I'd heard about this, but thought it was just a nasty urban myth, the kind of thing Mammy and Daddy traditional players tell their kids will happen to them if they don't do their practice.
But it ludicrously manifested itself upon a local session of ours, The Duke of Edinburgh, last night (Wed.)
I never made it myself to the sesh, as I had a family commitment, but I had just got an email from Cath, fiddle player.
Apparently, someone has grassed the Duke to Lewisham Council (we have our suspicions who). The council then threatened that Michael the governor would lose his drinks licence, so he has had to apply for a music licence, costing £600, then pay another £600 when he gets it, in 28 days time.
"....In the meantime, **no more than 2 musicians are allowed to play at any time.** Well, in the end we had a really good fun session. ...."
So, to reiterate, the idea is that a whole bunch of sessioneers sit round as per a normal session, but only two of them are allowed to play at any one time!
I heard it happened at an English session in Greenwich, just up the road, but thought it was just Greenwich council were a bunch of meanies. It would be funny except Michael has had to fork out £1200. That makes us feel a good deal more committed to turning up and supporting the session.
Has this bizarre situation visited anyone else in the UK?
Any comments?
Aidan - no doubt you've heard from Cath, what say you?
I suppose (he says, adopting a voice of reason persona for a brief moment) that it is possible that Lewisham Council have got to hear of the Duke sessions through means other than some idiot grassing Michael up! (After all, let's not forget that Diarmuid is a thorn in the side of the puffed-up party hacks who run the Council after their decision to withdraw funding from the Irish Centre.)
However, I fear you may be right and because of the petty nonsense of recent weeks in this unfortunate neck of the woods, some begrudger has seen fit to sabotage what is turning out to be an interesting little session. Where else can you go, for example, to see a musician such as Cath grow in confidence and technique at such a rapid pace?! How many other sessions in London genuinely cater for players of mixed ability, where people are genuinely nurtured along in a non-patronising way? (There are probably quite a few, but you get the point neverthless!)
As regards the rule that only 2 people can play/sing at any one time ... well, let's treat it as a challenge for the next few weeks till Michael gets his licence! The odd solo rendition, the formation of impromptu duets. Could actually be quite a creative period. And then he'll have his licence and we can all go at it hammer-and-tongs and heads-down.
Just as bad, a Greenwich landlord without a PEL was in court last week and was fined, as the council spys found his customers were "swaying rhythmically" to the music and he did not stop them. No kidding!
Seriously though, you must have read about it everywhere - it is imperative everyone gets in touch with their MP and expresses their concerns - look up "faxyourmp" to email a fax. Sessons as we know them are at risk!!
'scuse my ignorance... but does this new rule only apply in england? or is it the whole of the uk? it would be good to know that before sending any truly angry mail to my rather scottish mp.
this sort of pc ruling is right up there with putting "don't microwave live animals" in the instructions for a microwave.
the people that make them up have more time than sense.
I suspect most people who really care have contacted their MP. I certainly lost no time in asking mine where she stood!
However, let's not forget that Michael of the Duke and the unfortunate to whom you refer are victims of the current laws. Kim Howells made the point on Mike Harding last night that the new laws might just make matters more, rather than less, fair than at the moment!
My personal view ... to legislate against the making of traditional music, whether via the current or proposed laws, is to say the least myopic. That Irish traditional music will survive in the face of such hurdles goes without saying, since it is played all over the world and the community of Irish musicians in the UK is only a very small percentage of the total. I couldn't say the same for traditional English music, though!!!
What sort of a country would set out to destroy its own indigenous traditional culture?
On the other side of the pond... following the awful night-club fire that happened in Rhode Island (the one that killed 100+ people at a Great White concert) the fire inspectors are getting zelous. I went to a session on Sunday & was told that ony 6 people can play at a time due to fire code. I smiled & asked if the three guitarists & two bodhran players counted as people.
As Aidan says we're still in the period of the old 2 in a bar legislation, and I'm sorry, you're right to point it out, it applies only to England and Wales, but not to Scotland (I don't know about the north of Ireland - suspect the Tony Party government [I refuse to refer to them as the Labour Party] have got just enough cop-on not to try that one over there). I wasn't being a cultural imperialist when said UK (hardly likely anyway, me being a Scot), I just forgot.
