Winchester Cathedral is inviting local buskers to perform at this year’s Christmas market.
It follows the recent incidents of two Winchester buskers being ordered to move by cathedral staff.
Both were resolved by the cathedral, but now they are inviting buskers to perform as part of the city’s Christmas Market.
A spokesperson from the cathedral said: “Following on from recent conversations, it has highlighted the variety of local talent within the city.
“The cathedral would like to invite Winchester city centre buskers to come and busk in selected slots at this year’s Christmas Market to entertain festive visitors.
“The cathedral has also invited local choirs and performers, singing or playing a variety of musical styles with members of any age, to come and entertain festive visitors at this year’s Christmas Market.”
The Christmas Market runs from November 19 to December 22, with performance slots available during the weekends.
Both buskers involved previously have said they will take the cathedral up on this offer and perform at the market.
Marvin Naylor was involved with the first incident where a clergyman told him to move from his usual busking spot on The Square.
Marvin said: “I made a complaint about a certain member of the clergy who was very rude and intimidating to me in The Square a couple of months ago and there was quite a bit of publicity around it, resulting in a meeting I had with the Dean and one of the things she mentioned was getting me to play at the Christmas Market. Anyway, I said I would be interested.”
Rick Tarrant, who was told to move from his spot on The Square by a security guard more recently, said: “Yes, I have declared my interest in busking on the cathedral site over the Christmas period.
“I was recently contacted by the cathedral regarding busking during the Christmas Market. It’s a nice gesture and also enables the cathedral to have some control of busking within their grounds.”
The cathedral is encouraging any buskers who are interested in a performing slot to get in touch with them by contacting: choirs@winchester-cathedral.org.uk.
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