What Disjointed Policy Looks Like Pt 94

Buskers. Mixed bag aren't they? For every Sam Lindo there's some idiot bellowing about a BRII-IIIDGE OVERRR TERRUBBLED WORT-ARRRR or blasting away on an annoying tin whistle (tautology alert).

But you know, some people like that sort of thing. A range of abilities is an essential part of busking, all part of the variety and spontaneity and all that.

Nottingham City Council seems a bit confused about what ti thinks about busking, as evidenced by these two tweets -

So only 'authorised' buskers allowed. Have you got a license for that ukelele young man? THE MAN has declared war on street entertainment. Certainly, if I wanted to help kill off a local street entertainment scene, a load of clumsy regulation is probably the means I'd use.

But hang on, what's this?

It seems that THE MAN loves buskers now, we've got the 'Big Busk', all part of the vibrant city and all that. Note that they include a 'code of conduct' as long as your arm although much of it is probably unenforceable.

You also have to apply for a permit, although the legal basis for such a requirement isn't made clear. They've probably simply made one up. Perhaps it's all about getting people used to the idea of being subject to regulation...

So it looks like NCC loves the 'vibrant city' aspect of busking, as long as it's only the right sort of authorised vibrance and that there isn't too much of it in one go. I wonder which committee will get the job of holding auditions.

Personally, just like the public space drinking issue, it's another case of the regulation/ASB fetishists wanking themselves into a frenzy at another opportunity to stamp their authority on the public space.

Bridge LOLs

Human rights organisations across the world have praised Nottingham City Council and tram operator NET for their sensitivity in leaving it for a whole week after the 25th anniversary of the Tiannamen Square massacre before naming a tram bridge in honour of the 'special relationship' shared between Nottingham and Ningbo in China.

Speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals such as his Housing Benefit being cut etc, one human rights advocate said -

"Bearing in mind China's appalling human rights record which includes, among other things, more people subjected to the death penalty than the rest of the world put together, religious persecution and continued occupation and repression in Tibet, holding the bridge naming on 4th June 2014, the 25th anniversary of the Tiannamen Square Massacre may have been seen as grossly insensitive. So it is gratifying that they left it for a week and I am happy to accept that this makes it alright."

The ceremony will commence with a line of Type 59 battle tanks rumbling over the bridge before being met by a lone male holding a couple of shopping bags. Celebrations will end with order being resumed and dissent being crushed.

Addendum; this isn't the first time the City Council has engaged in a China lovefest in apparent ignorance of human rights issues.

In Ca(stle) Hoots

Before I start proper, can I just clear one thing up?

YES IT IS A PROPER CASTLE YOU FUCKWITS!!!

Sorry about that. I am genuinely pleased at the Heritage Lottery Fund's decision to send a heap of money Nottingham Castle's way. I'm a big fan of the Castle which has a mass of history to it and is a genuinely interesting place to visit. The absolute highlight is the cave tour, something which will be extended under the plans. Nottingham really should be making more of its cave network and this is a good start.

There has been the predictable complaint in the 'Post' comments demanding we knock the current building down and build a 'proper' castle (see above for my standard reaction), ignoring the fact that it's a Grade 1 listed building and that the story of its appearance and near destruction is a big part of Nottingham's history in its own right.

I'm particularly interested in the fact that there are plans to tell the story of the various rebels and rioters, in particular the Reform Act Riots of 1831, from Nottingham's past.

Wonder where they got that idea from?

Mock executions at the Galleries of Justice anybody?