RingoDave Posted April 12, 2012 Report Share Posted April 12, 2012 Firstly, I have to admit to posting this in another "local" forum. I feel, however, so strongly about letting others know, that I am "broadcasting" it far and wide. Almost four years ago, a group of musicians, including Rod Stewart and Suggs (Madness) launched a nationwide charity idea from a boat in the middle of the Thames in order to get maximum exposure. This was called "Busking For Cancer", the idea being that musicians all around the country would give their time and talents to raise money for Cancer Research. The Warrington events were subsequently held in a number of places but, for the last few years, have been in the town centre, three or four times a year, raising about £600 per session. At times, there have been up to ten local musicians taking part. The next session was to have been on 20th April this year until the organiser received a letter from WBC with a form to apply for a licence to busk. The cheapest of these, I understand, is a week's permit, costing £600. Obviously this has now been cancelled indefinitely, as it seems pointless to give our time (five hours for some) to raise just enough to pay for the privilege of playing. I wonder if this is just WBC. Are all the events nationwide going to suffer the same? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleopatra Posted April 12, 2012 Report Share Posted April 12, 2012 Well charity doesn't begin at the town hall, obviously! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted April 12, 2012 Report Share Posted April 12, 2012 OK so appologies for the ramble which follows but your post sort of rattled me as I lost my mum to the dreaded 'c' word just over 4 years ago. So many lives are touched by cancer in one way or another that surely events like these and also for other similar causes should be exempt from the usual 'rules' and box ticking I quote my other half's words as he read that at the same time as I did. He said " The world has gone 'beeping' bonkers" ( I susbstuted his real word for obvious reasons) but I agree with him. Ironically I jokingly said to my son yesterday that he should go busking to earn a bit of pocket money and he mentioned buskers needed a licence but I never thought for one minute that they would cost that much. .....and again like my other half just said, IF the "Busking For Cancer" people contacted the council to hold a specific charity event then chances are the cost would be even higher as no doubt other bodies such as the police, health and safety bods and god knows how many other bodies would need to be involved then. Come on WBC... if people with talents are trying to raise money for such good causes and want to play on the streets then as long as each person playing is on a pre-notified list as being part of it then why on earth can't you just let them play, and raise money, FOR FREE !!!! Infact I just googled and he 'Busking Cancer' website does state that 1. Do I need a busking licence? This depends on the council for your area – they all have different rules and regulations. Once you have decided where you want to hold your Busking Cancer event, you need to contact your local council and ask exactly what forms are required for you to hold your event. Some councils will request that you apply for a licence and some councils will thank you for contacting them and will let you run your event without any further correspondence. I suppose the other alternative would be for people to busk from areas of privately owned land where there could be a good footfall of people or maybe one of the prospective councillors may want to take up the cause and get it changed and approval granted as election time is looming after all Any other ideas ? RingoD... if you want two more guitarists (one who is allegidely crap ie me and one who is awsome ie my son to join you anywhere let us know and count us in). I left my other half out as his drums are a pain to transport and are a bit rusty these days just like the rest of him Sorry... I did say it would be a rant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algy Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 Dave, I have had a word in 'some ones ear', I know he/she will feel strongly about this,let us see if something happens. algy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverlady54 Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 I posted a reply on the 'other' forum, didn't realise it was you! Here you are: There is a Live Music bill going through Parliament at present, supported by the ISM for professional musicians, which, if passed, will mean that live concerts etc. in small venues for audiences of less than 200 will not need licences. This may not precisely cover buskers, but thinking outside the box, there is no reason why lots of small venues around town could not hold a number of concerts for small audiences! This may be of help going forward if it gets through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RingoDave Posted April 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 I don't know if it was Algy, but many thanks to anyone who had a hand in this. I only found out yesterday, but today we have heard that WBC have had a change of heart. In future, we will be allowed to hold this busking event as previously, so long as we give them a month's notice. Well done everyone who helped....and thank you, Warrington Councillors for seeing sense. Thank God for a free press. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 Brilliant news RingoDave and I'm so glad the council have had a change of heart. Well done to the councillors and/or their officers : Let us know where you are playing so we can come down and support you.... (I mean in the donation sense rather than the musical one ha ha... but then again there are a lot of people on here who are experts in playing with the 'spoons' ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 Yes very good news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wahl Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 Dizzy Well done to the councillors and/or their officers : Dont understand this. If the idiots on the council had not made such a stupid decision in the first place, there would be no need for having a word in 'some ones ear'. get rid of the idiots and life will be simpler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleopatra Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 Algy can play the spoons. He's a whizz at it! Already told you Dave but congratulations again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 Dizzy "Well done to the councillors and/or their officers :" Dont understand this. Wahl... not may people understand me especially when I am beeing a tiny weenie bit sarcastic, sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Sid Posted April 14, 2012 Report Share Posted April 14, 2012 Perhaps we could get some of local MP's involved. I have heard that they are good on the fiddle. ARRGH I am turning into an obs clone However if it is going ahead do please inform the forum so that we can all wander along and help the cause. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algy Posted April 14, 2012 Report Share Posted April 14, 2012 I don't know if it was Algy, but many thanks to anyone who had a hand in this. I only found out yesterday, but today we have heard that WBC have had a change of heart. In future, we will be allowed to hold this busking event as previously, so long as we give them a month's notice. Well done everyone who helped....and thank you, Warrington Councillors for seeing sense. Thank God for a free press. Glad it turned out good for you all! :grin: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algy Posted April 14, 2012 Report Share Posted April 14, 2012 Dave, I have sent you a PM. algy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleopatra Posted April 14, 2012 Report Share Posted April 14, 2012 Offering to play the spoons algy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted April 14, 2012 Report Share Posted April 14, 2012 Naah, he's just being stealth like to keep us all on our toes and make all us wonder what he's been upto and what he is capable of I'm only kidding Algy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algy Posted April 14, 2012 Report Share Posted April 14, 2012 Naah, he's just being stealth like to keep us all on our toes and make all us wonder what he's been upto and what he is capable of I'm only kidding Algy Shhhhh! :grin: :grin: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted April 14, 2012 Report Share Posted April 14, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted April 15, 2012 Report Share Posted April 15, 2012 This photo was secretly taken of Algy persuading Mike Hannon to change the councils mind..... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algy Posted April 15, 2012 Report Share Posted April 15, 2012 This photo was secretly taken of Algy persuading Mike Hannon to change the councils mind..... It's all lies I tell you, all lies!, I was just assisting him to stop a serious nose bleed. :grin: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted April 15, 2012 Report Share Posted April 15, 2012 Baz and Algy you are both bonkers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RingoDave Posted April 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2012 Dave, I have sent you a PM. algy. Is there somewhere on here to find it...or do you mean an actual eMail? Sorry but I'm noy fully used to this forum even now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RingoDave Posted April 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2012 It's OK - I managed to find it...still don't know how though...doh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.