Accounts of the history and descriptions of the Bagman's awards can be found in the short history of Thelwall Morris or in more detail in the long history version.
Here are award winners from the period of the Thelwall Morris Men web site
Presented for singular idiocy.
2022: Geoff "Saudi Bob" Porte for, despite being sent an email
with explicit direction to the pub we were dancing out at, he went to the wrong
Saracens Head.
2021: Jasper: For showing great eagerness to have his photograph taken
with Elsa, despite not knowing who Elsa was (from Frozen). We sought her out and
I attracted her attention saying there a little boy here wants his picture taken
with you - as she looked around, I pointed at jasper.
2020: Andrew White: For going out prior to the "socially
distanced" walking and carefully measuring each dance spot for suitability
2019: Andrew White: For his stupidity at coming to a Morris Dance out, and
leaving home without hat, belt, bells, or hankies.
2018: Peter "Jasper" Robinson: Queried original start time of 8.30,
and changed it to 8.15 for his posting of the pub. He turned up late at about
8.25 (ready for 8.30?). But it turned out he wasn't a little late, but
ridiculously early as the Dull Buaaer had postered the pub for Julv not June.
2017: Bill Sperinck:: Despite website and notices, he believed his own calendar
and turned up late for Bawming the Thorn, in fact after we'd all gone off to
Thelwall for the Rose Queen
2016: Steve Guest: Every year since the slippery ferret went missing calls have
been made in the hope that the person with it would remember they had it. Only
when specifically asked to search homes to bring in awards for TRQ exhibition
did Steve finally discover he had had the award all the time.
2015: David Devereux: Several reasons - 1. Whilst following some ladies
with their pets in a procession when asked what position we were he announced
that we were "following the dogs": 2. Left his sweat shirt at home,
but still left the event with Robs: 3. Handed out a leaflet that he had printed
wth the middle pages upside down to the outer
2014: Dave for general all purpose dullness
2013: Not awarde, but held in trust by honourable mention Dull Bugger, Dave
2012: Dave Devereau for leaving Hon Member tankerd after AGM and knowing,
leaving kit at Gordon,s do, forgetting kit at Mega2012 and leaving waistcoat
containing valuable pocket watch behind after dancing out + more
2011: Steve Guest for leaving kit (hat) at pub AND ignoring music during solo
jig and finishing 1.5 seconds after the music finished AND nerdish obsessiveness
on how to roll up the Lymm Hankies.
2010: Steve Guest for missing an evening to attend a Tom Paxton concert, whom
he'd seen in concert umpteen times before (see 1997 Slippery Ferret for
precedent)
2009: Kevin Farrell for promoting himself with the media to get on a TV
programme broadcast on BBC Parliament channel
2008: Andrew White for missing weeks following an operation that remains
unspoken about, then missing even more due to a knee operation following an
injury obtained dancing with another team
2007: Kevin Farrell for leading a party of dancers and musicians to a
Wetherspoons pub in Bedford when the team was required to dance at a Beer
Festival - the team had to find another musician to play instead.
2006: Dave Devereux-Pratt, for managing to get himself locked in the Parish Hall
after a practice.
2005: Henry, for almost getting us barred from the Little Manor.
2004: Steve Guest, for his continued pessimism on the future of Thelwall Morris Men
(this one is wearing a bit thin, now!)
2003: Steve Guest, for the appalling state of his hat and refusal to buy a new
one one because of his predicted imminent demise of the side
2002: Steve Guest, for his continued pessimism on the future of Thelwall Morris Men
2001: Bruce, for crying off Moulton weekend to take another booking
2000: Steve Guest, for consistent pessimism over the last 5 years on predicting
the demise of the side (plus a late bid by attempting to reassemble the Mallow
Shield during the award ceremony)
1999: Dave Pratt, for leaving the Squire's Tankard (c.20 years old) in such a position that it could be run over by a van! - Closely contested by Bruce who sat and watched it being run over
1998: Cecil Parkinson/Tim (ex-squire of the Morris Ring) Sircombe
- Jointly received the award for their non-attendance at the 25th
Anniversary Day
1997: Dave Pratt - At Moulton, all Thelwall MM outside while
Prattman was inside waiting for the team to socialise
1996: Gordon Gilmore, for giving up the Morris at a time when
TMM need more men, not less
1995: The Fool, for putting the whole side in jeopardy of
hernias by putting them in the position of having to lift Dolores
from Balyphehane - 20 stone and still counting - at the end of
TMM version of Banbury Bill Bampton.
Two Left Feet Award.
2022: Geoff Bibby: For, bizzarly the same reason as last year, this time
calling a figure in a dance which does not have that figure.
