Mr Happy,

Malcolm Douglas is almost completely correct in stating that the licensee will carry the can for ill advised action on your part.

There is, however, one point he has missed. The new law imposes the same penalty on anyone organising, or providing facilities for, unlicensed music.

If you put together a protest by organising illegal sessions, you will be risking your own cash, and your own liberty, while those who merely join you will be safe under the law.

Can you afford to do that? I know I couldn't.

And before you start slagging me off, I've been an active folkie for 45 years, and I've been actively fighting this stupid legislation for the last four, without success.

The only way forward is to work with what we've got.

Get your landlord to apply, then be ready to rub Westminster's nose in it when the final tally of lost venues becomes evident.

They wouldn't listen to us as concerned citizens. What makes you think they will value our opinions more as criminals?

Don T.