WITH reference to the letter you published on Saturday, April 29, (Will York Pub Send The Posh Folk Packing?)

Here is the reasoning behind our ban on hats and why ladies in hats will be allowed in without having to remove their headdress on

York Races ladies' day, weddings or any other form of official social occasion.

It has always been hat etiquette for a gentleman to remove his hat when entering a building, and also for ladies unless on a social occasion, as your readers may like to read on the following website:

http://weblog.delacour.net/archives/000710.html.

One customer said: "I'm a Yorkshireman and I never remove my flat cap."

Well, I'm a Yorkshireman too, but I'm also a gentleman.

Flat caps are so called because they can be removed and folded flat, then placed in a pocket

until required again.

Posh folk, as the writer of the letter called them, will not be turned away; nor will any other lady or gent, posh or not, as long as they have hat etiquette.

Andy Henstock,

Marcia Grey public house,

Acomb, York.

Updated: 09:28 Tuesday, May 09, 2006