THIS IS MY REPLY TO HIS LATEST ACCUSATIONS.
AS YET IT HAS BEEN UNPUBLISHED BY THE PAPER, THOUGH IT HAS FEATURED TWO MORE LETTERS FROM BH MORGAN SINCE! NOT THAT MATTERS ARE BIASED!
TO: LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, BATH CHRONICLE
FROM: G.P. WALKER, AKA "GROD GRODDLER"
So BH Morgan would prefer to watch two near naked men doing a one-handed handstand with a sparkler up their bottom then listen to me entertaining the tou rists with love songs, sing-alongs and a bit of light comedy. Very revealing of you. But while Skate Naked fight their battle with Milburns and the council, who have now proposed placing a flower stall on their pitch, I continue my campaign to have the ban lifted on using an amplifier so I can perform my act to my best ability.
For those who didn't read his letter of Sat 15th, I hope some of you heard it when I read it out to my audiences the following week. And I'm sure "Harry" Morgan heard it too, because he's always in his window scribbling notes and even videoing my performances from behind a curtain. I wonder if he videoed the roar of laughter at the end?
That's the bit when he wrote "The sparsely talented "Grod" who admits he's not a very good singer." They had just enjoyed my concert, filled my case with cash and wondered what planet you live on. And of course I've never said that.
But your letter explains it all. You stated that my calling you a hypocrite would be worth consideration if the basis of my accusations were true.
You then state that you had nothing to do with getting my amplifier banned, that other people must have complained. Well, the Environmental Health Officer showed me your letters and telephone logs of complaints when we discussed my amplifier last summer.
You claim it was me who got me banned by consistently breaking the busker code. Nope, the busker code allows for battery powered amplification, which I was using. The person who banned me was the Environmental Health Officer, on the basis of 4 complaints in 8 months, having previously told me the level I was playing at was acceptable.
You then state this all happened last Autumn, not 18 months ago. Well, the Notice banning my amplifier was issued on Oct 9th 1998 and has been in effect now for 21 months. Wrong again, though you even quote me as being wrong on this!
You state that you then wrote supporting the principal that the council was applying, that buskers should not be allowed to use powerful amplifiers. Well since my ban you have written again because you are now annoyed by the loud amps of the Peruvian band who play around the corner of the next street. You letter admitted I had been banned from using a modest amplifier in the Abbey Square, I thank you for your support.
He then says "Call me a cynic, but isn't it odd that a letter from London supporting Grod Groddler is published almost simultaneously with that of a "Name and Address supplied" letter, which obviou sly had been written by Graham Walker?"
OK, Mr. Morgan, as well as being a hypocrite and a liar, you are also a cynic. I still live in Bath, and have done for 3 years. I asked the paper not to disclose my address but was their mistake my name was omitted. The letter of D. Green of Finsbury Park, London is perfectly genuine and she has also contacted me. Before that she was unknown to me. I have forwarded your letter for her mirth. What you don't understand is that a lot of people actually like what I do, can't understand you, the Environmental Heath Officer's subjective opinion nor the 2 Magistrates for allowing the ban to stand. Neither can I.
When I see other acts perform with amplification louder then I was using, yes, I feel victimised and persecuted. But what I don't do is break the law. I play un-amplified and am appealing for some common sense to prevail. And to show the difference between my un-amplified sets in Bath, and the amplified sets I do in York, which I used to play here, I have set up a special new website. This has four short video downloads of me performing both day and evening in both cities, York with the amplifier, Bath without. People then can email their opinions to me . This website is called www.geocities.com/grodvincent because all four short videos are my performances of the song "Vincent." A song about persecution and being misunderstood, which I am told I sing really well.
You stated also that you accepted my apology. Again a misunderstanding, I feel sorry for you. Now go and stick the words hypocrite, cynic and liar on your bathroom mirror.
Graham Walker
AKA Grod Groddler Banned Busker Of Bath, BATH
. Email: [email protected]
INTERNET: http://www.geocities.com/grodvincent
CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE THE MADNESS