Why are Morris Dancers under threat from a shortage of irons?

[Jan McNulty]

I've just picked this link up from twitter:

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/shortcuts/2013/jun/16/morris-dancers-threat-shortage-irons

 

Although the piece is written in a humorous way, there is a serious undertone that yet more of our heritage may be disappearing.

 

I would be interested to know why they need the metal bits, the clogs in Fille and Hobsons always sound loud to me and I don't think they have metal bits.