A petition has been launched calling for legendary Punch & Judy man Professor Brent de Witts to have his shows reinstated at Viking Bay.
Brent has been bringing his show to the Broadstairs beach for some 30 years and it is a popular attraction for families.
But this year Brent, who travels across America and Europe to perform, has hit issues with the licence needed to stage entertainment on the beach.
It means he is unable to perform his daily Punch & Judy shows. Another performer is set to hold shows but has only eight booked for the month.
A Thanet council spokesperson said: ”Beach entertainment on Viking Bay is managed by Broadstairs and St Peter’s Town Council. To safeguard the public, all performers must provide the Town Council with proof of right to work, public liability insurance and a risk assessment.
“Once a performer has been selected and approved, the Town Council must then apply to Thanet District Council for a licence to use a specific area for entertainment purposes. They must provide evidence of public liability insurance and any other necessary documentation.
“The District Council’s Public Spaces Protection Order forbids any performers from trading on public land, unless prior permission or a licence has been granted by the council in line with policy.”
Petition
But the loss of Brent and his show has caused an outpouring of disappointment on social media and prompted the launch of a petition by local Kyle Pressley to ‘Bring Back Brent.’
On the petition page he says: “Although Brent has been coming here for 20+ years and travels far and wide he chooses Broadstairs every summer. We are very lucky to get this lovely man providing Punch and Judy every single day of summer, three times a day!
“If action doesn’t get taken I expect we will lose the lovely Brent and his amazing show.”
UPDATE
Broadstairs mayor Kristian Bright said the issue for Brent was a licence to perform on council estate had not been obtained.
He added: “To receive a license, any individual or business must be in possession of the right to work in the UK, public liability insurance and, if working with children, the relevant DBS checks.
“As a public body – both the Town Council and TDC cannot employ anyone not in possession of the required license and paperwork.
“Public safeguarding is paramount for this council and we will not shy from our responsibility on this matter.”
He added: “The staff at BTC moved quickly to source a replacement. We were lucky to have Ben, a regular performer at the Dickens Festival, step into the breach and entertain children at Pierremont Hall.”
What is the world coming too, risk assessment for Punch & Judy?
Enough said.
He’s working with children, in case you hadn’t noticed. Does he even have a work permit or public liability insurance in case something bad happens?
Even a market stall has to have Public liability insurance.
All Brent has to do is bring the required paperwork to BTC who than apply to TDC.
I find nothing out of the ordinary that is being asked of Brent
Risk assessment, normal
Public liability insurance, normal
Proof to work, normal.
I dont see why you need a petition to bring back Brent when it seems its Brent’s fault ! why not get a petition ‘ come on brent het your paperwork sorted’
Exactly so. No amount of petition will get Professor Brent back until he completes the necessary paperwork.
Presumably the other chap filed in the necessary paperwork a timely manner.
i was thinking old roger and craigy boy will soon be looking for a new job , that might be a future career change for those two ?
….but would anyone vote to see them?
‘Elf and safety gone mad! I tell ye.
Snowflakes. The woke blob has a lot to answer for.
Wouldn’t ‘ave ‘appended in my day!
I’ve signed the petition: disgraceful I blame the BBC.
I thought it would be better when we were out!!!
Farage wouldn’t let this ‘Appen…
Mumble mumble.
Or….
The dude could just fill out the paperwork.
Next
Thanet council being Jerks, surprise surprise.
This should not be permitted if the show includes domestic abuse, and violence against women! I think we should be told!
I lived and grew up in Margate and then Ramsgate. I used to watch and enjoy Punch and Judy. I never saw it as condoning violence. However, it did serve to remind me that violence exists all around us. But most of all it just made me laugh. Children can instinctively separate fiction from truth. Regrettably, these days a few vociferous adults cannot understand or effect not to understand this essential difference. I moved to Margate shortly after 1945. We all knew what true violence was.
Why has this chap been allowed to trade for many years without a license?
All the other cafes and concessions around the cost have to have a lease or license and insurance!
There is far to many people running beach schools and fitness classes on the beaches without paying any rent!
It’s so unfair! One rule for one and one rule for another!!
This needs looking into!!
I believe he previously had a licence but there was an issue this year
I lived and grew up in Margate and then Ramsgate. I used to watch and enjoy Punch and Judy. I never saw it as condoning violence. However, it did serve to remind me that violence exists all around us. But most of all it just made me laugh. Children can instinctively separate fiction from truth. Regrettably, these days a few vociferous adults cannot understand or effect not to understand this essential difference. I moved to Margate shortly after 1945. We all knew what true violence was.
He can get public liability insurance from Equity