Artisan

There are isolation exemptions for UK artists returning to England or Scotland from Europe. Or exemptions for international artists entering the UK. Applications must come via an established venue. #section-1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">artscouncil.org.uk/covid-19/self-…

For all those of you who haven't been able to get to a Les Barker gig since before lockdown, he'll be committing his brilliant comedy poetry online at Live to Your Living Room on Friday. This can ve seen from anywhere in the world. Details: livetoyourlivingroom.com/events/les-bar…

A local concert fundraiser for Motor Neurone Disease last night raised over £1,000 and brought Artisan out of retirement. That's us in the distance.

Artisan supporters, you can now sign up for Jacey's author newsletter for details of her upcoming book THE AMBER CROWN, due from DAW on 11th Jan 2022. Next newsletter on Thursday with a sneak preview. jaceybedford.co.uk/contact.htm

“It is vital that our members are able to survive this closure period, which will be far lengthier than for most other workers” MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge welcomes £1.57bn cultural fund, calls on Government to close gaps in support huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/governme…

@UK_Music @sarahmcquaid You haven't included managers and agents in your survey. We've taken a huge it re Covid 19

UK Music launches 2020 survey for music creators. Contribute to #MusicByNumbers, the annual economic study of the UK’s music industry. We need your responses now more than ever to help us to build an accurate picture of the industry. Click here: bit.ly/3abfhWO

UK Music's Acting CEO @Tomkiehl calls on Government to honour "parity" pledge of support for the self-employed. Read more here: bit.ly/3gAqzbM

There are some dreadful things, authoritarian and illiberal, in the Tory manifesto, on human rights, voting rights, and judicial review. This is a far-right party with some nasty instincts. VOTE TACTICALLY: this is urgent.

Small print on Tory 50,000 nurses policy is disturbing. • Timeline is 10 yrs. 2029 • It includes 5,000 nursing apprenticeships • It includes “retaining” 18,500 existing nurses • 12,000 poached from other country’s health systems • Only 1,000 new UK nurses per year Fraud

Had a wonderful time last Saturday singing for a Motor Neurone Disease fundraiser, just a couple of miles down the road. Artisan is still officially retired, but we never say never again. It was a good excuse to dust off our tonsils. People said, 'Still as good as ever.'

Only a Tory Government could cut 21,000 Police Officers, sit back & watch crime soar & then proudly announce recruitment of 1,200 Police Officers as the “biggest increase in Police officer numbers in 10 years!” RT to let them know they are fooling no one!

@vickiswan Government is intending to change the early May bank holiday date in 2020. Vicki Swan says: The number of festivals this impacts is ridiculous. With 11 months notice, did the government not think this through? Please sign! petition.parliament.uk/petitions/2424…

#Brexit might affect the UK music industry and culture. Our CEO ⁦@MichaelDugher⁩ wrote to the PM to convey music industry concerns. Read here, along with the Government’s response: bit.ly/2TSoCuw

MUSICIAN FRIENDS, if you are coming into the UK (to perform) from outside the EU with a valid Certificate of Sponsorship and are planning to travel via Ireland, you need to read this.

For all my musician friends who are coming in to perform in the UK from outside the EU.

Putting tours together for 2019 and 2020 for the newly reformed COSMOTHEKA. Great music hall songs delivered with wit and authenticity. Interested? jacey-bedford.com/Cosmotheka.htm

Jacey and Brian just put down harmony vocals for Ben Walker's version of 'I Am Woman, I Am Man' written by Brian Bedford and first recorded on Artisan's RANDOM PLAY album in 2010. Brian is mastering Ben's album in the studio as I type.

Everyday ... Today 60 years ago was his last - simple songs with great insight from Buddy Holly ....a song written before cell phones, internet and a universe that was asking more and more for us to keep up.... Everyday,... songfacts.com/lyrics/buddy-h…

Deeply sorry to hear that both Roy Bailey and Bill Caddick passed away. A sad loss for the folk world. Condolences to their families.