Details of the enclosed quote, and the entire Lords debate, can be found on the Paliament website.

http://www.publi">a href="http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199900/ldhansrd/pdvn/lds02/text/21212-01.htm#21212-01_head2">http://www.publi

I think we really must try, both nationally and locally to use the current season to highlight the situation. The following sent to my local paper.

A Christmas present from Tony?

'In Brief', in Saturday's Echo, contained news of three events. Wessex Morris Men's mummer's play to be held in pub, a carol concert in one church and Christmas readings and music to be held in another church.

Can I suggest that we enjoy these activities while we can?

For our Government's new Licensing Bill, plans to make all these and the following seasonal activities illegal.

"People singing carols in a supermarket or a railway station and so on would need to be covered by a premises licence or a temporary event notice." [Lord McIntosh, Government whip, 1st Committee stage debate of the Licensing Bill, House of Lords, 12 December 2002].

All church concerts will soon be required to apply for advanced local authority permission and to pay for a the 'entertainment' element of the proposed Premises Licence.

Merry Christmas?