This from the Mummers play thread.

Now I find myself in very difficult position. I would really like for this to be a success and for you all to come and enjoy Weymouth and Portland.

However, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council are organising/funding this festival and most of the events take place in their theatre.

This council have used their broad interpretation of the 'two in a bar' exemption to prevent an unpaid folk sessions and are just about to use it against another long-running session. They have also insisted on a licensing condition that banned Morris dancing.

I have been trying for two years to get the councillors to change their current definition of the word 'performer'. A change to a narrower definition, open to them, that would enable these events, not to be classed as public entertainment and be in line with Human Rights legislation, but to no avail.

They do not see this as an important enough issue and are under the
impression that few people care.

Now whether you come and support this council's Folk Festival must be a matter for you. But whether you intend to come or not, can I ask that you make your views known to the Chief Executive Tom Grainger as to how best he can ensure future support from the folk community for their folk festival?

TomGrainger@weymouth.gov.uk

And copied to the local paper.

Dorset Evening Echo newsdesk@dorsetecho

Many thanks