Morris dancers' bells 'breached ban on music'

A group of morris dancers were asked to leave a pub in Durham on Saturday (30 July) because the bells on their clogs were deemed to breach a ban on music.

Members of the Slubbing Billys troupe, based in Slaithwaite near Huddersfield, were hoping to have a drink in the Swan and Three Cygnets pub after performing in Durham's market place in the afternoon.

However, when two female dancers entered the pub wearing the bells, the group was promptly instructed to vacate the premises by a barmaid who stressed that the bells went against the strict 'no music in pubs' policy of Samuel Smith brewery, who own the pub.

Kirklees council officer and Slubbing Billys member, Duggs Carre, told local newspaper the Northern Echo: "We couldn't believe it when we were told in the strongest possible terms to leave. A woman member of staff hollered 'no bells' at us.

"One of our group, wearing his Morris dance gear, went in first and was served a pint of beer without question.

But when two of our lady members followed wearing bells they were told to get out out.

"There were about 15 of us and we all went around the corner to the Half Moon instead. We had been dancing in the Market Square on Saturday afternoon and were thirsty, we were looking forward to a refreshing pint."

Band member Jill Morris added: "We have danced in a number of countries, Belgium, Holland and France, as well as all over the UK and never encountered anything like this before.

"We weren't attempting to perform in the pub, simply enjoy a quiet drink. But apparently bells on our toes means we will not have music wherever we go, at least not in the Swan and Three Cygnets."