2021: Geoff Bibby: For a brainstorm in his random calling resulting in the
dancer being a right mess with confusion throughout.
2020: Not awarded - insufficient data, courtesy of Covid-19
2019: David Devereux: The Award goes to David, for not forming the set up
pomptly as per his own instructions for the Show Dance at Buxton, THEN
forcing himself into the set by kicking Malcolm out, who had formed up
promptly, THEN he messed up the dance (particularly the slows) - though he will,
no doubt, blame his ankle.
2018: Rob Pracy: Oddington (Young Collins) - he called half gyp, but did B-B.
Half way through realised his mistake but still did B-B second half. too
2017: David Devereux: For making a particularly large number of odd movements
during a dance from, appropriately named, Oddington
2016: Andrew White: Failing to remember that "Old Tyler" was a set
dance and not a column, and demonstrated this "confusion" several
times during the dance
2015: Rob Pracy: Croft Carnival and dancing 6-man vandals he called it three
time because HE kept getting it wrong - he was dancing from No.1 which is the
easiest position dance it from!
2014: Andrew for Going arse over tit whilst trying to impress (show off to) some
ladies in the audience.
2013: Kevin, for attempt to take out a dancer (Andrew) from an already weakened
team in Galway.
2012: Rob, who has danced Winster Processional for miles over the years - failed
to cross with partner.
2011: Rob, for being the only person to finish feet together in a Bampton dance,
which we NEVER finish that way. The dance was new to the team this year, taught
by Rob.
2010: Henry, for explaining in great detail to Mike how to do the chorus
correctly in The Quaker, and promptly doing it wrong himself
2009: Geoff Bibby and Henry Addison who, as prime commenters on Steve's
inability to do the rounds in Illmington, successfully messed it up together at
Hawarden Farm Shop. Accepted by Geoff, as he continues to mess up the
rounds.
2008: Rob Pracy for a spectacular leap and landing on all fours during a display
dance in Williamson Square, Liverpool
2007: Andrew White for his ability to make so many basic mistakes at EVERY venue
of the Easter Monday Tour (first outing of the year)
2006: Dave Devereux-Pratt for, after 3-years of doing 6-man Lichfield was still
able to go the wrong way in the hey (at our highest fee paying venue, too)
2005: Geoff Bibby, for failing to start a dance properly at the Woolston WI
demonstration lecture, after the audience had been specifically directed to him
for a good example of footwork.
2004:The whole team made some silver shoe faux pas at the Fearnhead WI
night - Foreman accepts award on behalf of the team.
2003: Not awarded because, in the eyes of the bagman, there has been a lack of
instances when the award could be given - if only he turned out more he would
have known [very] different.
2002: Geoff Bibby - Unusual to see the foreman take a tumble during a dance
(Walking Tour 2002)
2001: Dave Pratt for successfully performing a sliding tackle on Ned, mid-dance.
2000: Geoff Bibby, for falling on his rear end mid dance at Lymm Dam
1999: Andrew White, for spectacular fall during a dance at the Ring Meeting whilst being videoed by the Ring Archivist
1998: The entire group of past members who partook in
"Vandals of Hammerwich" at the Shady Oak on the 25th
Anniversary Day - 100 years experience of Morris dancing between
them and nobody got it right
1997: Rob Pracy, for falling over on more than one occasion
during the year when dancing (Norton Priory and Warrington town
tour)
1996: Steve Guest, for failing to make any height and collapsing
on floor during Glorishers (leap-frog) Fieldtown
1995: Dave Pratt, for consistency.
Best / most implausible / ridiculous excuse for not turning up for dancing out.
2022: Steve Guest: In years gone by he made a point of arranging his
holidays at the end of the dancing - he now takes them during the dancing season
at the beginning of each month!
2021: Ian Lloyd: For an excuse taken out of context. As we all know we never let
the truth prevent us from giving out awards to the dancers.. The excuse was,,,
"I don't want to go dancing out because I'll probably dance"
2020: Not awarded - insufficient data, courtesy of Covid-19
2019: Kevin Farrell: Kevin danced out 12 out of 22 outings. I'm sure that
somewhere in those 10 missed venues, there will be at least one lame /
exaggerated truth in the reason for the absence. So Kevin received the
statistically likely Slippery Ferret. goes to Kevin. BUT since it is only a
statistically likely Slippery Ferret - he gets the actual award and a special
exclusive statistical version of it.
