Organ grinder and his toy monkey 'banned' from busking due to health and safety reasons

An organ grinder and his monkey were banned from the streets on health and safety grounds. Paddy Cooke, 64, from Matlock in Derbyshire, and his stuffed toy Simon cannot perform until they complete a risk assessment.

Ripley Town Council in Derbyshire decided to cancel the act who were due to perform in the town centre during the summer holidays. The decision was made by licensing bosses at Amber Valley Borough Council.

Paddy, of Crich, near Matlock, Derbys, wears Victorian costume as he walks around playing his organ, a copy of an instrument used more than 150 years ago. The former fireman has been grinding organs for 15 years



He said: 'It's not as if I have a live monkey which might jump at people. Mine is a battery-operated interactive toy and the best I have ever had. He says things like "I want a banana" and even once offered to tell me the sum of pi squared. Simon is sometimes quiet and sometimes chatty. He's very realistic but is no danger to anyone.'

Paddy, whose two sons are also organ grinders, was hired as part of the summer entertainment provided by the town council and has £10m public liability insurance cover. He is also a member of the actors' union, Equity. But before his act hit the streets the authority received orders from Amber Valley Borough Council which demanded to see a general risk assessment before letting street acts go ahead.

It wanted to study a list of hazards and know how they could be made safe, and even how many people might watch the shows. It is hoped that a risk assessment can be completed within the next seven days then sent to the borough council for approval.