THE PIPER HAS STARTED A COUNTER CAMPAIGN AND IS PROTESTING HIS INNOCENCE!

Ridiculous comments by the piper in the oxford mail:

1. "Some bands come into Cornmarket and use loads of amplifiers and break all the council's busking guidelines but I stick to them and I think I should be allowed to stay." Heath Richardson, ‘Bagpiper refuses to go quietly’, Oxford Mail, Wednesday 19th December 2007

2. ‘He said: "I am astounded that people are actually being abusive online - it's totally over the top and it has to stop.”’ Heath Richardson, ‘Piper targeted by online abuse’, Oxford Mail, Thursday 20th December 2007

As far as the first comment is concerned, Mr. Richardson is breaking at least three rules in ‘Busking in Oxford’, Oxford’s busking code of conduct. That his volume level is high enough to be ‘intrusive or be a nuisance in nearby premises’ has been clearly established. His pipes are also heard clearly at a distance of more than 50 yards, as many instances of his pipes clashing with other instruments are recorded in our busking diary in Appendix 2 of our report. His abusive behaviour, also recorded in our diary below, clearly breaks rules 12 and 14. Not to mention the incident with the children’s choir, again.

This then leads us directly into his second comment. Whilst this claim is indeed true – the MySpace page is abusive and his description of it is accurate – , is he helping his own cause by making so much of a fuss about it after the abuse that he has given to others?

For the record, there are a number of web pages on the internet abusing the piper which have nothing to do with our campaign and we strongly disagree with the way in which they abuse him. Our only web presence at this time is this blog and our own facebook group. ANBO is an above-board organisation, which is not anti-busking, and is striving for a resolution to the problem of nuisance busking which satisfies all parties, be they workers, students, residents or buskers.


'Busking in Oxford'
The Council's Code of Practice


DON’T:
5. Use mains or generator power for amplification. Busking must not be intrusive or be a nuisance in nearby premises (as prescribed in the Environmental Protection Act 1990 [as amended]). Music or voices should not be heard plainly at a distance of 50 metres.

12. Act in any way, or say anything that is likely to cause offence to a member of the public.

14. Act in any way that amounts to anti social behaviour and is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to members of the public or local traders.



Excerpts taken from Appendix 2: ‘Busking Diary’ (diary of busking activity over summer)


Wednesday 18th July
- 12:25 – 12:55 - Bagpipe Player
- 13:00 – 14:00 - Guitar Player – clashing with Bagpipe Player

Thursday 19th July
- 13:30 – 14:00 – Bagpipe Player – Outside Vodaphone but we can hear him clearly
- 14:15 – 14:50 - Bagpipe Player

Friday 20th July
- Raining!! No Street Entertainment!!!
- 15:15 – 15:45 - Bagpipe Player (in another spot but clearly heard.)

Tuesday 24th July
- 15:00 – 15:30 - Bagpipe Player – (not outside but clearly heard clashing with the harpists)

Wednesday 25th July
- 15:50 – 16:20 – Bagpipe Player
(Phoned Environmental Health because he was shouting abuse at a few people – including a boy who took a photo of him and he demanded money. Got through to Matt who said that he would notify the police)

Monday 30th July
- 14:00 – 14:30 - Bagpipe Player – Not outside but still clearly heard
- 14:40 – 15:10 - Bagpipe Player

Tuesday 31st July
- 14:45 – 15:15 – Bagpipe Player not outside but heard

Wednesday 1st August
- 12:10 – 12:40 - Bagpipe Player not outside but clearly heard clashing with recorder

Thursday 2nd August
- 13:15 – 13:45 - Bagpipe Player clashing with Harpist

Friday 3rd August
- 14:35 – 15:35 - Singers – Keyboard & Guitar Players
Clashing with Bagpipes who was outside Vodaphone
(Went to meet Mr Waggott to discuss a Buskers Action Plan)

Tuesday 7th August
- 13:20 – 13:50 - Bagpipe Player outside Vodaphone clashing with Harpists
- 14:45 – 15:20 - Bagpipe Player
(At 14:15 he started shouting very aggressively at passers by – He shouted ‘I can’t believe people are so rude’, ‘Only £4!!’ and stamped his foot aggressively, he then shouted ‘Does this look easy?’ until a few reluctant people began to put money in his hat – I do not see how this is a positive portrayal of Oxford for tourists)

Thursday 9th August
- 16:10 – 16:40 - Bagpipe Player clashing with drums
(16:25 - He shouted at a man who took his picture – ordering him to “come back” when he started walking away)

Monday 13th August
- 14:40 – 15:20 - Bagpipe Player outside Vodaphone clashing with Harpist
- 15:25 – 16:00 - Bagpipe Player – right outside
(At 15:50 he shouted at someone for accidentally kicking the rug with his money on – he tried to help him pick it up but he told him to b*gger off”)

Friday 17th August
- 13:20 – 13:50 - Bagpipe Player – clashing with the Harpists

Wednesday 22nd August
- 14:30 – 15:00 - Bagpipe Player
- 15:00 – 15:30 - Bagpipe Player
(Stopped to shout at William who was taking a photo of him)

Tuesday 28th August
- 13:00 –13:30 - Bagpipe Player – stopped to shout at someone who accidentally kicked his money


What do YOU think?