Colin

A good idea that we tried on a couple of occasions. Unfortunately, it didn't work. It required extra stewards and led to a lot of confrontation.

See my other post. Showing your age there (or lack of it) Suppository did indeed play a lot of their gigs at Hamnavoe (and also Scalloway) but Sufferin Aunties->Fut Difino->Spartikus Crumb played most of their gigs at Scalloway. Scalloway was (and continues to be) the starting point for a lot of other local bands.

Missed the point there. One of the reasons people won't help is because they do not want to apply any rules. Already do that with a stamping system. Different stamps each time we open. Black - Under 18 Red - Over 18 No stamp (washed off, whatever) Pay again or leave. Problem is that a lot of over 18's will buy drink for the under 18's. They get 1 warning and then the're out.. Not specifically for music but, it's been tried before. I think someone actually got a job (paid) to organise volunteers. Best of my knowledge, nothing much came of it. Sounds good but the problem is getting people to take time off work (loss of earnings etc.) to attend training sessions and then expect them to give up their free time during evenings/weekends to act as stewards. As for kids being cheek or misbehaving. No problem. That's just youthfull high spirits and can be tolerated providing it doesn't go to far. I find that if you want to gain respect( and the little authority to control a situation ) the best method is to treat them with respect and as adults not as kids. Yes it could and, personally, I have helped at other halls when asked. Some halls are still interested. Scalloway has held a few gigs over the last couple of months.

Hi Alan (and anyone else who may be interested) This is a bit of 'Urban Legend' arising from just 1 (or, possibly, 2)country hall committee(s) being spoken to by the Police who warned them that they were in danger of losing their licence. If my memory serves me correctly, this has also happened to a number of commercial premises. The Police cannot revoke anyone's licence. They can, however, order the closure of the bar (and any function) at any licenced premises if they are not satisfied with the way it is being run. This closure order (to the best of my knowledge) is only effective for the day it is issued. The are a number of reasons why country halls do not open for bands these days. In no particular order; They are run by unpaid volunteers who are very reluctant to undertake the new training requirements that are being imposed. Volunteers are, mostly, of an age that makes them feel threatened by the abuse handed out by some youngsters. This has led to a shortage of willing volunteers to help run gigs. Halls have had to develop 'Conditions of Let' to protect themselves from irresponsible hirers. Hirers are very reluctant to sign anything that implies that they are responsible for running their own function. Not surprisingly, halls are tired of carrying the can for hirers who, basically, take the money and run. Some hirers also think that underage drinking is 'OK' and are VERY reluctant to confiscate alcohol. This leaves the hall fighting against underage drinking with no support from the hirer. Groups and organistions that traditionally hired halls for fund raising events now seem to prefer packing bags at supermarkets. Collecting cash without responsibility. The average age group has lowered primarily due to hirers using third party outlets for their ticket sales. These outlets have no real interest in who they are selling tickets to and make no attempt at age verification. There's more (much) but this should be enough for now.

Similar to this 1 bottle fizzy drink 1 sugar cube Wedge sugar cube in neck of bottle Replace cap Invert bottle to dissolve sugar Place bottle where you can see it. Try to look innocent when someone opens it.

I have to clear up a misconception here. (Probably worthy of a thread on it's own) The halls didn't get 'stopped' as you put it. They stopped themselves. The were many other reasons as well but, the example you quoted is one of them. I think that the issue here is that most of the 'entertainment' available at weekends is adult orientated and would have to agree that there does not seem to be much focus on the under-18 age group. We do try to put something on once a month at Scalloway but, and we are the first to admit it, that doesn't help much. The people that say that don't know how to drink