The Session that Never Was!

Subject: The Session that Never Was!
From: GUEST,Fiddler
Date: 08 Oct 02 - 04:07 AM

Hi folks,

To those who turned up last night, apologies as far as I am able really sorry.

The truth of the matter - John who sorted the session out - agreed it with the landlord (who was not there last night).

As I had said I arrived about 2200 hrs, I gather It was a cracking success with over 30 Musos present and playing for about an hour and a half, some I gather from as far afield as Bristol. The Barmaid on duty got panicky - called out the Public entertainments Licence chestnut and stopped the whole thing. Apparently teh Chef in the kitchen couldn't communicate with the bar staff either!

As many (hopefully all) of you are aware this is an on going problem in UK - write to your MPs or anyone. I have been told that a family gathering at home with more than two musicians is illegal, or will be soon!!

John is now attempting to find a location where we can hold a monthly session. Praps the Landlord was not worried by the PEL situation and prepared (in a pub in the middle of nowhere) to take the risk.

I have had this whole situation cited as a ploy by Local Authorities (NOT THE POLICE) to aquire additional funds easily. I am not going to get on my soapbox yet. I know the Admiral - who was there, for the musicy bit too, knows more of the intracies than I do. I've signed petitions and stuff as I think it is a load of old B*ll*X
x.

So any way - if you travelled far sorry - if you didn't wasn't it a shame - personally I didn't even here one tune!!!!!! Watch the listings as soon as John has a new venue - or has sorted the old one out (after last night I prefer the former solution - they made about 60+ pints of beer over a normal night and didn't let us have fun!) I'll let you know.

Thoughts on what might be a good idea on all fronts gratefully accepted - I know a JP who covers that area - I'll talk!!

Be interested to hear everyones (shouldn't have said that on Mudcat!) views.

Subject: RE: The Session that Never Was!
From: BanjoRay
Date: 08 Oct 02 - 04:40 AM

Where wasn't it?
Ray

Subject: RE: The Session that Never Was!
From: fiddler
Date: 08 Oct 02 - 07:52 AM

OOPs

Sorry about that it was in the Lands End Pub Lands End Lane Twyford BERKS

I don't think there is any Slander or Liable in admitting that.

The earlier mail gives my version of what happened.

Teh Original String was

New Music Session - Berkshire England UK

Subject: RE: The Session that Never Was!
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 08 Oct 02 - 07:57 AM

Let's hope that it doesn't become "The Session that never returned" !

Subject: RE: The Session that Never Was!
From: clansfolk
Date: 08 Oct 02 - 08:14 AM

For more information on the PEL (Two in a Bar) go here TWO IN A BAR - UK

As yet there is no intention of stopping music gatherings at home or Private locations - the PEL only covers Public entertainment - the two in a bar rule is an exception to this rule that states ALL forms of public entertainment require a licence - other than up to two people on licensed (alcohol) premises.

THIS LAW and Exception is in the process of being change see EDM 1182 and contact you MP to ask him to sign the EDM (this can be done via the above site via a online FAX.

Cheers - Pete

Subject: RE: The Session that Never Was!
From: The Admiral
Date: 08 Oct 02 - 08:54 AM

Yes, I got home last night wondering which country I was living in! As Fiddler has said there were something like 30 muso's gathered (which also might indicate the need for such a session in the area), all tucked away in the (smaller) non smoking bar until 21.30 which was when the landlady/barmaids nerve went! If someone had dreamed this scenario up for a sitcom no-one would have believed the storyline! Ah well, keep us posted on progress and maybe we'll get a session out of this after all. I do have a suggestion for an alternative venue where the Landlord will almost certainly make homeless session makers welcome on a quiet Monday night - despite PELs but I won't mention it here, for obvious reasons.

Subject: RE: The Session that Never Was!
From: cyder_drinker
Date: 08 Oct 02 - 01:27 PM

Certainly an interesting evening out!!!
The bit where someone announced "we can't all play at once, so take it in turns to play one bar each and go round the room" was a bit of a laugh.
Anyway, meself (Baldy flute-player) and Dave (the button-box player) made it back to an Irish session in the Bristol area about half an hour before last orders, and carried on till just after midnight. So we got a few tunes in over the course of the night!
Thanks anyway to Andy for putting the word out, and John (which one was he, anyway?) for setting it up in the first place. Hope it all comes together, guys - that had the makings of a really good session.

Subject: RE: The Session that Never Was!
From: fiddler
Date: 08 Oct 02 - 03:08 PM

Brill Cyder Drinker!

We wondered who had come up from Bristol?

Thought it was mad but then we travel to teh Duke of Cambridge in Easton sometimes to Martins session there! Easy at the end of the M32. I wonder if he has the right licence - but then the Bristol council tends to be a lot more relaxed than up here near the wicked city. Can you imgine the mayhem if more then two of you were playing in the same building som one might enjoy themselves and John Redwood (I think we were still in his constituency) may be kept awake at nights.

Anyway I think we have proved the need and this time the enthusiasm. I like the all play one bar bit! Shame I missed it.

BTW Which pub in Bristol? - Other half is Bristol girl - dances Appalachian stuff hence my other commitments.

Subject: RE: The Session that Never Was!
From: The Shambles
Date: 08 Oct 02 - 04:24 PM

New Music Session etc

Subject: RE: The Session that Never Was!
From: cyder_drinker
Date: 08 Oct 02 - 05:37 PM

Andy-
I won't mention which pub in case the PEL police are watching. But we have played together there, on at least two occasions (your missus was too tired to dance last time, though), and the Landlord certainly doesn't worry about such trivia. Think it was after you and she may have been to a Rag practice (might be wrong there but it was a thursday anyway).
Most councillors in my area are too busy kissing the arses of the property developers to bother about a few of us playing music in pubs in areas they'd be scared to go after sunset.
Regards to you both, see you soon I hope
C_D (Chris)

Subject: RE: The Session that Never Was!
From: Leadfingers
Date: 08 Oct 02 - 06:47 PM

Point of interest raised by a mate of mine.If more than two people singing in public requires a PEL,what about football and rugby crowds,
or is sport not classed as entertainment even if some one starts a song?

Subject: RE: The Session that Never Was!
From: clansfolk
Date: 08 Oct 02 - 06:58 PM

Leadfingers.... Yes a PEL would be required ...... as one landlord found out when he was fined for allowing more than 2 people to sing "Happy Birthday to You" without said licence.....

However football crowds are allowed to shout and hassle members of the public without a licence........

PJS

Subject: RE: The Session that Never Was!
From: smallpiper
Date: 08 Oct 02 - 07:05 PM

PM fiddle with the name of the pub in bristol cider drinker. While you are about it pm me with the name as well as I have family in bristol and when I visit I'm always up for a session.