Help the Blaxhall ship

Subject: Help the Blaxhall ship
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 26 Jan 07 - 06:33 PM

As reported on Look East (Follow link bottom right
)The Blaxhall Ship is in danger.
This was the home of many of our traditional singers Cyril Poacher, the Ling family, Bob Hart,Percy Webb, to name just a few. Click here for more details
An application has been made to convert from a pub to a private dwelling. The present management have seemingly deliberately run down the business by shorter opening hours and banning locals and generally being fairly offensive all round. Hence no wonder trade has dropped!!
As a hub of village life we are losing too many rural pubs and this alone would be reason to fight this change. When you realise the importance of this particular pub in the history of the English Folk Scene then it takes on a whole new importance.
The application is being heard at Suffolk Council Offices, Woodbridge on Wednesday 31st Jan. It is open to the public and it would be great if a few of us could show their interest.Perhaps a gather outside before hand? (8-30 a.m.)

Andy

Subject: RE: Help the Blaxhall ship
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 27 Jan 07 - 05:14 AM

Come on chaps and chappeses. This is a rally cry!
Far be it for me to organise a singing protest, that would need a licence wouldn't it. But we could be there, to show our solidarity couldn't we?
Beer bribes could be offered but I wouldn't offend your principles, oh yes I would....

Andy
P.M. me for more details.

Subject: RE: Help the Blaxhall ship
From: IanC
Date: 27 Jan 07 - 07:32 AM

Erm ... not sure what I can do from Ashwell, but I'll do what I can (any suggestions?)

Around here, one or two of the villages have clubbed together to buy their pub and then put managers in. Has some problems, but has worked well in places. In Ashwell we have 3 pubs, all tenanted by people from the village.

:-)
Ian

Subject: RE: Help the Blaxhall ship
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 27 Jan 07 - 12:02 PM

This information was also posted at Musical Traditions:

Blaxhall Ship Faces Change of Use - Again
Your help is needed to Save The Ship Inn, in Blaxhall, Suffolk, England. Many of you will, I hope, have heard of Blaxhall Ship, famous for its traditional Suffolk songs and step dancing.

Despite past reassurances to keep Blaxhall Ship open, the owners have submitted a new planning application (ref C06/2323) for change of use to a guesthouse, which would close Blaxhall Ship forever - and this is where we need your help.

If you object to the proposal, please write to:
Mr P J Ridley,
Head of Planning Services
Suffolk Coastal District Council, Melton Hill, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1AU. Fax: [phone]

Every letter counts and it is vital that as many people as possible write to object if we are to save The Ship Inn from closing. The letters should reach Suffolk Coastal District Council by 24th January 2007.

Further details can be found on Suffolk Coastal District Council website: www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk

Maggie Grenham - 8.1.07
[e-mail]

---

I see that the deadline has passed -- I hope that the word got out sufficiently to make a difference.

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Help the Blaxhall ship
From: bubblyrat
Date: 27 Jan 07 - 12:19 PM

Bugger!! I would have written,too .Honestly !! Perhaps there"ll be another chance.

Subject: RE: Help the Blaxhall ship
From: treewind
Date: 31 Jan 07 - 04:59 AM

Mary's just phoned me - she went the public planning meeting this morning. The application to turn the pub into a private/guest house has been overturned.

Still a pub, still the same grumpy b***er or a landlord (allegedly).

Anahata

Subject: RE: Help the Blaxhall ship
From: skipy
Date: 31 Jan 07 - 05:05 AM

A singing protest would only need a licence of it was organised!
If it "just happened" then on licence required.
Of course it can't "just happen" if you advertise it, but if a lot of like minded people are in the same place at the same time then a sing may break out.

However this is just the begining of mass closure of village pubs, when the smoking ban bites we will see hundreds.

MM I'm ready for a dress off when you are!
Skipy

Subject: RE: Help the Blaxhall ship
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 31 Jan 07 - 06:50 AM

Good news indeed now all wwe need to do is convince the bloke to sell to a competent landlord.

Now that will be a weekend sing, when that happens.

Andy