[snip]For example when it talks about carol singers in pubs it says they'll not be licensable if they turn up unannounced. Which means that the sort of village carols that take place up in the Sheffield area will need need a licence. And of course thebpeople who organise it will be legally liable if the pubs don'tvhave tyeblicence.[/snip]


The Position of the "Sheffield Carols" is not exactly as stated. It is EMPHATICALLY not organised - any more that (for example) the singing in Haxey before the Hood is organised. If you turn up the first Sunday after Armistice and subsequent Sundays then you will be at the carols. There is no organisation. The pub will need a licence although the local MP Helen Jackson who is a caroller (as indeed is David Blunkett) has written to the pubs telling them that they won't -based on what Howells told her!!

The reason local pubs have got away with it so far is because unlike Weymouth for example the local authority has turned a blind eye.

It is easy to prove spontaneity or otherwise. Clearly since they are not advertised or organised - then they are spontaneous. Equally since people come from all over the world to join in then they cannot be spontaneous. At some there is an organ player - therefore not spontaneous - at others there is no organ player - clearly spontaneous then. Which is why it is important that the DCMS supplies a definition of spontaneous!!!!

The DCMS is prepared to put up Aunt Sallys (Twenty Myths) only to assert they are myths. Ministers assertions have no legal significance except under particular legal circumstances and these do not fulfil that. Mind Howells would look a real wally even more now should anyone be prosecuted. So much so I am tempted to volunteer!!

Best wishes,

Dave
www.collectorsfolk.co.uk
www.holmfirthfestival.com