We did a lot of advertising through the Vancouver Public Library system, which graciously sent posters to all their branches. We grew to three members, one of those being the librarian in charge of the sports department at the main branch, who has since moved to Calgary.

During that first year we performed at a mini ale held by VMM ("Salmonala"), for visiting Hong Kong Morris and danced by the fountain outside what is now the Vancouver Art Gallery. We actually performed at Seattle's Folklife Festival in 1987! We were joined by a dancer from Toronto's Green Fiddle Morris, and a friend of hers visiting from England - a former member of the Southsea Belles, in Portsmouth.

That first year, we danced out in West Vancouver at the West Vancouver Days along with VMM in the long, long uphill parade to the Seniors Centre. At that time we were four. Soon after that, we acquired three new members, who learned quickly and soon we were able to perform dances for six, but still to taped music. Next, we acquired a real live musician - a fiddle player! He brought along his girlfriend, and a couple of her friends to increase the dancers' ranks. The dance traditions being performed were Bampton & Headington with one or two Bleddington.

The name and kit change happened around 1988, during a discussion on a ferry to Victoria, where we were going to take part in a Litchfield workshop. After one too many remarks about "The Captain's Ladies", we became Tiddley Cove Morris and the blue pants were exchanged for red skirts. After the workshop, Litchfield dances were added to our repertoire - Ring O' Bells and Vandals of Hammerwich. Then followed a fair bit of exchange of dancers with Edmonton's "Shepherds Eh!" and the addition of seven or eight local dancers and musicians.

Sometime in the mid-1990's, Tiddley Cove were exposed to rapper sword dancing with a workshop given by Ken and Sherry of the now defunct "Tenpenny Bit" from Seattle. One rule we had about rapper was "no wimping", well actually we had two rules, the other being a dancer had to learn Morris before taking up rapper, to show they were co-ordinated. So, five of us worked on rapper. After 3-4 years we gave up after a few injuries, (not due to the dance!) were proving too much for the individuals to handle. We also tried Longsword dancing.

We performed all three dance styles at Granville Island, at the Ferndale dance festival and of course at the Northwest Folklife Festival in Seattle.

We've been to a few ales and held three - Vancouver Naturale, and two Lammas Ales, had some good times and of course some bad times, what group doesn't? We've had times of plenty (of able dancers) and other times we've struggled to put a set together. In the early years, we went to an Ale in L.A. without a musician, but a red skirt and wig were loaned to a certain musician/dancer from the Vancouver Morris Men who never turns our requests down, and he became an honorary Tiddley Cove member.

We still have a few of our original dancers, and even some of the "later arrivals" have been around long enough to be considered part of "the core." We're working to encourage dancers to take up instruments as well, useful during times of injury and to give the main musicians a break now and then, and even a chance to dance themselves!

Fifteen years after the founding of "Captain's Ladies", and numerous personnel changes, Tiddley Cove Morris is going strong, expanding their repertoire, and always welcoming new members. We'd also like to send a nod of acknowledgement out to the dear scoundrels known as the Vancouver Morris Men, who have encouraged us, shared their knowledge, and shared the stage with us. Cheers!