The Morris Fool is traditionally one of the side’s more experienced dancers, who can mess about without messing up the dances. His role is often to liaise with the audience and keep the show going. The current Leicester Fool also usually acts as announcer as he has a loud voice (the rest of the side would probably call it a big mouth!). The Fool also tries to pick up hats that are blown away, dropped hankies, broken sticks and free beer!

Leicester’s old Fool, Steve George, who was still dancing past his 80th birthday, wore a blue smock in a traditional Leicestershire woodcutter’s design, specially made for him by Miss Gustafsen of the old Leicester Domestic Science College. This is now in the side’s archive. The current Fool, Pete Johnson, wears a smock in unbleached calico made for him by his late mother. He usually wears a top hat but can also change headgear when the mood takes him.

Leicester Morrismen are also blessed with (or plagued by) a Fox , who appears randomly from time to time. Not all Morris sides have a beast or animal among their members, but these creatures usually have some local connection. In Leicester’s case the Fox obviously relates to the strong hunting tradition of Leicestershire. This character actually dances with the other men and appears to be quite good at it, but like the Fool he appreciates the attention of the audience and is not averse to playing the odd trick. He once entered himself in a village dog show and won a prize, and then there was the insurance claim involving the Fox, a herd of cows and a Morris Minor . . . don’t ask!

Leicester Morrismen are fortunate to have a number of musicians skilled in the art of playing for the dance. Senior amongst them is Geoff Halford, who most usually plays the fiddle very expertly but can also play melodeon and concertina to good effect – his repertoire of tunes is staggering. To top this he is also a fine singer with a rich bass voice. Roy Thody and Tony Mellor both excel on the melodeon, and Paul Whiting’s instrument is concertina. When we appear as Red Leicester extra musicians sometimes get roped in, playing drum, tambourine and if we can get it, brass.