Still Sexist

Traditional morris dancing clubs have been forced to accept female members to comply with the new Equality Act- but the women will still not be permitted to dance.

To head off the threat of a legal challenge, the Morris Ring, the country's oldest morris dancing organisation, has changed its constitution to allow women to join.  Equality, however, only stretches so far: women will be allowed as musicians and in other "organisational" roles but will still not be permitted to dance with the men.

The Ring, which represents 200 morris clubs across England, claims that the folk dance is a traditionally male activity and that because of its arduous nature, women should not be able to dance with men.

Under the new rules, women will be able to provide accompanying music on instruments such as the accordion, melodeon, concertina, fiddle, pipe or tabour, a type of drum.  Peter Halfpenney, "squire" (the equivalent of president) of the Ring, said:

"I would liken it to Manchester United not having any females in their first team. Their prime performers are men because they are physically stronger.  The physical difference is not going to change, but of course, we recognise that ladies have as much ability to organise or play music." 

What a wanker- how much physical exertion does it take to wave a hankie or pick up a stick?  I hope the new laws will be used to the full effect and wake up this bigoted dinosaur.