Why I'm planning to busk in the limelight

THE television news this morning brought yet more bad tidings for the arts, this time reporting on the crisis facing music venues.

There are any number of reasons why this has come about. Increasingly high rents for premises, a drop in audience numbers because of various factors, doctrinaire politics… and perhaps the current elephant in the room, the fact that Britain is not a particularly happy place these days.

When a country is at ease with itself, the arts flourish. Always. You only have to look at the phenomenon that was the 1960s to see how the equation works.

This momentous decade provided a brief glimpse of another world, a torch that all too briefly illuminated even the darkest corners of what might be achieved.

Today here in Worcester, we have our own tales of woe, the most recent being the news that a truly worthwhile, innovative venture yet to celebrate its second anniversary is encountering a few problems.

Scripthaven – situated at the top of Worcester’s High Street opposite the Elgar statue - is the brainchild of poet laureate and entrepreneur Leena Batchelor.

The shop uniquely combines selling books with poetry readings and authors’ signings, while serving refreshments in a friendly, relaxed environment.

The premises also have links with writing royalty, for back in the 19^th century, celebrated author Charles Dickens stayed here while on a visit to Worcester.

However, a worsening economic climate is starting to take its toll, hence Ms Batchelor’s appeal for a helping hand to give the cash flow a bit of a boost.

And that’s why I’ve offered my services on Saturday, November 22, with an all-day busk to raise funds to help keep the proverbial wolf from the door.

Scripthaven is an incredibly worthwhile venture, highlighting the work of poets, writers and other creatives who are given the unique chance by Leena to present their work in a positive, welcoming space.

Over the last couple of years since Scripthaven was formed, many people who possibly wouldn’t otherwise have a platform, have been encouraged to basically get up and give it a go. And that’s why I want to help.

In addition to an extensive and varied career in newspaper and magazine journalism, I’ve been a guitarist and harmonica player since my teenage days. Down the years in various guises, I’ve played blues, country, folk, period pop and rock, plus a smattering of classic jazz.

I intend to be a kind of ‘human jukebox’. Visitors to the shop will be able to request a number – not a specific number, it must be stressed – in one of those styles, and I’ll do my best to comply in exchange for a cash donation dropped into my busker’s bucket.

So that’s why I’m issuing this appeal - please come along to Scripthaven on Saturday, November 22, and listen to the music while you browse the bookshelves and enjoy a hot or cold drink.

The fight for Scripthaven is a worthy cause. For the shop is a landmark development that has helped to enrich my adopted city… and certainly worth preserving for the years to come.