DONATIONS from across the country have been sent to Callington Town Band after new Government licensing laws, which could cripple community musical groups, incensed the public. One man in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, has donated £150 to the group which will fund its seven Christmas concerts. And other donations and support for the campaign to make small groups and bands exempt from Temporary Events Notices (TENS) have also been received. The campaign, which was first highlighted by the Times in August, received national publicity after the band was told it would have to pay for a licence to play 'Jingle Bells'. A TENS, which costs £21, is needed every time the band plays in public unless the venue already has a public licence. Christmas concerts purely featuring carols are exempt because they are considered religious music, but if festive favourites like Jingle Bells and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer are included a licence is required. Band publicity officer Shirley Morse said Jingle Bells was well and truly back on the song sheet thanks to the public donations. 'When we perform in the street we might collect £50, and £21 out of this money when we have to pay for music and insurance and so on is a big drain on our finances,' she said. 'We had articles in the local and national press and it's gone quite crazy really. One Methodist minister wrote letters of concern to the MP and the British Bandsmen and another person has offered £150. 'Without this money we would not be performing these favourite songs and it's the kids especially who love these. It's very rewarding that people are taking notice.' Mrs Morse said South East Cornwall MP Colin Breed was very supportive but more support was needed from other bands to take the campaign forward. 'The new legislation appears to have been brought in with the best intention to crack down on large events but as it has filtered through it is bands like ours that are affected badly,' she said. Two hundred people signed Callington Town Band's petition in the town square one Saturday morning and this has been submitted to Caradon District Council. In a letter to the band, Mr Breed said common sense needed to be used by the district council when implementing these regulations. 'I do not believe the Government had any intention of causing the unintended consequences, but the stock in trade of local government and government in general tends to be the creation of more and more red-tape and unnecessary regulations,' he said. 'Whilst I doubt there is the possibility of abolishing the temporary events notice, it should nevertheless be reviewed in the light of all these circumstances and I have written to the Minister accordingly.'