2018: Steve Guest: Steve committed himself to Home Farm, Tatton, both in
anticipation of the invitation and also when the invitation came in. Clearly in anticipation
of the event he reported this to his wife along the lines of his desire to visit
animals. She instantly mis-heard and promptly booked a holiday to, amongst other
places, Botswana and a game safari. So, for crying off a booking, because he failed
to make it totally clear to his wife the difference between Tatton Park Home
Farm and South African Game Reserves, Steve receives the appropriately named
animal award -The Slippery Ferret.
2017: Peter "Jasper" Robinson: Jasper arranged to go see Warrington RL,
knowing that that everything was perfectly to time for him to be able to get to
the match in time (3.00) - he left mid last spot.
2016: Kevin Farrell: not for a poor or feeble excuse, 'cos there were never any
excuses given, but for making us rely of Facebook during the year to see
if he miaht tum uo.
2015: Andrew White: After persuading the team to go to Holmfirth Folk Festival,
then scrounging an invitation, he went to Holmfirth with another team.
2014: Jasper for "doing his back in putting his kit on"
2013: Rob who, despite being retired several years was unable to go to Galway
due to work comittments
2012: Jasper who cried off of a paid booking on Shrove Tuesday because the time
"not compatible with serious pancake eating.
2011: Mike Amberry for continually being able to find an excuse for not being there
- Mike wasn't there to receive the award!
2010: Mike Amberry for always being able to find an excuse for not being there.
2009: Norman Partington who regularly cries off dancing out and practices to go
watch Stoke City AND did not to come to the AGM to go and see a Cliff Richard
and the Shadows Concert (Note: He was also given the slippery gullet award to
use in the event of post Cliff Concert syndrome..
2008: Kevin Farrell for providing no reasonable excuse for not joining the team
at the Ring Meeting for the evenings dancing
2007: Arthur Ronald for deciding to cruise the canals of England during the
dancing season
2006: Steve Guest, who failed to learn any lessons from last year and AGAIN
double booked himself and pulled out of dancing at the last minute.
2005: Steve Guest for saying he was available for a booking, then nearer the
time pulling out after realising he had booked a holiday for that week.
2004: Geoff Bibby, who took the desperate measure of breaking an ankle to get out
of dancing.
2003: Derek Bradburne, for refusal to travel on the bus during our Bus tour
because he doesn't "do" public transport.
2002: Derek Bradburne, for developing arthritis just to avoid coming to the morris
2001: Jim Berry, for poor attendance - considering he only lives 100yds away.
2000: Rob Pracy for putting his career and livelihood before the morris.
1999: Jim Berry, for missing everything during the year
1998: Ged - Knew the date of the 25th Day well in advance and
still booked a holiday to go away that weekend
1997: Bruce, for failing to pay out 20 quid for a day of dance
to go off and get paid 85 for a 2 hour gig
1996: Bluey, for insisting (at 1995 AGM) that he would turn out
during the year and hasn't been seen since (as at 1996 AGM)
Embarrassing Illness Award for the most embarrassing illness during the year
2022: Steve "Malcolm" Sargent: For his enthusiasm and taking too
much pleasure in explaining his hernia in great detail
2021: No takers
2020: No known takers
2019: No takers
2018: No takers
2017: No takers
2016: No taker, though Jasper had partial leg removal operation (aka
varicose vein removal)
2015: No takers
2014: Not awarded, though thought Jasper should be embarrassed at the frequency
with which he gets injured etc... ...last dance out... ...Hmm
2013: Alex, who in was a write off for the first day's dancing. Only he seems to
believe it wasn't due to over indulgence the night before.
2012: No takers
2011: Richard received the Embarrassing Illness Award for, well, rather not say,
though to be described as an illness need to go back to the 60s.
2010: No takers
2009: No takers, but the actual award passed back to Norman (see Slippery
Ferret, 2009)
2008: Norman for something we don't speak about - though the photo may provide
something of a clue
Slippery Gullet for the most impressive display of throwing up
2007: No takers
2006: No takers
2005: No takers
2004: No takers
2003: No takers (if that is the right word!)
2002: No takers
2001: No takers
2000: No takers
1999: Steve Guest - for his performance at Moulton
1998: No takers
1997: Not awarded but retained by Derek who looked the person
most likely to
1996: Derek - The fish in the Bridgewater Canal have yet to
recover
Activities significantly enhancing Thelwall Morris in some way.
2022: Geoff Bibby: For overcoming extreme difficulties in performing the
Foreman's role
2021: Jick Nelson: For his magnificent Coronavirus "costume" for the
Zoom Mummers Play
2020: Andrew White: Getting team dancing well enough for socially
distanced event
2019: Rob Pracy: For an unprecedented 6 consecutive years he has served as
Foreman.
