In response to my Sussex Folk Music News email circular - which is also on Mudcat at thread.cfm?threadid=117439&messages=1 - I received the following response from Richard Mann of the Spinning Jenny Band:-

Dear Vic and Tina

Just to let you know that I have responded to the appeal for letters to Fuller, Smith etc. I set out my reply below.

I have also copied the section of your newsletter relating to the appeal and sent it to as many of my Folk Contacts as possible - this is not something to be ignored.

Mr. Michael Turner
Executive Chairman
Fuller Smith & Turner Plc,
The Griffin Brewery
Chiswick Lane South
London W4 2QB.

I read of the policy changes affecting The Lewes Arms (and doubtless many other hitherto "Music Friendly" pubs) with great dismay. As an organiser of Folk Music sessions and pub concerts in East Sussex, I am well aware that any brewery/catering chain has a duty to the shareholders and that a landlord must put commercial considerations first.

However, I feel that this perceived duty is sometimes misplaced.

In the present climate (with particular reference to the Lewes Arms) is it really good business sense to force the cessation of an activity (Folk Club and Workshops) which provide regular income by virtue of a dedicated clientele and for which there is no competition, in favour of restaurant facilities where the clientele will be dependant on public acceptance and where the competitors are legion?

The Folk Club tradition in it's present form goes back at least to the 1960s and has many spin-offs which are beneficial to the community as a whole. No sensible person would advocate a return to the days of the gloomy, grubby unhygenic "local" with the music confined to a damp, draughty and dilapidated back room, but with the current upsurge of interest in things "folk" and "traditional" it seems very short sighted to put short-term profit (uncertain) before TRADITIONAL values of long-term goodwill and customer numbers (certain).

Lines from a popular folk song sum up the sentiments, and the reality, of the present situation:-

"The landlord kept his cellar well, with ale both Mild and Strong.
A place to take your troubles to, and a place for a b****y good song.
But they're knockin' them down, the old pubs, around the town, the old pubs,
And Plastic's all the go!

Hoping that some good may come of this letter

yours sincerely

Richard Mann