border entry to UK - hassles?

[Godfrey Daniels]

Hi buskers!

Dan Vie here in Vancouver, Canada.

I'm bringing a core group of members of my street band, "The Carnival
Band" to Newcastle, England 1st week of June - for a busking festival - just a meeting of bands, no pay.

We need to know the details about coming into the UK as
'buskers'. Given increased security in wartime, I'm worried
customs will take one look at us freaks, our gear and
costumes and refuse us entry. Going from Vancouver across the border to Seattle is a big deal here,they will refuse entry based on looks, if you say you're going to a 'festival', or 'volunteering' for an event - US border has refused saying, "you're taking volunteer jobs away from an American volunteers"!

I heard that the cost of UK work permits has increased to something like 85 pounds = $200 canadian. We're flying into London Gatwick, but I hear the Northern airports like Glasgow/Manchester are less stringest entry. In any case, we would only enter the UK as 'workers'if absolutely necessary.

I've been asking all the buskers I know, agents in London, blabla;
nobody's heard a peep on this. One guy got turned back, he had gear, promo and a bad story. Has anyone here had any hassles?
How can we make it easy? What should our story be?
Get a 'letter' from the sponsor?
Thanks a million.

Also, if you have any tips on best pitches in the UK,
we'll be going to Covent Garden, Brighton, Yorkshire, Morecambe, maybe Edinburgh...

please respond to:

Dan Vie
shiva@smartt.com

for the Carnival Band
carnival@thecarnivalband.com
www.thecarnivalband.com (http://www.thecarnivalband.com)

[stickman]

Never had any serious problems myself. Though heard from others who have though. They tried to turn back my ex-girlfriend last year at Gatwick, but she isn't even a performer. Offically a tourist. I normally fly into Manchester, and just try to look human.

Surprised you had trouble at the Vancouver/Seattle crossing however. I've wandered through there many times in the past, when I even figgured I should have been refused entry. Once when they asked me where I was going said "south" and when they asked again I said "that way" and just pointed! Of course I hadn't slept the night before, and probally shouldn't even have been driving. They let me through! The customs officers even started to giggle when I'd gone down on previous trips, seems they remembered me. Couple of times they decided to search the van, so I showed them where all the hiding spots were. They didn't bother when I had my dog with me.

Anyhow, if your worried try shipping your gear seperate and being a tourist. Some of the uk locals should be able to help out more with the local pitches.

Stickman

[worldwidese]

Definitely a letter fom the sponsor would help. Makes it look much more "official" Have fun!

[AJJames]

If you have proof of funds to support yourself or a credit card , you can't go wrong, the name and adress of some one you can stay with is quite useful.do you know any one in the north of england? you do now Hi, i'm aj , let me know if you haven't got a name and adress to give immigration and you could use mine.

[nick nickolas]

Send on your instruments, borrow some, say they are for a friend..

Whatever you don't hide them up your arse 'cos belive you me they'll find them...

[Godfrey Daniels]

Thanks for your replies folks...

bringing 8 people. tickets bought. to gatwick.
not shipping gear. getting letter from sponsor.
looking pretty. have money and place to stay.
any more tips on possible hassles welcome.

thanks,

dan
vancouver