2018: Peter "Jasper" Robinson: In Helmond - Going back to Jan Visser
(from town, about a mile) to collect short sticks
2017: Henry: Lugging the banner around Thelwall through procession for Thelwall
Rose Queen
2016: David Devereux: For his carpentry stills in making a new collecting vessel
(box) to replace the badly kept hat - also a sterling effort made in a
recruiting campaign, despite lack of success. BUT during a Radio 5 Live
interview he failed to mention the team name
2015: Henry: Despite resting a damaged knee, he was forced to turn out because
we only had 6-men, and had to dance all dances.
2014: Pierre for learning melodeon, practicing every week and turning out to
Ring Meeting to assist Jasper as musician (and releasing Andrew to dance).
2013: Henry, organising stuff is passé for Henry, but opening up home and
providing afternoon tea for 50 plus morris dancers is beyond the call of duty.
Award accepted as Manager of the Addison Catering and Conference Facilities,
Lowton.
2012: Henry again for project managing the Tea and Stickies Event and the Day of
Dance Also for self financing an exploratory trip to Ireland for 2013.
2011: Henry for his contribution to the organisation of the Easter Monday
sandwiches, Tea and Stickies Event and his part in the Day of Dance.
2010: Steve Guest for volunteering (practically every year) to do the catering
on Easter Monday
2009: Henry for travelling 1000 miles to check out a possible dancing venue.
2008: Derek Britch for musicianing throughout the year
2007: Andrew White for acting as e-bagman throughout the year and for
maintaining enthusiasm in the maintenance of the TMM website.
2006: Rob Pracy, for regularly (most weeks during the year) driving up from the
midlands (associated with work) to practices and dancing out
2005: Geoff Bibby, for the production of a set of Swords for Thelwall MM to move
on and do some sword dancing.
2004: Andrew White, for almost single handed running the team during the year.
2003: Steve Guest, for organising the Warrington Borough Transport Bus tour.
2002: Geoff Bibby, for his continued optimism over the future of the side.
2001: Ned - without whom there would not have been a team some nights during the
summer
2000: Andrew White, for spreading the history of Thelwall Morris Men across the
World Wide Web
1999: Derek Bradburne, for being indispensable.
Note: There was an unkind proposal that the award should go to the entire team, except Bibby's kids, for putting up with Bibby's kids.
1998: Andrew White, for compiling and printing the 25th
anniversary book, producing anniversary badges and organising the
25th Anniversary day
Geoff Bibby is to receive a special award for his dedication and
contribution to Thelwall Morris Men from day 1
1997: Geoff Bibby, for continued contribution to Thelwall Morris
Men - "Done more for TMM than anybody in the last 25
years"
1996: Andrew White, for fine work as foreman over last two years
1995: Kevin Farrell, for organising the International Festival
of Dance in the face of galloping inertia from the rest of the
side.
Voted at the AGM by those members present.
2022: Rob Pracy
2021: Andrew White
2020: Andrew White
2019: Rob Pracy
2018: Rob Pracy
2017: Derek "Del" Britch
2016: Rob Pracy
2015: Andrew White
2014: Rob Pracy
2013: Richard "Rick" Nelson
2012: Del Britch
2011: Rob Pracy
2010: Andrew White
2009: Not awarded - no-one has owned up yet to having possession of it.
2008: Not awarded because, as usual we forgot and the award seems to have gone
AWOL
2007: Andrew White (after a re-count)
2006: Del Britch
2005: Geoff Bibby
2004: Andrew White
2003: Geoff Bibby
2002: We forgot to do this!
2001: Kevin Farrell
For the most successful assignation with a member of the opposite sex (to be
polite).
2022: Not awarded
2021: Not awarded
2020: Not awarded
2019: Not awarded but pretty sure Jasper would like it. but he never seems to
actually achieve it
2018: Not awarded
2017: Not awarded
2016: Not awarded
2015: Not awarded, but some "near misses"
2014: Not awarded
2013: Near miss to Jasper, who chatted up every foreign girl in Galway aged
between 25 and 35
2012: Near miss for shenanigans between Steve and Dave at a kissing gate at
Chipping Campden - there are times when we really ought to have at least one
woman in the team.
2011: Not awarded - no-one even close.
2010: Not awarded, though a near miss from Steve (he's claiming it was his
neice)
2009: Not awarded - Steve's eaten the swede and lost the mount, though David
made a late bid for the Digital Mounted Swede (see
here)
2008: Still not awarded despite Jasper's presence at quite a few of the outings
2007: Not awarded
2006: Kevin Farrell, who, at Moulton managed (to quote the Bagman), "meet,
court, get engaged, consummate, and split up in one evening"
Go to The Bagman's Awards
Go to Thelwall Morris Men Home Page