Really off the topic!

[Dave Knibb]

I am posting this information in as many places as I can. I feel those of us who care should know about it. The real connection is that I’m sure Jake would have approved (but not necessarily participated).
Some years ago, there was a launch party on a boat in the middle of the Thames. Amongst the musicians on that day were Suggs (Madness) and Rod Stewart plus good few others. Their purpose was to launch and show support for a new fund-raising idea for Cancer Research. This was a five or six hour session of busking, to be called, simply, “Busking For Cancer”On that day I attempted to get others to do the same in Warrington (in vain, as it happened!). Since then ,there have been three or four sessions each year, raising a huge amount for Cancer Research, including up to ten musicians in Warrington town centre, raising around the £600 mark each time.
The next was to be 20th April this year. That is, until the guy organising it received a letter from Warrington Boroug Council saying that he must have a “Busking Licence”. Apparently, the cheapest of these is for a week’s permit and costs £600.
As you can guess, this has now been indefinitely postponed as we can’t see any point in playing for five hours just to raise enough to cover the cost of playing for five hours, with nothing left over for the charity! It may even rain and we would end up paying out of our own pockets, still with no benefit to Cancer Research.
You could check whether there are any events for this near to you. If you do, please let me know if they have to have a licence.
Thanks for reading.

[Hugh Williams]

I think I’m right in saying that Chester City Council issue licences, or permits, to “buskers” but I don’t think it’s anything like such a prohibitive amount as £600. Unfortunately, my mate (who would know as he obtained one last year for a similar venture) is out of the country (and I mean “way out” as he’s in Hawaii !). If I remember to ask him on his return at the end of the month I’ll let you know what he says.

[Dave Knibb]

Thanks, but I posted this everywhere I could think of and a number of people (and the media) contacted WBC. They have now “changed their minds” and are allowing all Busking for Cancer” events to happen, as before, without charge, as long as we give them at least a month’s notice. Excellent news, but still not really a good setting for Jake’s songs! I’ll have to stick to all the old busking standards!

[Author]

Posts