Clog dancer from Linton, Northumberland.
Born in Pegswood, Northumberland on 11th September 1914. His family moved to Linton, nearby in 1924. In 1938 Sammy moved to the south of England to find work and remained there until his death on 12th November 1993. Initially a pupil of Jimmy Ellwood with whom he performed as a youth. After he had learned six steps he was passed on to Eddie May in about 1927 and subsequently to George Golightly of Ashington. Competed (unplaced) in the 1935 Northumberland and Durham Championships at Stanley, Co. Durham. He also recalled dancing at events in Amble, North Seaton, Morpeth and Blyth, Northumberland and was said to have been the “Northumberland Champion” between 1931 and 1933.. He judged at the Four Northern Counties Championship in 1976.
In the early 1980s’s Sam became a member of the Reading Step and Traditional Dance Group and regularly taught at their Clog and Step Dance Festivals. He had steps in both triple-time hornpipe (4/4) and waltz (3/4) rhythms. Full details, together with notations, are available through the tabs below, together with films of him dancing.
His steps are also published in:
M. Cherry, Originality.The Steps of Samuel Bell, Twyford: The Author, (1984)
M. Cherry, Originality. 40 Years of Clogs and a Drum, Victoria BC: Trafford Publishing, (2007)
Newcastle Series Sammy Bell's Waltz
Seven steps notated from by collector Julie Williams, augmented by the film made of Sammy's steps in 1981 and notes made by others.
Newcastle Series Sammy Bell's Basic Hornpipe
Six steps notated from by collector Julie Williams, augmented by the film made of Sammy's steps in 1981 and notes made by others. These are steps which Sam used when teaching beginners.
Newcastle Series Sammy Bell's Exhibition Hornpipe
Six steps notated from by collector Julie Williams, augmented by the film made of Sammy's steps in 1981 and notes made by others. These are steps which Sam considered showed off the steps to their best advantage.
Sammy Bell, Filmed in 1981
Sammy was filmed in 1981 by Barry Callaghan of Garland Films. The film was shot in two parts; the steps in Reading, Berkshire, on 21st January 1981 and the interviews, with Ann-Marie Hulme, at Hedgerly, Buckinghamshire, on 16th May 1981. It show the majority of the published steps.