Banned busker Wes ‘very happy’ after meeting agrees to change council code
A POPULAR busker has challenged a council to review its policies after he was issued a direction-to-leave notice for 24 hours after complaints he was causing a nuisance.
Musician and songwriter Wes Dolan, who has been busking in Mansfield for more than 20 years, said he was “unfairly treated” by Mansfield District Council.
The 42-year-old said he had been inundated with support after the incident on Friday, November 18.
Mansfield District Council said that complaints were received about busking on that day, and two buskers were asked to relocate. But Mr Dolan refused to move on. Officers issued him a direction-toleave notice, saying he needed to leave the town centre for 24 hours.
Busking is not illegal – however, under the code of conduct adopted by the council, buskers are asked that performances should last no longer than 45 minutes, followed by a 15-minute break.
After this time, buskers are asked to move to a new spot, the council said.
Mr Dolan, who comes from a family of musicians, told the Post: “It is my family tradition. My dad and my uncle were also buskers, and I started performing when I was 17.
“I did not want any of the hassle, I am just a normal guy wanting to go to work, earn a few quid – the same as everyone else does.
“But then I felt like I was unfairly pushed around, and this threatened to take away my livelihood, and lead me in a dire situation over Christmas.”
More than 100 supporters and fellow musicians came together in a demonstration to back Mr Dolan in Mansfield Market Place on Saturday.
Mansfield Mayor Andy Abrahams also met the busker at the “We Stand With Wes” rally.
Mr Dolan said there was a “long way to go” to protect the music scene in Mansfield – but that he
was “proud of the progress made”. He added: “Obviously, things are ongoing in terms of figuring out the new approach to the code, but it was nice to have the people show up, the musicians and the rest of the public show their support in the first place.
“We had a meeting a few days before, myself and another street musician with the mayor, councillors and a few other representatives. It seemed like we are getting somewhere and that there was going to be a change to the policy so that it suited everybody.”
Graham Parker, who helped set up the rally, added: “I have known Wes for 15 years now. I know his nature – he is not aggressive at all.
“He is trying to spend his time to bring nothing but happiness to people with his music.
“He is very happy after the meeting with the councillors – so I am feeling very positive as a result of the meeting.”
Councillor Abrahams said he was also pleased to see positive progress come from the meeting with Mr Dolan. He added: “I would like to really thank Mansfield BID, council officers, representatives of town centre businesses, the police, Councillor Lohan, Councillor Barton and Wes himself – supported by Laura Wilcockson – for meeting with us yesterday. It was an insightful meeting on both parts – listening to Wes directly and discussing how we can best work together in the future.
“It was a frank and open discussion by all parties present. Although everyone agreed the existing code was good, it needed refreshing in a few areas to make it more reflective of what was actually happening in practice, to make the guidance clearer and to include what had been agreed at the meeting. A draft of the revised code will go out for wider consultation to all the parties affected by busking.”
He added: “We also jointly decided to make Saturday’s planned event a celebration of busking in Mansfield. We all agreed that this would add vibrancy to the town centre and be welcome addition to the Christmas celebrations planned for Sunday. Thank you again to all our partners, and Wes especially, for working with us on this and we look forward to working more closely together in the future.”