Following several press statements over the last couple of weeks from the Morris Ring concerning the use of full black/skin tone face make up a meeting was called by the executive members of The Britannia Coconut Dancers and was held on Monday 20th July 2020 to discuss the matter which was outlined by the JMO. We were saddened to receive this statement as it perceives that we and other teams who these bodies represent have a tradition that is not fit for the modern day. The Britannia Coconutters have evolved within our community upholding a folk dance & music which is honest and unique. Our age old tradition is embedded in the hearts and souls of the people of Bacup, Rossendale and overseas.  

As a team we have discussed the use of black face makeup in great detail and have come to a unanimous decision that this will continue to be part of our unique mining tradition, removing any part of our costume will take away the mystique of who we are. The dances were devised by local miners. Since they all had permanently black faces on working days, from the outset it became an essential part of the tradition that they also performed with black faces. This tradition has now been maintained continuously for more than a century. It has no connection with ethnicity nor any form of racial prejudice.

We have been in discussions with the committee members of the Morris Ring over the past few weeks but have been unable to find a compromise that would be suitable for both The Britannia Coconutters and The Morris Ring. 

We as a team have concluded that our membership of the Morris Ring will cease at the end of this year and trust that the JMO will understand and respect our decision to continue with the integrity and respect as we have for many centuries. We would like to wish all members of the JMO the very best for the future and hope to one day work with The JMO.

It is both sad & regrettable that The Morris Ring and The Britannia Coconut Dancers have come to this impasse which has been driven by outside forces.

We would like to wish ‘The Nutters’ all the best for the future and hopefully in time we will find a way to work together again.

Pete Simpson.

Squire of the Morris Ring