But Aidan,10 out of 10 for trying to act grown-up, but do you, in your heart of hearts, honestly believe this to be a coincidence, seeing how Mr. C.A. (or whoever else) has recently behaved on Mudcat wrt you and I? Thank goodness that thread has now been deleted.
Poor Michael (probably literally so at the moment) is the only one to actually suffer over this debacle, and we owe it to him to make the session succeed now.
Well ... I suppose some people would be petty enough to do just about anything.
However, you're right Danny. If the bloke has coughed up then it's up to his regulars to see that he doesn't lose out through apathy.
And since I play only one session per week, then this'll be the one I support. I think it's a great night out in any event. No pressure, no silly competitiveness and a boozer which isn't bad to boot. Michael may be a bit inscrutable at times, but he's put his money where his mouth is and fair play to him.
Hi folks.
What a sad country this is.
I'm afraid having 2 different musicians playing, is not allowed they must be the same 2 all night, not only that but if there is any Midi equipment involved that counts as a person.
There has been a lot of discussion about this topic on Mudcat
here http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=56292&messages=14#879099 ?
I even wrote a song parody about it
here
Good luck with the session.
OK so it doesn't apply to Scotland yet but let your MPs & MSPs know your feelings anyway. Remember the Scottish elections are ony a month away. Find out where your MSP stands on this and vote accordingly.
Thanks for the comments, so far, folks... keep them coming. Particularly yours, Pied, in the light of which, I think we really should tread really carefully for the next 28-ish days....what the hell, there's Easter and bank holidays and so on coming up anyway.
We just need one sour-minded swinehole farthead to clipe us to Lewisham Council and the game's-a-bogie.
I'm all for sticking by the law for a few weeks then we can really boogie, and legally to boot - ie let's not blow it by sitting, as I described above, like a normal session, but taking it in turns to play duets.
Really, we need to keep it to just 2 people playing the whole night and we're all big boys 'n girls now to hack that one.
As Geoff mentioned above, the Cricketers (English Music session pub in Greenwich) had been in breach of some UN resolution, and had been metaphorically bombed (but I thought that was ages ago, Geoff? - it makes good reading anyway, that site does, but I don't have its URL to hand right now.) Just going from memory now, I recall they sent a Plain Clothes Council Official, cunningly garbed out in civvies, along to the pub and this person noted other customers were, as Geoff said, swaying to the music, ie enjoying themselves, thus it was deemed as entertainment. THIS IS TRUE.
I'm just worried that the same could happen to the DoE Wed. sesh, so for the sake of a few weeks, I suggest cool it, gang. We'd then be helping Michael help us do nice sessions thereafter.
We regulars could keep in touch by email, phone, so on, to decide which duet could do whatever week, till the period of session abstinence is up.
This is just MY suggestion.
Sorry to appear so anally retentive - those who know me know may have observed otherwise.
Wot I wrote to Joan Ruddock (feel free to copy, paste, have a laugh, whatever - sorry if I sound pompous and/or amateurish....):
To: Ms Joan Ruddock
MP for Lewisham, Deptford
House Of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
Friday 11 April 2003
Dear Ms Joan Ruddock,
No doubt thousands have voiced their viewpoints wrt the recent UK and US military attack and occupation of Iraq, and may even have expressed concerns that Syria may be next, having now involuntarily become a member of the Axis of Evil.
My concern, besides the above, is decidedly more domestic, but does also have implications regarding basic freedoms and human rights.
The freedom and right of amateur musicians and their listeners to congregate to play and listen in public places looks as though they may be seriously curtailed if Kim Howell's PEL bill becomes law.
Can you honestly tell me that it's the measure of a healthy free society, that the indigenous music of these islands, played by groups of people and listened to by concensus, in public places, (being anything ranging from pubs to church halls, natural havens for gatherings) can only be done so when in possession of a LICENCE?
I would greatly appreciate it if you were to let me know where you stand on this issue, and where you will vote in The Commons on this. There is a thriving multi-ethnic musical community in Lewisham, which a Member of Parliament might ignore at their peril. I, for example, am an active local traditional musician.
