Town welcomes buskers with a permit
Wednesday 17th June 2009, 2:29PM BST.
Veteran busker Dave Fuller
BUSKING could become a permanent feature of Town.
It all depends on the busking permit trial being introduced this summer.
In a collaboration between the Culture and Leisure Department and the Guernsey Arts Commission, with support from St Peter Port constables, a system has been devised allowing buskers to perform in Town in the summer.
This is the first time such a system has been used in Guernsey.
‘This is going to be a learning curve for everyone involved,’ said Culture and Leisure marketing director Peter Falla.
‘We’ve devised this scheme through common sense and looking at other jurisdictions around the country.’
He said that if all went well the streets could be open to more performers in the future.
Mr Falla said the Arts Commission would work closely with buskers and will be looking to get feedback.
Buskers will be allowed to perform from Mondays to Saturdays between 10am and 4pm. Trial sites include the High Street outside Boots, Market Terrace and outside the Guernsey Information Centre.
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oh dear, it gets more like a little britain every day .this is the height of culture in guernsey is it ,begging in the streets?
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Great stuff, I love being able to wander around Town and see people playing with their instruments. Should be something that brightens up Town for both locals and visitors and gives some of our exceptionally talented music students both exposure and a away to earn some ca$h.
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Our multi talented politicians are among those rumoured to be lining up for some of the busker slots to provide us all with a little light entertainment during their summer recess.
Among the favourites for a street permit are Chief Minister Lyndon Trott with his amazing rendition of Gary Glitter’s I’m the Leader of the Gang I am… Do you wanna be in my gang, my gang, my gang… do you wanna be in my gang, oh yeah!!!
Second on the list of hopefuls is Public Services chief and mass burn enthusiast Bernard Flouquet doing Fire by the Crazy World of Arthur Brown – “I am the god of hell fire and I bring you fire, I’ll take you to burn… I’ll take you to learn…. I’ll see you burn….”
(The Black and White Minstrels are said to be reforming specially to provide the backing vocals for Bernard’s unique performance).
Next in the all star States line up is Treasury Minister cheerful Charlie Parkinson with a Beatles and Abba medley. Starting with the Fab Four’s Now gimme money, that’s what I want, Charles soars effortlessly into Abba’s hit Money, Money, Money… must be funny…in a rich man’s world…
Last but not least, Dave Jones is practicing hard to show us his seductive, feminine side with an extraordinary, one-off performance of the Dance of the Seven Vales!
Prepare to be amazed
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@davee
There is a big difference between busking and begging! I am not too sure why you would even write that.
I look forward to the busking.
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Who can i complain to when Mr one-man-band is out of tune outside of my office window?!
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I think it’s a fantastic idea, it will really brighten up Town, as long as it is done properly. No one wants to put up with a load of wannabees thinking they know how to play and sing!
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Perhaps Dave could also perform the Bonnie Tyler classic, Lost in France. Preferably when he’s next visiting his holiday home and gets hopelessly, er, lost in France, never to be seen again!!
Only joking Dave, perhaps This Ole House would be more your style….
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Phil
Actually I do get lost in France on occasions mostly because my Sat Nav thinks that cart tracks are actually paved highways, as for the house, it belongs to my wife and has done so for a number of years. If I did any busking in town, it would certainly clear the place very quickly as I have a singing voice like a strangled cat. If the buskers who are there bring a smile to the faces of some then why not? Town needs a little livening up and while the weathers good it is good to see the street performers doing their bit.
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I think it’s a fantastic idea, town has become such a dire and depressing place recently with more and more shops and busineses closing down and standing empty.
A little busking might just cheer the area up a bit!
Don’t let us down those in charge and get those licences dished out….
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How do we get the licenses? Who do we speak to?
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Jon
The Parish Constables.
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The “Parish Constables”..!!!!! So – the buskers really DO have to beg!
Aggers D.
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Our town is perfect for busking/street entertainment 20 years ago this simply would not have been even considered as the St Peter Port’s Constable Office was immovable, dogmatic and seemed to have been stuck in some quasi mid-19th Century time warp.
Since then we have seen a far more relaxed approach to open air eating, more events such as the Harbour Carnival and the Town Carnival and now it appears busking. All good for St PP and long overdue.
As an addendum we do seem to have missed a trick along the way. Anyone who has been to Covent Garden will know the Plaza:
http://www.milesfaster.co.uk/gallery/covent-garden/covent-garden.htm
Our market square is under utilised – a granite grave. If the powers that be could get together and look at how we could bring in concessions and entertainment making that a focal point for *entertainment, street art and eateries it would a useful ‘value add’ to our St Peter Port product.
*The idea of entertainers lining up in front of Jennie Tasker, Barry Cash with big red buttons in a Guernsey’s Got Talent does make me chuckle.
Good luck to all of the acts.
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Sounds a decent enough idea with a licence system, at least then we should hopefully have reasonably talented musicians.
Ben – the easiest way to complain is to not give them money – if someone is rubbish nobody will pay and they’ll go away! :-)
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How will this be policed To stop somebody without a permit from busking? I work in town and its rare i see a Policeman/Woman. Special Busking constables maybe? A good idea as long as they are not blocking entrances/walkways etc. And they are not unbearably loud.
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I have performed in Guernsey and would love to come over and busk does any one have any contact details?
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Jamma
St Peter Port Constables office
Tel 01481 720014
constables@stppcons.com
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Jamma
Here’s the website link for the St Peter Port Constables Office. It’s the equivalent to (I assume you are from England) your Town Hall
http://www.stppcons.com/
I’d start there if I were you.
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Actually, its not the constables office. You need to contact Paul at Guernsey Information Centre if you want to Busk.
Constables do not have any thing to do with it.
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Hopefully they will consider one or two on the bridge as well, its something I have thought should be done for years as long as they regulate it.
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