Morris dancers 'banned from pub because bells on shoes broke music ban'

A group of Morris dancers claim they were banned from a pub because of the bells on their shoes. Slubbing Billys dance troupe were given their marching orders from the Swan and Three Cygnets pub in Durham, County Durham, which has a ban on any form of music. The dance group had spent the weekend in the city, performing in Durham's Market place. But they ran into trouble when they popped into the pub for a pint - because some of the members had bells attached to their feet.

Slubbing Billys member Duggs Carre, said: "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." The pub is owned by the Samuel Smith brewery which has a strict no music policy. The manager of the pub said he was not allowed to comment on the matter.