I have voted mostly Labour all my life, but recently also Green. I fear the Labour Party is drifting constantly in a rightward direction, and no longer represents caring citizens, but has been bought out by corporates as has happened in the US to the Democrats.
I'm happy to contribute to the one after that ... I'll bring a guitar as well as banjo and octave mandola so I can at least provide some basic accompaniment as well as playing tunes which I have in common with the other half of the duet!
What a palaver though!
If we see anyone nodding their heads or tapping their feet, should we inform them to desist for fear of unwillingly inviting a midnight visit from the Council's hairy-knuckled, over-zealous Special Branch?
If someone did indeed grass the Duke up as a vindictive gesture, then I'm sure they'll be laughing up their sleeves for the time being. Hopefully they'll laugh the other side of their faces when Michael is fully-licenced. Then we can do a bit of publicity. Maybe even have an especially HUGE session to mark the event. We should have a think about getting as many of our session-playing mates together for the night. I might be able to get The Irish Post along to do a feature ... small publican forks out to keep the tradition alive, sessioneers from all over London convened on Lee Green to pay tribute to the generosity of Michael ... a few pictures, etc.
Only worth doing, though, if we could guarantee a big turn-out!
I listened to KH on Mike Hardings hour which, as usual, seemed the BBC are in the governments pocket. Only recorded questions were allowed and MH was not allowed to press him where he used hesitation and deviation.
The impression I got was that currently, many (English & Welsh) music venues and sessions are in unlicensed premises and many local authorities turn a blind eye as no nuisance takes place, and that the proposed bill was to get most premises with live music to become licensed.
1) What KH did not say, was that landlords would not have to pay any more for their alcohol licence with the relevant ticked box. If they do have to pay more, many landlords will refuse or ignore it, ending the session.
2) He did keep on about ticking a box OR writing a few lines - he hasn't a clue what is happening here yet!!!
If it is just a matter of ticking a box and no inspection or investigation is needed by the licensing authority, why is any extra payment needed?
How can locals object if they do not know what the box is being ticked for - irish session or brass band practise?
If the landlord has to describe what live music he is going to have over the next year, it still means he cannot have ad-hoc sessions as he has no idea of what is going to be played or who is going to dance / perform in his car-park.
IF the government has no hidden agenda, why not give ALL licensed premises permission to hold any live music sessions subject to current fire/noise/safety regulations (which can be used at the moment to shut down a venue)?.
I don't know whether you have checked the results of the petition back in February/March on http://www.musiclovers.ukart.com/
it nice to know we haven't signed in vain.
To paraphrase the great late Shel Silverstein, "life ain't easy for a boy named Kim" - maybe that's why he wants to spoil it for the rest of us.
Sorry Zina, a bit of an in-joke. Majickthighs was one of the philosophers in the Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy. There are a few other members here who are aficionados of the Guide.
A huge supercomputer called Deep Thought was programmed to come up with the answer to Life, the Universe and Everything. It suggested to 2 philosophers that they should become pundits and predict what the Answer might be, thus earn a healthy living going on chat-shows and violently disagreeing with one another.
That's when Vroomfondle turns to Majickthighs and exclaims:
"Now that's what I call thinking, Majickthighs!"
Ah, Danny ... the air's gone out of my tyres, now.
And there was me thinking it was a coded way of showing that you cared more than I could possibly have imagined! (And had me thinking that your posts to the "Cottage In The Grove", etc saga were borne out of real-life experience!)
But anyway ...
Looks like The Irish Post and Rķ-Ra might just be interested in the story ... had a phone call from a mate of mine who used to work for both who will make a few enquiries on our behalf.
The plot thickens. This is getting better than any soap on telly (not that I watch any). Had a chat with the other local session pub governor, and he has received similar notification, which he will also fork out for.
Unfortunately for the slobs folk mob, who have metaphorically shot themselves in their feet, he is host to the local 'Party' and was shown the letter of complaint. So now they will not be welcome in either pub! - whereas local players of The Music are.
