This concert recreates one given by Percy Manning in 1899 where he celebrates the revival of morris dancing and ‘exhibits’ Headington Quarry Morris Dancers, their dances, songs and music. It is timed to coincide with 2017 being the centenary of Manning’s death. Artists performing are Oxford folk band Magpie Lane with dancing by Headington Quarry Morris Dancers. Come and meet Percy Manning!

Percy Manning was the first proper Morris dance researcher. Everybody knows that it all began when Cecil Sharp met William Kimber and the Headington Quarry Morris Dancers on Boxing Day 1899. Not many know that that event might not have happened if Manning hadn’t persuaded the side to re-form for a concert nine months previously.

As well as morris dancing, Manning collected a large amount of material relating to Oxfordshire history, folklore and customs, including local May customs and mumming. This concert is just one event of many in Oxford celebrating the Percy Manning Centenary including: exhibits/displays at the Bodleian Library, the Ashmolean Museum, the Pitt Rivers Museum and the Museum of Oxford, educational activities and the publication of a book Percy Manning: The Man Who Collected Oxfordshire (Archaeopress).

Percy Manning Centenary details can be found here: http://folkinoxford.co.uk/percy-manning-...