From
WILTSHIRE FOLK
ARTS
19, Whistley Rd,
Potterne, Devizes, Wiltshire SN10 5QY
01380
726597 (Office) 07714 550990 (Mobile)
email:
info_at_wiltshirefolkarts.org.uk
web: www.wiltshirefolkarts.org.uk
The Potterne
Mummers strike again!
No - we are
not downing tools for better pay - but we are considering doing so for
better conditions!
As you may be
aware from last years emails on the subject, there are severe restrictions on
the performance of these traditional plays.
In a nutshell,
this yearly activity is being restricted because the Mummers fall into a chink
in the recently legislated entertainment licensing law.
Because it is
called a play it has been treated the same as say, a full theatrical
performance or a musical. Because of this all pubs would need to have on their
licence, the words " Performance of a play" in order for the mummers to perform
there. Many pubs, understandably, do not have this and not likely to want to pay
between £100 and £630 to place an amendment to their licence
either.
So we at
Wiltshire Folk Arts and The Potterne Mummers have mounted a campaign to try and
get the Government to see the problems we have but in order to do that we need
lots of correspondence from anyone and everyone we can find that supports the
campaign.
This is going to
be a monumental task but with a lot of help and a following wind, we seriously
believe we can make a difference and allow these type of events to happen
unimpeded by petty beaurocratic nonsense. If you want to know more about what we
are planning, or what we have done so far, please email us. We'll put you on the
campaign mailing list and keep you updated with events as they
happen.
So here we go !!!
. If you can help please do so by writing or emailing your thoughts to us
and we will try to make something happen.
The list of
venues that the Potterne Mummers WILL be playing at this year is still being put
together and we'll send it out this by coming Wed evening at the latest. or you
can call us (07714 550990) for the latest info as it comes in. We
definitely will be performing in Everleigh, Devizes, Market Lavington and
Potterne.
--
Trevor Gilson
02380 456337
SCoFF
webmaster