Any resident or ex-pat of the UK who is into session music MUST go here http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/licensing and sign the petition against the Government proposal to make all live music (and that includes informal pub sessions) an activity that requires a licence.
Thi is another stealth tax and is a deplorable proposal. WE MUST get this scrapped.
I don’t know for sure what your substance of choice is, but I think this has been a done deal for about a year and a half now.
Inccidently, from personal experience, the measures have NOT affected live sessions in any shape or form at all, or the enjoyment of same by those who happen upon them.
Mr. Plod will only interfere when the rabble or noise of same spill out onto the street and in their excesses cause mayhem to the otherwise enjoyment of other customers and residents of the premises involved.
The good news is that the same legislation did away with set hours that pubs and clubs could open. YI HA! For the first time since the First World War it has not been a criminal offence to partake of alcohol, or be IN the premises’ where alcohol is being served and inbibed outwith prescribed hours.
[quote=“Pipewort”]I don’t know for sure what your substance of choice is, but I think this has been a done deal for about a year and a half now./quote]
There has always been a requirement for public houses to hold an entertainment licence if sessions are to be held. Some years ago the pub I played in no longer wanted to pay for such a licence for the one night that we were there so they got around the issue by closing the pub on that night and ‘opened’ it again to us as a music club for which we all had to hold membership cards. )we were usually the only people in there anyway so it madde no differernce to them!)
However, as I understand it, this proposed legislation goes further and will require the MUSICIANS or the licenced property on behalf of the musicians to apply for a licence to hold the session, in much the same way as any band would need to do so for any public performance. This is clearly unacceptable and is still in the political melting pot. (and has been for some time)
So no. it is not a done deal, and the closing date for objections is 11th of June 2007 - a week away. Time is running out for us to unite and quash this ridiculous idea.
[quote=“Pipewort”]I don’t know for sure what your substance of choice is./quote]
I am mildly offended by this! 
It doesnae apply in Scotland we have oor own Parly so it is hardly a UK thing,this is more like the Disunited Kingdom,anyway good luck wi yoor struggle in sassanach land,Don’t be mildy offended that is a waste o feelings be… Highly offended much more satisfying… won’t get ye anywhere mind ye other than an early grave wi high blood pressure. 
Slán Agat
Uilliam
HA! I like your style!