Morris Media Tart

As I have worked in public relations (sorry Graeme my secret is out) whenever there’s an event coming up I do a press release and email it out to all and sundry.

Next Sunday, 27th April from noon until 2.30pm, seven traditional dance teams from all over Tyneside will be dancing for St George outside the Baltic from 12 noon until 2.30pm. The organiser sent me the list of teams (Addison Rapper, Clog and Children, Hexham Morris Men, Hexhamshire Lasses, Short Circuit and Tyne Bridge Morris) while we were away on holiday in Wales. So I didn’t get the release emailed out until yesterday lunchtime. But yesterday afternoon I got a ‘phone call from a very nice girl at BBC Radio Newcastle asking if I’d like to go on the Mike Parr Show to talk about St George’s Day.

So first thing this morning, while boys got their own breakfast, I put on kit, got out a garland and the dragon, threw my clog bag into the boot of the car and set off to the Pink Palace. The gentleman on reception was quite surprise to see a female morris dancer walk in with a large red dragon over her shoulder.

A nice young man took me through to the waiting room for the studio. There was a shout from the studio next door “Is that Brenda?”, and Ian Robinson came bounding through and gave me a huge hug and air kisses. We’ve met before (see TyneBridge’s webpage) and he’s one of my favourite people. I do miss him and Paul Wappat mid morning – I’m forced to listen to BBC7. I’ve tried Jonathan Miles and Woman’s Hour but just can’t be doing with either – sorry.

Anyway I put on my clogs and off I go into Mike Parr’s studio, followed by the young man with the dragon. Have you ever tried to tiptoe silently in clogs with bells on? The poor traffic, travel and weather girl nearly corpsed.

Mike Parr is better looking than his picture on the BBC Tyne website suggests. He was very nice and I managed to mention the time, venue and all the teams dancing– so that was a success. There was some chat about Englishness which, being half-welsh-half-geordie, I’m not sure I was qualified to comment on. Also about the various different types of morris and traditional dance. Then it was all over and I went back out to reception.

Where I bumped into Des Bustard of the Percy Hedley Foundation who is another exceedingly nice man. Many years ago when I worked for a PR and advertising agency the charity he then worked for was a client. I was surprise he recognised me and it was delightful to see him again.

All in all a lovely half hour.

Then I came home and listened to myself on BBC Tyne’s listen again site.
It sounded fine except for one thing.
I don’t half sound like Pat Archer.

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