Charles Michael Hammond – Green Man’s Morris and Sword Club
February 1942 – July 2012
Charles Michael Hammond, a dancer with Green Man’s Morris, died on July 29th 2012, having finally lost his six year battle with cancer. He is sadly missed by all who knew him.
Charles Michael were his given names, but to members of Green Man he was ‘Mike’ and so that is how I will refer to him.
Mike was born in Retford in Nottinghamshire and was brought up in Sheffield. He was educated, first at De la Salle Catholic School in Sheffield, then at UshawCollege in County Durham. Mike initially wanted to enter the Catholic priesthood and to that end, he continued his education at Valladolid in Spain, and, although he realised that the ministry was not for him, his faith continued to play a very important part in his life.
Mike and his brother in law Alan joined Escafeld Morris men in 1976, soon becoming a full member of the side, where he is remembered as a very popular member of the Club. Derrek Leigh a former member of Escafeld, remembers teaching Mike his first dances, and he describes how his inter personal skills and gentle manner soon made him a popular member of the side, and a potential leader in the making.
In 1978, when his work took him away from Sheffield, he joined Green Man’s Morris in Birmingham in the same year.
In 1980, Mike was elected Squire of Green Man, a position he held until 1982,and had also been the clubs’ Annals keeper for many years.
Mike may well be remembered best by those who attended the Green Man feast. For many years, he had been responsible, together with a small team of other men, for the preparation of the annual feast, which he did with great skill. Despite his illness, Mike continued in this role until November last year, when he and the team prepared their usual high standard meal.
Mike was always on hand to offer his assistance whenever he felt it was needed and he could always be relied upon to contribute to the life of the Club. This continued until Boxing Day 2011, when Mike took part, as Doctor Millie, in the Club’s Annual Mummers Play in Shenstone.
In recognition of his service to the club, Mike was made a Life Member in 2011.
Mike’s illness meant that he was not supposed to dance, but he continued to attend practises and frequently asked for a Lichfield dance, ‘The Vandalls of Hammerwich’ to be played. Of course he danced, and this dance will always be linked with memories of Mike. Those of us who attended his funeral danced this dance in his memory, remembering that it was only in February 2012, that Mike and his brother in law joined us at his 70th birthday party in the same church hall!
Away from the Morris, Mike lived a full life. He married Christine in 1969, and together they raised two sons, Andrew and Richard. In addition, Mike was a Cub Scout Leader for many years and was given a long service award for his efforts by the movement.
Mike’s funeral was held on 6th Augustin the Sacred Heart Church Sutton Coldfield. Apart from members of Green Man, Peter Halfpenney, Charlie Corcoran, members of Anker Morris, Stafford, Harthill and former members of Escafeld Morris attended the service, and provided entertainment during the afternoon.
Mike will be greatly missed by those who knewhim,and as one ex-Escafeldianputit, he was ‘a true Morris gentleman’
Paul Oldhams, Bagman, Green Mans Morris and Sword Club