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FASH CHAT: Mary Ireson - 95 and not out!
Let's put the year 1913 into context. In 1909 Cecil Sharp published his first book of "Eighteen Traditional Dances collected in country villages" and this was shortly followed by three books of dances from John Playford's "The English Dancing Master, 1650 – 1728". These books helped to start the revival of English dance, notably by the creation by Sharp of the English Folk Dance Society in 1911.
And the year 1913 is notable as the year in which Mary Ireson was born. She is a contemporary of the English folk dance revival, and has been part of its development in Hampshire for many years. She went to her first dance in 1930, and immediately decided that she wanted to be involved.
Mary qualified in all aspects of Folk Dancing in 1943 at Cecil Sharp House, one of her tutors being Suzanna Sharp, younger daughter of Cecil. Later, she ran classes at Farnham, Aldershot and Dorking and was responsible for keeping alive the tradition of Morris dancing around the Hampshire/Surrey borders during the Second World War teaching Morris, Border Morris, Rapper Sword and Long Sword.
In 1945 she started to teach dancing at the Medstead Women's Institute. This group evolved into the Farringdon Folk Dance Club, first meeting there in 1964, and she is still in charge.
She also trained District dancers for the Albert Hall Festivals. She played in and ran the Weyside Folk Dance Band and, with her encouragement, other bands were formed locally such as The Villagers, The Hillsiders, The Wessex Ranters, The Scarecrows and Allsorts. The Woodlarks Residential Home for the Less Able also remembers her for the formation and training of their Chairbound Dance Team. Mary, as well as teaching the dances, played the accordion until she broke her wrist not many years ago. Her example encouraged and motivated several callers.
Mary has been associated with Halsway Manor for many years and is still running dance weekends at the Manor with over seventy visits so far. Her knowledge of Folk dances and those of Morris and Rapper is phenomenal and it is difficult to recall a time when she had to refer to the book.
Until recently Mary had been supported by the companionship of her lifelong friend Irene Pike (known to one and all as Rene), who shared her home and who never failed to attend any function at which Mary was present until ill health prevented her from doing so.
Our thanks to you, Mary, come from all the many thousands of people who have benefited directly or indirectly from your sense of fun, expertise and enthusiasm for so many years.
In North East Hampshire we will be celebrating Mary's 95th birthday with a dance. It will be on Sunday March 30th 2008 at the Alton Assembly Rooms from 3.00pm until 7.30pm, and all are cordially invited. For further information see the advert (pdf format here or see the printed edition).
To quote from Mary herself, "Folk has given me a great deal in life, so that is why I try to help other people if I can." And she does!
Brian Gurney (Farringdon Folk Dance Club), Joan Nash and David Roberts
HAMPSHIRE SONGS AT SHEDFIELD
The Gardiner Appreciation Group are putting on a concert of Hampshire songs at Shedfield Reading Room on Saturday 9th February at 7.30 pm. The Group was set up by Bob Askew and Paul Hawkins to publicise Hampshire's wonderful heritage of folk song. It takes its name from Dr George Gardiner who collected over 1,200 songs in the county between 1905 and 1909. Bob will be introducing the concert, and will give a five minute introduction to the work of George Gardiner and other collectors in Hampshire.
The concert is headlining Gwilym and Carol Davies who made tape-recordings of Hampshire's traditional singers and musicians in the 1960s and 70s. They will be performing Hampshire songs, and will be talking about the musicians and singers. One of the old venues was Sam's Hotel (now called Samuel's Rest), which is a few minutes walk from the venue.
Rob Mills will also be singing. He is a local singer who learned songs from his father. Most folk singers perform in folk clubs nowadays, but Rob carries on the tradition of singing at family and social events. He may also have a few stories about the old days.
Anne Winter is singing in support. She has learned a number of songs from her home area in the Hayling-Havant area.
Don't miss this chance to hear Hampshire's own songs. Tickets £5.00. Enquiries to Bob Askew 020 7928 8076. bob_askew@hotmail.co.uk and download leaflet/poster at www.scoff.org.uk/hantsong.pdf.
She will be coming to Soberton for a FASH Workshop to lead us in a singing workshop to let us learn some techniques, harmonies and generally enjoy singing together.
£7, FASH Members £5 American bring and share lunch More information 01489 892911
Download pdf leaflet/poster for this event
HAMPSHIRE SING OUT WEEKEND
This Event was to have been on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th March at The Lantern, Romsey, but has now been postponed to early summer. More details from TAPS on 01256 474014.
Tea Hodzic: Songs from the Balkan countries and how to sing them
Paul Wilson & Marilyn Tucker: English Folk songs from the West Country, singing as a group
Roger Watson: Group songwriting, based on making new versions of traditional songs
Rahi Bains: Punjabi and other Indian songs with accompanying traditional folk instruments
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Submitted by (to whom technical queries and requests for additional links only) and Edited by Dennis Wheeler, Penshurst, Vicarage Lane, Swanmore, Hants SO32 2PW 01489 892911 editor@fash.org.uk).