The Regulars ...

Ian Stewart

The only Dolphin to have his own page in the Domesday Book.  They're on the 11th Doctor Who but our founder and dance Foreman is still going strong.

Ian's main instrument now is a Fantini button accordion. (His old Paolo Soprani box - the "Sound of Dolphin" for nearly 40 years - has gone into honourable retirement). Like the Paolo, the new Fantini is a 4-voice G/D/A accordion with a conventional 72-bass layout for the left hand; the right-hand button layout is to Ian's own specification.

Ian also plays a Dino Baffetti 2-row (D/G), and can play bagpipes, guitar, bass guitar, various percussion instruments and just about anything else you put in front of him. He's fine singer, too!

Clive Cowx

Clive is our Bagman (secretary) and, apart from being the main organiser of pretty much everything, is responsible for the excellent flyers and posters we scatter around the East Midlands every year. Clive began his dancing career with Stafford in 1982 and has since danced with Adlington and Leicester Morris before settling with Dolphin.

He can sing, dance and play and still finds time as Dolphin's Archivist/Historian to  trawl the countryside looking for lost treasures from Dolphin's history.
Andy has compiled a terrific archive of documents and photographs: much of it is now published elsewhere on this site.

Dave is the current Webmaster and Treasurer (Swagman), previously doing an eight year stretch as Bagman. He is  becoming a regular if reluctant singer and is an  occasional bodhran player.

The longest serving Dolphin Squire in peacetime (2000-2007), Martin is an occasional singer, and a melodeon player with a distinctive Fortissimo style.

Just to clarify: peacetime didn't end in 2007; just Martin's stint as Squire!

This former Squire has a fantastic washboard and his drums can't be beat.  For the most rhythmic laundry Service in the East Midlands, call our resident laundrophonist, Ian Ambrose.

The Donald Campbell of the melodeon world, current holder of the world indoor and outdoor speed records.
Nick's main instruments are a  Salterelle Pastourelle 2½ row melodeon, pipe and tabor and trombone.

Guitarist and singer, and a former Squire, Chris is what, where he comes from, they call a "diamond geezer". Never lost for words, Chris has a story for every occasion. Chris was the mastermind behind our 40th anniversary reunion in 2008.

Globetrotter Bob is the amateur historian who single-handedly invented the history of the Gate to Southwell, laboriously tea-stained his notes to make them look old, and organised its "revival". Bob also hosts Dolphin's regular Spanish jaunts.

The unflappable Wil is a superb fiddle player, particularly in pub sessions, and a great asset to the side.

Joe Oskiewicz

The Ring's Ambassador to Wales (don't ask!).  With his distinctive lapsed-Bohemian style and his passion for French music, Joe is a fine addition to any pub music session.

"A tall, dark, handsome stranger will join you," said the gypsy. One out of four ain't bad - he's stranger than most.

Toby, probably the world's youngest morris dancer called Toby, has been dancing since he was in the womb and his high leaps make the rest of us look like a bunch of middle-aged men. Jon and Toby, father and son, are part of the great Melville-Garland morris dynasty and are steeped in the morris tradition.

Jon was a full-time member of the team for some years, before a new job in the West Midlands took him away from us. These days multi-instrumentalist Jon makes the 80 mile round trip to dance with us more regularly than some of our locals.

Our second Squire (1971-73) now lives way up in the Far North and works on wind farms, but joins Dolphin regularly for a summer tour or weekend away.

Erstwhile Dolphins (a selection of) ...

Steve was our longest serving Bagman ever (so far!) - 1990 to 2000.

Another ex-Squire, John has moved on to pastures new and is now a World renowned Modern Jive / Ceroc teacher and dancer. Worked for IBM for many years and has a logic chip for a brain. If John doesn't know which foot you should be on, chances are you should be sitting down.

Roy, who has hardly changed at all, was the team's first Bagman, in 1968, and later was to be the Squire. After many years in the morris wilderness (dancing with Musgraves) he is now a fully paid up Dolphin again. Welcome back Roy!

David "Captain Birds-eye" Gough, had been involved in the local morris for many years before spending several years with Dolphin.

After watching us at a safe distance for many years, local boy and stoat expert Andrew decided to give it a go, and entertained us from 2008 to 2011.

Chris Deuchar

One of Dolphin's two hirsute bargees.  With his long flowing locks, shaggy beard and banjo, Chris added a touch of "authenticity" to an otherwise mainly white collar side. Chris dances with Black Pig these days and writes about canal boats.

http://www.deuchars.org.uk/

Chris was a member of Dolphin in the team's early days but has been following 'other pursuits' for many years. Back with us for a brief period recently, Chris is a multi-talented musician, singer and all-round clever bloke!

Honorary Dolphins ...

Bert was the Squire of the Morris Ring when Dolphin were admitted to the Ring in 1971; and we have been close friends ever since.

Steve is a Greensleeves man, now living in Oxfordshire. Became an honorary Dolphin after many years of helping us host the Ring jigs instructionals. Dolphin spend a great, long. hot weekend at Steve's place in 2010, dancing in Bampton, Burford, Bledington, Ducklington, and some lovely riverside pubs.