Subject: RE: HELP CHANGE MUSIC IN MY COUNTRY. From: The Shambles Date: 14 Dec 01 - 07:48 AM UK folkies urgent help Minister insults folk music Uk folkies take note the law Gareth's site, local press coverage Trevor Gilson's site, Session Harassment, more general background information The proposed reforms (White Paper) |
Subject: HELP CHANGE MUSIC IN MY COUNTRY. From: The Shambles Date: 14 Dec 01 - 07:45 AM Over the past year I have struggled against a particular local problem presented to traditional musical activities by the UK's outdated licensing legislation and local authority enforcement of this.
I have received much help from many contributors to the Mudcat (wherever they live) and this has made a real difference. Mainly in demonstrating that I was not a lone voice, representing a minority view that can safely be ignored and dismissed. These letters and e mails have helped to raise public awareness to the threat presented by current legislation to music making generally and traditional activities in particular. Details of this can be found on the following threads and websites.
UK folkies urgent help Minister insults folk music Uk folkies take note the law Gareth's site, local press coverage Trevor Gilson's site, Session Harassment, more general background information
We all need to ensure that the proposed new legislation actually does improve the situation. There are some pretty big players in these licensing reform and there is great danger that our voice will not be heard. It is vital that it is.
To that end can I ask that the same concerted effort that was directed at my local authority, which was so successful, now be made to inform the Government of our concerns. These expressed from potential overseas tourists seem to hit home and those just expressing incredulity at the attitude here and contrasting them with other country's attitudes, would be effective too.
Please can you all help to change our country's attitude toward music forever?
Kim.Howells@culture.gsi.gov.uk is the minister responsible. The civil servants at the ministry do not seem to think that the public has many concerns for this whole issue. Can you please help to change that perception? If we do not, I fear that the official 'jobsworths', will yet prevail.
UK residents (even folkies) do live in a democracy and do have a voice, we must use it now.
Below is a suggested letter that could be sent to our MPs by email now! Their email addresses can be found through the Parliament website
Dear _________
But the Government's proposed licensing reforms will mean even one pianist in a bar will require prior local authority approval (and a fee).
The local live music scene thrives in Scotland and in Ireland. Local authorities in England and Wales have complete discretion over their PEL fees and conditions. They could revitalise work opportunities for musicians and change the face of traditional music now if they learned from the Scottish example. Instead of proposing to extend local authority jurisdiction over types of live music that are less of noise risk than recorded sound or satellite television, why is the Government not adopting the Scottish licensing example?
The present harassment of musicians, venues and the public, undertaken in the name of official control and revenue, shames our proud cultural heritage, make us a laughing stock and is to be prevented from continuing in any future form.
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