THE St Peter Port constables are looking into reviewing the busking control law.
Anyone currently wishing to busk on public land in St Peter Port needs permission from the constables and all the money must go to a registered charity.
They are now looking into how towns in the UK deal with the matter.
Senior Constable Jenny Tasker said issues to consider included how many people would be involved and for how long and where they would play.
‘No one has, as far as I am aware, ever had a problem with people collecting for charity and we are now looking into how other places organise buskers who collected for themselves,’ she said, adding that the law needed to be brought up to date.
Harpist Autumn Curtis-Summers (pictured) was keen to see more performers taking to the streets. She has been told by the constables it is illegal by virtue of 1982 summary offences legislation.
‘It’s completely and utterly bonkers. This is a law against begging. Busking is not the same because we are offering a service for which people show their appreciation,’ she said.
The only other relative law is an ordinance of 1843 which relates to ‘musiciens itinerant’, which states that people can perform only if they have the permission of the constables.
‘The constables keep trying to tell me it is illegal, but it is not, it is a myth that has been perpetuated,’ said Miss Curtis-Summers.
The dictionary definition is to ‘play music in the street for voluntary donations’.
Miss Curtis-Summers said that as far as she was aware, the only legal issue would be noise pollution or blocking of the road.
‘If you plant an orchestra in the middle of the High Street there might be a problem,’ she said.
The constables feel control is necessary to stop non-residents playing and collecting money.
‘Considering the amount it would cost to get here, it wouldn’t be worth the effort,’ said Miss Curtis-Summers.
The terrace at the Town Markets is leased to developer McAulay and buskers have been asked to provide a Right to Work document before they can set up.
‘We try to market ourselves as a Continental-type tourist destination, but over there cities and towns are full of pavement artists and musicians. I don’t know why the constables are so against it,’ said Miss Curtis- Summers.
A Facebook group, ‘Make busking legal in Guernsey’, has been set up by The Gallery in Mill Street and has 345 members.
nÊIf you or your band would like to busk at the Markets on Saturdays or during late-night shopping on Thursdays leading up to Christmas, contact Sonia Taylor at Terrace Promotions on 07781 163666.
Word on the street Page 3
Article posted on 1st December, 2008 - 2.30pm
12 Article Comments
“we are offering a service for which people show their appreciation”
The issue with busking is that everyone walking past is forced to listen to it whether they appreciate it or not. It’s not like a concert where you have the choice to attend or not depending or your particular taste.
Perhaps a solution would be for local pub could have a “busking” evening and let people go and strut their stuff? That way, those who want to listen can go and “show their appreciation” whilst those who don’t can stay away.
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As a musician and performer myself, I feel that music creates a rather pleasant atmosphere and I would love to see more buskers in the streets in town. Not necessarily for the money side of things, but just for general entertainment. For Example in the Summer Months when there were pianos dotted around the streets of St. Peter Port and so I went to play them; and you would be surprised how many people would just come and sit down, buy a coffee from somewhere and sit and listen. It’s nice to just relax sometimes from the stress of shoppings and it gives performers a chance to share their talents with the island.
Richard Long, Age 14
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Let them play!!
During the town carnival it is great to see & hear performers throughout the town… to have this more often would certainly not ba a bad thing…
If people want to do it for a living or to make extra cash then it should be encouraged – it would help liven up the town…
Some of the artists you hear on the London Underground are brilliant artists…
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Perhaps another suggestion would be to allow street busking every other week?
Whilst I’m not it’s greatest fan, I do appreciate that others enjoy it – this way both sides would be catered for adequately.
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As there isn’t a law against busking, I would love to know how the constables would propose they would prosecute anyone who decided to busk right now. From what I read in that article it isn’t illegal and the constables are way off the mark in saying that you need their permission.
Bring on the busking!
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As Belinda said, It won’t do any harm for buskers to perform on the streets. Even if the constables would want to prosecute someone. i believ they should not have the right. It’s enjoyable for the general public and the buskers themselves.
I Second Belindas Quote:
“Bring on the Busking!!!”
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Discretion comes to mind if they are causing a nuisance move them on if not enjoy!
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Total agree… If poeple want to play music in pubic please let them..
Mrs Tasker.. stop being a control freak you not a head teacher any more.. let em play.
Bring back busking…let enjoy real music again
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It’s a great initiative long overdue. I wish the constables the best of luck. Should have been done years ago; SPP is perfect for this sort of thing.
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Fair enough let some people play/sing.
But those dancers/ singers outside new look were a nuisance. i ended up having to walk through the middle of there display because there was no other way through.
Its a great idea, as long as they are not disrupting the walkways and there is still room for people to stand and watch and let others get past.
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I quite agree GsyGal – it isn’t right for any street entertainers to block the way (which is an offence), or make too much noise (which is also an offence), but let’s hope that people take the initiative now and start bringing some music and entertainment to St Peter Port on a regular basis now.
I heard about a young lad who was busking in St Peter Port in the summer and got told he “wasn’t allowed to” by the Police. I would love to know why they thought they could tell him that when there isn’t any law against it! Until such time as procedures are drawn up to “regulate” busking, I reckon people should make the most of the chance to play in our beautiful town.
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i absolutely hate it when you walk around the streets and have to listen to buskers. if people want to do it their own houses let them but i cont not feel it necessary to have to listen to it while you are shopping. if every busker was good that would be a different story but the fact is a lot of buskers cannot act/sing/dance or perform well in general. i feel auditions should be stricter and if they are not good enough then they should not be able to perform
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