I must admit to being completely baffled as to why some people actually opt for the path of self-destruction.
i saw the letter from greenwich council re the cricketers and the line that stuck in my mind was that the customers were seen to be 'tapping their feet in time to the music' and thus said music constituted 'entertainment'.
it's pathetic but it's just what you expect from a character like howells.
perhaps someone could tell the military that he's a correspondent for al-jaireza (forgive spelling) and then await his timely demise in one of those uncannily accurate accidents.
bring back slarti baartfast and the fjords is what i say...i can't get enough of that baroque feel ,you know
2 in a bar rule.
2 in a bar rule.
I'd heard about this, but thought it was just a nasty urban myth, the kind of thing Mammy and Daddy traditional players tell their kids will happen to them if they don't do their practice.
But it ludicrously manifested itself upon a local session of ours, The Duke of Edinburgh, last night (Wed.)
I never made it myself to the sesh, as I had a family commitment, but I had just got an email from Cath, fiddle player.
Apparently, someone has grassed the Duke to Lewisham Council (we have our suspicions who). The council then threatened that Michael the governor would lose his drinks licence, so he has had to apply for a music licence, costing £600, then pay another £600 when he gets it, in 28 days time.
"....In the meantime, **no more than 2 musicians are allowed to play at any time.** Well, in the end we had a really good fun session. ...."
So, to reiterate, the idea is that a whole bunch of sessioneers sit round as per a normal session, but only two of them are allowed to play at any one time!
I heard it happened at an English session in Greenwich, just up the road, but thought it was just Greenwich council were a bunch of meanies. It would be funny except Michael has had to fork out £1200. That makes us feel a good deal more committed to turning up and supporting the session.
Has this bizarre situation visited anyone else in the UK?
Any comments?
Aidan - no doubt you've heard from Cath, what say you?
Danny.
# Posted on April 9th 2003 by Rudall the time
Jumping to conclusions?
Danny ...
I suppose (he says, adopting a voice of reason persona for a brief moment) that it is possible that Lewisham Council have got to hear of the Duke sessions through means other than some idiot grassing Michael up! (After all, let's not forget that Diarmuid is a thorn in the side of the puffed-up party hacks who run the Council after their decision to withdraw funding from the Irish Centre.)
However, I fear you may be right and because of the petty nonsense of recent weeks in this unfortunate neck of the woods, some begrudger has seen fit to sabotage what is turning out to be an interesting little session. Where else can you go, for example, to see a musician such as Cath grow in confidence and technique at such a rapid pace?! How many other sessions in London genuinely cater for players of mixed ability, where people are genuinely nurtured along in a non-patronising way? (There are probably quite a few, but you get the point neverthless!)
As regards the rule that only 2 people can play/sing at any one time ... well, let's treat it as a challenge for the next few weeks till Michael gets his licence! The odd solo rendition, the formation of impromptu duets. Could actually be quite a creative period. And then he'll have his licence and we can all go at it hammer-and-tongs and heads-down.
# Posted on April 9th 2003 by Aidan Crossey
Re: 2 in a bar rule.
Just as bad, a Greenwich landlord without a PEL was in court last week and was fined, as the council spys found his customers were "swaying rhythmically" to the music and he did not stop them. No kidding!
Seriously though, you must have read about it everywhere - it is imperative everyone gets in touch with their MP and expresses their concerns - look up "faxyourmp" to email a fax. Sessons as we know them are at risk!!
# Posted on April 9th 2003 by geoffwright
Re: 2 in a bar rule.
'scuse my ignorance... but does this new rule only apply in england? or is it the whole of the uk? it would be good to know that before sending any truly angry mail to my rather scottish mp.
this sort of pc ruling is right up there with putting "don't microwave live animals" in the instructions for a microwave.
the people that make them up have more time than sense.
xDx
# Posted on April 9th 2003 by drizzt
Re: 2 in a bar rule.
Geoff ...
I suspect most people who really care have contacted their MP. I certainly lost no time in asking mine where she stood!
However, let's not forget that Michael of the Duke and the unfortunate to whom you refer are victims of the current laws. Kim Howells made the point on Mike Harding last night that the new laws might just make matters more, rather than less, fair than at the moment!
