Morris dancers with ‘noisy bells’ in pub ban
I have to admit I don’t really like Morris Dancing very much. Few of the dancers seem to come from rural professions – indeed a good number seem to be middle aged urban professionals rediscovering a slightly weird rural connection, perhaps often mythologised, of hankies, bells and odd bits of stick. They also only seem to know one tune.
I abhor discrimination of any kind however so the report below makes me want to stand shoulder to shoulder with them albeit without the bells!
“A group of morris dancers have complained after they were thrown out of a pub because the bells on their clogs put them in breach of a ban on music. Members of the Slubbing Billys troupe, based in Slaithwaite near Huddersfield, had retired to the Swan and Three Cygnets pub in Durham after performing in the city’s market place.
One of their number, council officer Duggs Carre, said that a barmaid shouted “no bells” before telling them “in the strongest possible terms” to leave because their tinkling costumes went against the strict policy of no music in pubs owned by the Samuel Smith brewery.”
And in case you wondered – I do really love a pint of Sam Smiths and the no music policy that goes with it.