75th ANNIVERSARY OF THE MORRIS RING OF ENGLAND

Early day motion 1560, tabled 1 June 2009 by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 19 members.

That this House congratulates The Morris Ring of England on its 75th anniversary, celebrated from 29 to 31 May 2009 with a Ring Meeting held at Thaxted in Essex, which was attended by more than 400 Morris Men from 33 different sides; recognises with appreciation that The Morris Ring plays a major role in promoting England's traditional male folk dance; regrets, however, that Arts Council England considers it more important to support contemporary Latin American art than England's traditional folk song and dance culture; and calls on the Government, through the Departments of Culture, Media and Sport and Children, Schools and Families, to ensure that England's traditional folk culture is promoted in the same way as the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland promote their respective folk culture in their countries.

Signatures by party: Labour 11, Liberal Democrat 5, Conservative 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.