Sounds from beyonds the Shed 162 “Health and Safety”

Life is increasingly complex but usually manageable despite the occasional barrier, because as sentient beings we should have a vague grasp on what is reasonable and what poses a risk to our continued existence. Or at least I hope we all do, particularly readers of this column, as I can’t afford to lose any of you. We make decisions (some good some less so) on a minute by minute basis as we negotiate the daily challenges thrown at us. That we are still here, now, is a testament to both our common sense and to some extent society’s avuncular oversight ie. putting things in place to avoid the worst happening. You know, railings by cliffs, doors on lifts, health inspectors for food establishments, DBS checks for those working with the vulnerable etc etc. So these two things combined have made our world in the UK, now, safer than it was in 1980 say. But, of course, as individuals we still make the wrong call and sometimes society’s oversight is a step too far. A couple of examples: firstly, my own lack of common sense. I was helping out at a function this week and we needed to serve 150 somewhat elderly people tea and coffee fairly quickly as they were like a pack of demented hounds baying for blood as they queued for their regulation bourbon biscuit and watery drink. I had found myself holding them back like a lion tamer at a zoo armed only with the speedy delivery of said goods rather than a bullwhip which would have been better and I dare say more fun. The boiling urn of water was depleted quickly. The faces turned angry. “Do not fear” I cried “There is another urn already boiling, I’ll fetch it”. Which I did. Carrying approximately ten litres of boiling water about 20 meters trailing an electric cord and stepping over the cord (once I had tripped up on it!) of the one already on the table to set this one down. I’m an idiot.

On the other end of the scale, society, in trying to protect us from our own stupidity and from malevolence towards the vulnerable, can lose sight of the original objectives. My successor at school has been informed this week that she must now register each child individually who is performing in the school play with the local council so they can license the production, she must also hire chaperones to ‘look after’ the children. This is despite the children being at a school function with accompanying teachers (all DBS checked) and several parents in attendance. And she also has the pleasure of having to pay for this experience. This excessive bureaucracy stifles creativity and will lead to less artistic endeavour. As a school it is obliged to present these events but the amateur theatre and music groups  will not be able to afford to jump through these unnecessary hoops. I worry. There is a balance to be had but how do we get it. Answer on a postcard please.

This week, continuing the theme of how revitalising live music is,  I saw Danny and the Champions of the World rip up the Garage, Islington celebrating the release of their new album (review here), I also had the good fortune to meet the excellent James Hodder which reminded me to go back to his album from last year. The radio show is looking back more than forward this week featuring as it does Blake Mills, Merce Lemon, Iron and Wine (also stunning live last week, truly redemptive stuff), three from Jimmy LaFavre, Chuck P, Calexico, the aforementioned J Hodder and much more. As ever take what you…