My personal view ... to legislate against the making of traditional music, whether via the current or proposed laws, is to say the least myopic. That Irish traditional music will survive in the face of such hurdles goes without saying, since it is played all over the world and the community of Irish musicians in the UK is only a very small percentage of the total. I couldn't say the same for traditional English music, though!!!
What sort of a country would set out to destroy its own indigenous traditional culture?
# Posted on April 9th 2003 by Aidan Crossey
Re: 2 in a bar rule.
On the other side of the pond... following the awful night-club fire that happened in Rhode Island (the one that killed 100+ people at a Great White concert) the fire inspectors are getting zelous. I went to a session on Sunday & was told that ony 6 people can play at a time due to fire code. I smiled & asked if the three guitarists & two bodhran players counted as people.
# Posted on April 10th 2003 by Mad Baloney
Re: 2 in a bar rule.
A Blairite country?
As Aidan says we're still in the period of the old 2 in a bar legislation, and I'm sorry, you're right to point it out, it applies only to England and Wales, but not to Scotland (I don't know about the north of Ireland - suspect the Tony Party government [I refuse to refer to them as the Labour Party] have got just enough cop-on not to try that one over there). I wasn't being a cultural imperialist when said UK (hardly likely anyway, me being a Scot), I just forgot.
But Aidan,10 out of 10 for trying to act grown-up, but do you, in your heart of hearts, honestly believe this to be a coincidence, seeing how Mr. C.A. (or whoever else) has recently behaved on Mudcat wrt you and I? Thank goodness that thread has now been deleted.
Poor Michael (probably literally so at the moment) is the only one to actually suffer over this debacle, and we owe it to him to make the session succeed now.
Danny.
# Posted on April 10th 2003 by Rudall the time
Michael
Well ... I suppose some people would be petty enough to do just about anything.
However, you're right Danny. If the bloke has coughed up then it's up to his regulars to see that he doesn't lose out through apathy.
And since I play only one session per week, then this'll be the one I support. I think it's a great night out in any event. No pressure, no silly competitiveness and a boozer which isn't bad to boot. Michael may be a bit inscrutable at times, but he's put his money where his mouth is and fair play to him.
Aidan
# Posted on April 10th 2003 by Aidan Crossey
Re: 2 in a bar rule.
Hi folks.
What a sad country this is.
I'm afraid having 2 different musicians playing, is not allowed they must be the same 2 all night, not only that but if there is any Midi equipment involved that counts as a person.
There has been a lot of discussion about this topic on Mudcat
here
http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=56292&messages=14#879099 ?
I even wrote a song parody about it
here
Good luck with the session.
All the best PP
# Posted on April 10th 2003 by Pied Piper
Re: 2 in a bar rule.
OK so it doesn't apply to Scotland yet but let your MPs & MSPs know your feelings anyway. Remember the Scottish elections are ony a month away. Find out where your MSP stands on this and vote accordingly.
# Posted on April 10th 2003 by Seasider
Re: 2 in a bar rule.
Thanks for the comments, so far, folks... keep them coming. Particularly yours, Pied, in the light of which, I think we really should tread really carefully for the next 28-ish days....what the hell, there's Easter and bank holidays and so on coming up anyway.
We just need one sour-minded swinehole farthead to clipe us to Lewisham Council and the game's-a-bogie.
I'm all for sticking by the law for a few weeks then we can really boogie, and legally to boot - ie let's not blow it by sitting, as I described above, like a normal session, but taking it in turns to play duets.
Really, we need to keep it to just 2 people playing the whole night and we're all big boys 'n girls now to hack that one.
As Geoff mentioned above, the Cricketers (English Music session pub in Greenwich) had been in breach of some UN resolution, and had been metaphorically bombed (but I thought that was ages ago, Geoff? - it makes good reading anyway, that site does, but I don't have its URL to hand right now.) Just going from memory now, I recall they sent a Plain Clothes Council Official, cunningly garbed out in civvies, along to the pub and this person noted other customers were, as Geoff said, swaying to the music, ie enjoying themselves, thus it was deemed as entertainment. THIS IS TRUE.
I'm just worried that the same could happen to the DoE Wed. sesh, so for the sake of a few weeks, I suggest cool it, gang. We'd then be helping Michael help us do nice sessions thereafter.
