The full details are as follows (this is from John Byfleet, a member of Wessex Morris, and is reproduced with his permission):


"We fell foul of the two in a bar rule this Monday [16 December 2002] at Wessex Morris Men's annual performance of the mummers play in the Cerne Abbas pubs. Normally ( for the last twenty years anyway) we go to the Royal Oak & sing & play en masse having performed the play in each of Cerne's three pubs (to a largely disinterested audience). A mumming team comprises around half a dozen and therefore if performed in pubs fall foul of the law as it stands.

"Until recently most of us were totally unaware of the two in a bar rule - it seems to have been honoured in the breach in the thirty odd years I have been participating in pub sessions, mummers etc - so no harm is done, but this year someone notified the Council that there was an intended performance comprising more than two players and presumably complained about same. Council apparatchik turns up at our chosen base pub - the Red Lion - on Monday morning and warns landord that he will be for the high jump if he breaks the law.

"Result = mummers play performed once only out in the square and much reduced session in the Lion - thus are developing folk customs suppressed !"

Privately, John has suggested who might have notified the Council - so perhaps advertising in the local paper did not make any difference?

Alan Curtis
Bagman, Dr Turberville's Morris