Western Morning News 14 March 2003.
FRONT PAGE and photo.

11.000 voices join protest for live music.

More than 11.000 objections from WMN readers to new laws which threaten the future of live pub music were delivered to Downing Street in unique Westcountry style yesterday.

A delegation of musicians, landlords and politicians put every response to the WMN campaign against the Bill in the hands of the Government.

David Vaughn, a clarinet player from Holsworthy, North Devon, who formed part of a specially formed band, The Downing Street Dixielanders, to present the petition , said: "If this becomes law it would be monstrous. Had it been introduced 30 years ago I would not be here playing an instrument today. I would have put it down years ago.!

By forcing landlords to obtain new licenses to stage any musical event, musicians fear the number of venues available to them will drop dramatically.

Speaking exclusively to the WMN yesterday, Culture Minister Dr Kim Howells said: "The response to the WMN campaign is extremely impressive. It serves to prove how deeply feel about live music."


Western Morning News 14 March 2003.
Page 2 and 3 and 4 photos

The day we made out protest heard.
The WMN campaign against the Government's Licensing Bill reached a climax yesterday as a delegation from the Westcountry took their message to save live pub music direct to Number 10. WMN reporter PAUL ANDREWS who has co-ordinated the protest, reports on the mood in Downing Street and tackles Culture minister Kim Howells on the issue.

The sound of the Downing Street Dixielanders was enough to grab the attention of a preoccupied Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon yesterday as he emerged from a cabinet crisis meeting. He wasn't the only one to do a double take. Cameras flashed an tourists gawped as the eight-piece band played traditioanal jazz along one of the most famous streets in London.

Specially formed for the occasion, the band of Westcountry musicians entertained passers-by with examples of foot-tapping traditional music they were in the capital to protect.

It had been a long journey. Having set off from the Westcountry at dawn, the band would have been forgiven for beginning to flag as the hour of their Downing Street appointment approached. But under clear blue skies and against the stunning backdrop of the Houses of Parliament, they gave a performance to remember.

Impressed American tourist Val O'Donnell, from Santa Barbara, California, said: "It all sounds unbelievable. "In America we are in awe of your country's history. You are so lucky to have these ancient traditions. I went to Cornwall many years ago and it was like a living museum. Politicians, though, they seem the same all over the world."

Joined by Westcountry Lib-Dem MPs Andrew George and Nick Harvey, the band trooped up to the black door of 10 Downing Street to present every one of the 11,000 signatures received in the campaign against the Licensing Bill. Although disarmed of their instruments – Downing Street apparently felt that jazz music was not a suitable backdrop to government deliberations yesterday – the band of protesters made their voices heard.

Chloe Watson, a fiddle player from Weare Giffard, North Devon said: "Music is a priority in people's lives. It is one of the most important parts of our heritage and culture. Playing live music in pubs is a social forum, and should not be considered or treated on a political agenda. "Why penalise musicians and those who wish to listen to them? Politicians are once again proving themselves to be completely out of touch with Westcountry life."

The Licensing Bill, which could be law by 2004, would make nearly all live performances illegal unless licensed. The proposed legislation would also abolish the two-in-a-bar-rule, which allows one or two musicians to play in a pub without the landlord needing an entertainment licence.

Publicans would be forced to apply to their local authority for a new premises licence to stage any musical event. But because of the expensive conditions which may be insisted upon by health and safety, musicians fear landlords will be unable to afford live music.

Dowing Street Dixielander Graham Trevarton, a cornet player from Newquey, said: "Music has always been developed from pub sessions. if they are lost, where will things like jazz and folk be found? When you start out the one place you know you can get a gig is in a pub. They are fundamental to the music industry. "We are here because we are staggered by this Bill. The cost and rigmarole of it is ridiculous. We need to send a positive message to our youngsters that if they take the time to learn an instrument there will be outlets for that."

Fellow band member John Blackburn, a folk musician from Bideford said: " When it comes to music laws we should be setting them for sensible people. To encourage talent, we need a liberal approach, not restrictive one."

North Devon MP Mr Harvey, who is Lib-Dem Culture spokesman, said: "This response has been fantastic and a real achievement by the Westcountry. "The Government is clearly recognising the weight of resistance to this Bill, and has back-tracked again and again. "But we must keep up the pressure and ensure that the Commons sustains our demands."

Mr George, the MP for St Ives, said: "Placing such a huge response in the hands of the Government is a wonderful achievement, but it also marks the time for continued pressure."

The Bill now moves to the House of Commons, when it will be discussed by MPs on March 24.

But for the Downing Street Dixielanders their work was – for the time being at least – done. Having delivered a lesson to Londoners on the power of live music, it was back to the Westcountry – where even more appreciative audiences await them.

Pandrews@westernmorningnews.co.uk