MP Bob celebrates with Morris Dancers

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 2nd Jun 2009

Colchester MP Bob Russell broke away from politics and electioneering at the weekend to take part in celebrations to mark the 75th Anniversary of The Morris Ring of England, which was centred on the Essex village of Thaxted which has been the spiritual home of England's traditional male folk dance since the Ring was formed.

He is pictured with Colchester Morris Men outside The Guild Hall in Thaxted during Saturday evening's mass dancing display featuring some 400 Morris Men from 33 clubs from different parts of the country.

Mr Russell was a specially invited guest and spoke at the feast held in Thaxted's historic parish church. His late father, Colchester school teacher Ewart "Rusty" Russell, was a national officer of the Ring - as Bagman, the combined post of treasurer and secretary - from 1959 to 1971. His father was a founder member of the Colchester Morris Men in 1952.

On the Saturday he accompanied the Colchester Morris Men, along with three other sides, on one of the eight tours of small towns and villages in Essex and Cambridgeshire. There were five displays in the course of the morning and afternoon, starting at Saffron Walden.

Mr Russell stayed in Thaxted on Friday and Saturday nights, before returning to Colchester to attend the Civic Service for new Colchester Mayor Councillor Henry Spyvee at Eld Lane Baptist Church on Sunday morning.

Liberal Democrat Mr Russell once challenged Prime Minister Tony Blair when he pointed out during Questions in the House of Commons that Arts Council England spent more money promoting Contemporary Latin American Art than it did England's traditional folk culture. He has also raised the same point during Questions to the Secretary of State for Culture. Following The Morris Ring's 75th Anniversary celebrations at the weekend, last night (Monday) he Tabled a House of Commons Motion to mark the occasion and to urge the Government to take action to help promote England's folk culture, both song and dance.