CALLINGTON Town Band is again calling for a costly ?hair-splitting? license to be abolished. The Temporary Event Notice is required, at a cost of £21, when music groups perform in public. With Christmas approaching, the band secretary contacted Caradon District Council?s licensing officer enquiring whether a TEN was required for playing carols. Shirley Morse, band spokesperson, said the reply received said that ?proper Christmas carols are exempt as they are classed as a form of religious worship?. But if any song considered not to be a carol ? such as White Christmas or Jingle Bells ? was included, a license was required. ?Splitting hairs is a term that comes to mind. Whoever the father of this brainchild is must be congratulating himself on the fact that this green and pleasant land will soon become less so as musicians are muffled for the need of a TEN. ?Please let sense prevail and get rid of this stupid new law,? Mrs Morse said. Carol singers who go house to house can be assured they do not need a TEN, although they should check whether a street collection licence is required.
