjoyable day.
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