In my defence, I've been seriously busy lately what with Naked Knitting Calendars, playing with a Morris Team (Yes, I know they're all women. The musicians are mixed.) and part-organising a Naked Bike Ride. Really this entry is just a wave to keep me on the radar, but there is a question I'd like to ask. It's near the end of this piece.
WNBR
This year I became one of the organisers for Manchester's leg of the World Naked Bike Ride. It's been quite hard work but definitely worth it. Everyone volunteered their time for nothing, the atmosphere was ace, Caz the body painter kept her clothes on (boo!) but was still a total star, and all was wondrous.
There were mistakes I'd made (like the ride being a bit too long) and things we should have done but didn't get around to - but on the whole it was a resounding success.
Or it would have been but for police interference.
Manchester Evening News readers will know all about this already, but for anyone who doesn't here's the general gist.
In April Becca, one of the other organisers, informed local police of our intention to ride and what it was all about. Two days before the ride on Friday they rang her back and gave full approval. Woohoo! Fantastic! Unfortunately they neglected to inform their officers on the ground.
When we got to St. Anne's Square there was some poor bemused copper who hadn't the vaguest idea what was going on. When we got to Portland Street, however, things were a little different.
Two guys in a van flagged us down and insisted we dress (which, hilariously, wasn't possible for some!) and then a third turned up in another van. Portland Street is busy at the best of times - they blocked it for 20 minutes!
So why were we stopped?
Well, the second reason they gave us was that we'd agreed to cover up in the city centre. Where they got this bullshit from I've no idea, but I'm going to find out!
The first reason was that there had been complaints.
I found out later there had been one complaint, from someone who was "appalled" because a bunch of roughneck Rusholme kids had decided to follow us.
Here's That Question
We live in a democracy. Stop laughing! We live - officially at least - in something roughly resembling a democracy. It's better than a lot of places, anyway. My "Question To Ponder" then is this:
How, in a democracy, can one person be able to disrupt, destroy or prevent an event approved and enjoyed by, literally, thousands?
Meanwhile, there are loads of pictures on Flickr: have a look here, here and here!
And below is one of my favourites courtesy of SamScam. WARNING: The picture contains naked people having a harmless good time. If you find that offensive, don't bloody look at it!
Love, freedom and bicycles,
Seán