We regulars could keep in touch by email, phone, so on, to decide which duet could do whatever week, till the period of session abstinence is up.
This is just MY suggestion.
Sorry to appear so anally retentive - those who know me know may have observed otherwise.
Danny.
# Posted on April 10th 2003 by Rudall the time
Re: 2 in a bar rule.
Wot I wrote to Joan Ruddock (feel free to copy, paste, have a laugh, whatever - sorry if I sound pompous and/or amateurish....):
To: Ms Joan Ruddock
MP for Lewisham, Deptford
House Of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
Friday 11 April 2003
Dear Ms Joan Ruddock,
No doubt thousands have voiced their viewpoints wrt the recent UK and US military attack and occupation of Iraq, and may even have expressed concerns that Syria may be next, having now involuntarily become a member of the Axis of Evil.
My concern, besides the above, is decidedly more domestic, but does also have implications regarding basic freedoms and human rights.
The freedom and right of amateur musicians and their listeners to congregate to play and listen in public places looks as though they may be seriously curtailed if Kim Howell's PEL bill becomes law.
Can you honestly tell me that it's the measure of a healthy free society, that the indigenous music of these islands, played by groups of people and listened to by concensus, in public places, (being anything ranging from pubs to church halls, natural havens for gatherings) can only be done so when in possession of a LICENCE?
I would greatly appreciate it if you were to let me know where you stand on this issue, and where you will vote in The Commons on this. There is a thriving multi-ethnic musical community in Lewisham, which a Member of Parliament might ignore at their peril. I, for example, am an active local traditional musician.
I have voted mostly Labour all my life, but recently also Green. I fear the Labour Party is drifting constantly in a rightward direction, and no longer represents caring citizens, but has been bought out by corporates as has happened in the US to the Democrats.
Many Thanks for your time.
Danny Mackay.
# Posted on April 10th 2003 by Rudall the time
PS anyone in the world can get in, just say your post code is a london one, eg SE6
# Posted on April 10th 2003 by Rudall the time
Re: 2 in a bar rule.
OK ...
I'll sit out next Wednesday's sesh.
I'm happy to contribute to the one after that ... I'll bring a guitar as well as banjo and octave mandola so I can at least provide some basic accompaniment as well as playing tunes which I have in common with the other half of the duet!
What a palaver though!
If we see anyone nodding their heads or tapping their feet, should we inform them to desist for fear of unwillingly inviting a midnight visit from the Council's hairy-knuckled, over-zealous Special Branch?
If someone did indeed grass the Duke up as a vindictive gesture, then I'm sure they'll be laughing up their sleeves for the time being. Hopefully they'll laugh the other side of their faces when Michael is fully-licenced. Then we can do a bit of publicity. Maybe even have an especially HUGE session to mark the event. We should have a think about getting as many of our session-playing mates together for the night. I might be able to get The Irish Post along to do a feature ... small publican forks out to keep the tradition alive, sessioneers from all over London convened on Lee Green to pay tribute to the generosity of Michael ... a few pictures, etc.
Only worth doing, though, if we could guarantee a big turn-out!
Aidan
# Posted on April 10th 2003 by Aidan Crossey
Re: 2 in a bar rule.
Wow!
Now that's what I call thinking, Majickthighs!
Excellent - let's do it.
Danny
# Posted on April 10th 2003 by Rudall the time
Re: 2 in a bar rule.
I listened to KH on Mike Hardings hour which, as usual, seemed the BBC are in the governments pocket. Only recorded questions were allowed and MH was not allowed to press him where he used hesitation and deviation.
The impression I got was that currently, many (English & Welsh) music venues and sessions are in unlicensed premises and many local authorities turn a blind eye as no nuisance takes place, and that the proposed bill was to get most premises with live music to become licensed.
1) What KH did not say, was that landlords would not have to pay any more for their alcohol licence with the relevant ticked box. If they do have to pay more, many landlords will refuse or ignore it, ending the session.
2) He did keep on about ticking a box OR writing a few lines - he hasn't a clue what is happening here yet!!!
If it is just a matter of ticking a box and no inspection or investigation is needed by the licensing authority, why is any extra payment needed?
