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YFA: News
Yorkshire Post 24/12/2002 |
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Patrons: Norma Waterson MBE & Kate Rusby |
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The following article appeared on the front page of the Yorkshire Post for 24th December 2002:
Now even our carols face threat of red tape | |||||
YORKSHIRE'S grass-roots arts scene faces being wiped out by "draconian" Government red tape which even threatens to stamp out traditional carol concerts and nativity plays.But last night the Department for Culture, Media and Sport appeared to be caving in after a storm of protest over its new Licensing Bill, which musicians claim amounts to "repression not seen for centuries", and which they say could lead to carol singers facing prosecution if they do not buy a licence to perform. Lawyers studying the Bill have said that even a householder who lets a group sing in his front garden could face a maximum fine of £20,000 or six months in jail if local authority inspectors applied a strict reading of the Bill. Although that is unlikely to happen, Yorkshire festival organisers say there is a real danger that small concerts and festivals could be wiped from the arts scene. They claim the new legislation, which demands all venues - even small village halls, churches and schools - pay for a licence to put on entertainment, will cripple arts organisations which are already badly strapped for cash. Paul Hudson, chairman of Yorkshire Folk Arts, said the Bill was liable to such harsh interpretation that traditional music sessions and singarounds, which usually take place without any money changing hands, would all have to be covered by a licence. "Many musicians are seriously worried at the potential consequences of this Bill as it could criminalise the provision of almost all live music without a licence," said Mr Hudson. "Even three people singing quietly to themselves in the corner of unlicensed premises could face prosecution. "This cannot be right and it must not be allowed to become law," he said. Musicians believe the bureaucracy and fee involved in obtaining one of two types of licence will put most venues off. Mr Hudson went on: "It will deter people from applying for a licence because it would be far easier to say 'no live music or dance - just crank up the jukebox'. The result in our eyes will be louder amplified music." At the moment, most churches and small halls are covered by an umbrella licence that allows them small community events such as concerts and plays. That will change if the new Bill comes into being, with each venue being forced to apply for a temporary three-day licence, or a permanent version, costing between £100 and £500. William Culver-Dodds, director of Harrogate International Music Festival, said that could spell disaster for his festival and others across the region. "Making music should not be a licensable activity. Live music should not be licensed at all, and isn't in Scotland or most other countries. "This new legislation will bring repression unseen for centuries to our whole musical culture in England and Wales. It is draconian and very frightening and could affect thousands and thousands of people," said Mr Culver-Dodds. He said the Harrogate festival, which depends on performances in churches and their halls, could not continue if those venues decided they could not afford a licence, or could not be bothered to apply for one. "It used to be the two-in-a-pub rule before a venue needed to be licensed before, now it is the none-in-a-pub rule. Make no mistake, this legislation could spell the end for live music in all but the very large venues." A spokeswoman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport disagreed, and said many venues would save money in the future. "At the moment, some places have to pay up to £20,000 when they apply for a licence through magistrates. "We will have fees set centrally, which will be between £100 and £500 for a permanent licence, or for festivals £20 for a three-day temporary one for each venue. "In addition, the secretary of state will have the power to decide whether to waive fees for some venues." But she conceded that a raft of complaints had led to the department reviewing the Bill. Composer Patric Stanford, who is also on the advisory board of Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, said events such as his would be safe, as their concerts were held in large, licensed venues such as the town hall and theatres. He conceded that there might be trouble ahead for smaller organisations and groups of musicians. "The people who may well be affected by this are the schools who go down to their local village hall for their nativity play or carol concert each year. "But I think it may be a bit emotive to say that all live music is threatened. It makes sense to have places which sell alcohol to be licensed, and the same goes for those who are putting on performances on a regular basis." But Mr Hudson said there was good reason for people to worry. "There is a real possibility that this Bill, if enacted without proper safeguards, could destroy a centuries-old tradition of people enjoying creative conviviality," he said. "It would be an act of gross cultural vandalism if this government were to succeed where the Puritans failed, in stamping out English music, song and dance." |
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