Of course the areas that don't issue a "license" to busk and don't have a bye-law to stop busking tend to have either a policy of Police Intervention on Obstruction or Noise pollution grounds or in some cases actually promote busking. Other problems arise (especially in our case) when the collecting is for charity and not personal gain when a collecting licence is required in all cases.

At present we have to make two applications (even 3in some cases)- 1 to collect for charity, 2 Permission to use the public highway for the collection (or permission from the landowner when in vacant shop doorway, or generally "off Street") and if we sell the badges/Roses (as a minimum donation is requested) A street trading license.

Under the "new" licensing guide lines "busking" in a public place will require a entertainment license which "should be held by the local council" so may not be a problem.

Our Voice has (and still is) raised against some of the changes and stupidity of some of the changes likewise the lame excuses for exemptions etc... e.g. our local Morris team will be able to dance and the musicians play for them - but let the mandolin player us a 5watt amp to raise his instrument so it can be heard alongside a bass drum and a license will be required. But we shall see what we shall see, and the fight can go on!

Re. Begging or not? the above entries were dictionary definitions and not mine;-) and as I said what's wrong with begging - an age old tradition and the base for many traditional songs. Maybe if people have to be educated to believe it's not begging work should be done on changing the dictionary definition to:

Busking:
The Art of obtaining money for entertaining in a Public Place.


then again a rose by any name would smell as sweet.


PB