A week ago I rallied for fair votes. Yesterday I declared my support for the BBC radio station 6music at Broadcasting House in London at the event organised by love6music.com, and reported in today’s Independent.
Fear that I’m turning into Arthur Scargill is tempered by my experience of both events being impossibly polite, good natured and yes downright middle class. Yesterday, several people even brought cakes. Militant insurrection was not on the agenda.
A blisteringly hot midday sun shone down on some excellent speeches.
Liz Kershaw opened with a convincing argument against the Rajars, Cerys Matthews (of all people) stirred us up with patriotic rhetoric and Ed Byrne hit the main point that the proposed closure of one of the BBC’s most culturally significant offerings is such a nonsense:
Collins & Herring were just... Collins & Herring, brilliantly diverting into a bit of Collings & Herrin for good measure, with Richard definitely not swearing because of the children present. I love these guys:
I first wrote some pomposity about this proposal in March. Having listened to the speakers yesterday I’ve reviewed my thoughts (particularly on the demographic issue) but my overall opinion is now stronger than ever. My email has been sent to the BBC and I’ve filled in the survey.
You should do the same if the intelligent celebration and development of music, culture and creativity in the digital age means anything to you. Do it no later than tomorrow (Monday 24 May 2010) as the consultancy period closes on Tuesday.
Other than making yourself feel better about declaring your support to strangers and friends, tweeting and joining a Facebook petition will have no effect at all when it comes to the BBC Trust review.
Thanks to all involved in organising yesterday and for sharing the videos I’ve used here. love6music has plenty of other photos from the day and they also have all you need to know on what to do. Please do it.