How can locals object if they do not know what the box is being ticked for - irish session or brass band practise?
If the landlord has to describe what live music he is going to have over the next year, it still means he cannot have ad-hoc sessions as he has no idea of what is going to be played or who is going to dance / perform in his car-park.
IF the government has no hidden agenda, why not give ALL licensed premises permission to hold any live music sessions subject to current fire/noise/safety regulations (which can be used at the moment to shut down a venue)?.
# Posted on April 10th 2003 by geoffwright
Re: 2 in a bar rule.
Bet he's never even been to a bliddy session in his life anyway.
Danny.
# Posted on April 10th 2003 by Rudall the time
Re: 2 in a bar rule.
I don't know whether you have checked the results of the petition back in February/March on http://www.musiclovers.ukart.com/
it nice to know we haven't signed in vain.
To paraphrase the great late Shel Silverstein, "life ain't easy for a boy named Kim" - maybe that's why he wants to spoil it for the rest of us.
# Posted on April 11th 2003 by Cath
Re: 2 in a bar rule.
"Majickthighs"? Oh, I *so* do not want to go there..don't wanna know about your personal life, kids... *snort*
Zina
# Posted on April 11th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: 2 in a bar rule.
Sorry Zina, a bit of an in-joke. Majickthighs was one of the philosophers in the Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy. There are a few other members here who are aficionados of the Guide.
A huge supercomputer called Deep Thought was programmed to come up with the answer to Life, the Universe and Everything. It suggested to 2 philosophers that they should become pundits and predict what the Answer might be, thus earn a healthy living going on chat-shows and violently disagreeing with one another.
That's when Vroomfondle turns to Majickthighs and exclaims:
"Now that's what I call thinking, Majickthighs!"
The Answer, incidentally, was 42.
Danny.
# Posted on April 11th 2003 by Rudall the time
Magic Thighs
Ah, Danny ... the air's gone out of my tyres, now.
And there was me thinking it was a coded way of showing that you cared more than I could possibly have imagined! (And had me thinking that your posts to the "Cottage In The Grove", etc saga were borne out of real-life experience!)
But anyway ...
Looks like The Irish Post and Rķ-Ra might just be interested in the story ... had a phone call from a mate of mine who used to work for both who will make a few enquiries on our behalf.
# Posted on April 12th 2003 by Aidan Crossey
Re: 2 in a bar rule.
Domhniaill,
Kim Howells and co. are regularly seen at sessions in park bushes seeking the elusive badger, with the mating call "Baaa".
# Posted on April 13th 2003 by geoffwright
(South) Eastenders
The plot thickens. This is getting better than any soap on telly (not that I watch any). Had a chat with the other local session pub governor, and he has received similar notification, which he will also fork out for.
Unfortunately for the slobs folk mob, who have metaphorically shot themselves in their feet, he is host to the local 'Party' and was shown the letter of complaint. So now they will not be welcome in either pub! - whereas local players of The Music are.
I must admit to being completely baffled as to why some people actually opt for the path of self-destruction.
Will be in touch with concerned individuals.
Danny Mackay.
# Posted on April 13th 2003 by Rudall the time
Re: 2 in a bar rule.
i saw the letter from greenwich council re the cricketers and the line that stuck in my mind was that the customers were seen to be 'tapping their feet in time to the music' and thus said music constituted 'entertainment'.
it's pathetic but it's just what you expect from a character like howells.
perhaps someone could tell the military that he's a correspondent for al-jaireza (forgive spelling) and then await his timely demise in one of those uncannily accurate accidents.
bring back slarti baartfast and the fjords is what i say...i can't get enough of that baroque feel ,you know
# Posted on April 13th 2003 by biggus dave
?!
So there was an actual letter of complaint signed by one of the detractors of "mindless diddling"?!
How stupid!
I take it that they targeted The Duke and The W*****n ... and not The A****r?
This is a very sad business. I hope that the publicans concerned bar a number of implicated individuals!
# Posted on April 13th 2003 by Aidan Crossey
Re: 2 in a bar rule.
Will get back to by email Aidan as soon as I can - I don't want to broadcast too much of this sad business.
Danny
# Posted on April 13th 2003 by Rudall the time