Introduction
Back in 1985 Dave and I met with Bill Scarrott in Pershore, who started dancing with the Not for Joes when he was 8 years old in 1914. (See the chapter on page 50 of The Roots of Welsh Border Morris for much more detail.) The longer we spent with him the more he remembered of the moves, the steps, and because he had taken up playing the fiddle when he was about 18 he also remembered the tunes. Bill gave us a detailed description of the costume worn, and the size of the sticks and how they were decorated.
Annie Jones
As a result of The Old Wonder Not for Joes performing the dances it became obvious that certain refinements were required in the performance, for instance at what point should one turn in the cross over. These refinements have been included, but of course it would be up to the team to decide on such points. The aim in explaining these dances has been to enable complete beginners to perform.
Dave Jones October 1989
“They even stopped the Carol Singing, they can’t stop you Not for Joeing, because that’s the live thing.”
Bill Scarrott
”Don’t take no notice of nobody, nor what anybody says to you, take no notice, you carry on, do what you want to do, and you do the Not for Joeing the way I told you and it’ll give them something to think about!”
Bill Scarrott