14th September 2026 - Monday and Toby goes to the Vet

Thought for the day :"Who ever said, "Out of Sight, Out of Mind," never had a snake disappear in the bedroom."

Wet

So Toby had an early trip to the Vet this morning and was really good on the lead going in.

All finished by 1pm, and  spent the rest of the day sleeping and not really wanting any food or anything.

Tilly was a little confused, but glad to see him back. Difficult keeping her from being too active.. hard but managing.

In other news, decided to stop the Limited Company for the Crimson Moon. It is getting more expensive to keep and more administrative  and harder to comply with - as it turned out, it was very easy as we had never used the company, never  did any accounts or records, and only cost £13 to strike off.

Also fighting City Hall on another field.

Susie had a phone call from the Council today, stating that as we served alcohol - it was classed as food and that we would have to register as a food business. Spent the day looking up the legislation and though I may be wrong, I cannot see how it can be relavent to us.

Had the details - sent the following in response

Thank you for the attached email following your phone call with my wife this morning.

I have examined the documentation and cannot see its relevance for our situation.

We are not a business.

We are a domestic household, Ffynnon Wen, Rhydlewis SA44 5QY, and have developed our gardens into ornamental walkways which on occasion in the summer months we open to the public free of charge in order to raise money for a charity chosen for that particular weekend or day.

As ancillary to the Gardens, we provide refreshment in the form of beer, cider, country wine and meads, and soft drinks, and on occasion some live music entertainment.

We do not provide any food, and have no means of preparation. This was a specific decision as though we have put a makeshift bar in the rear gardens, and small stage area, there are no facilities for food, and as a retired couple we have no wish to be involved in the complexities of food.

We raise funds for a specifically chosen charity when open through a charity pot upon the bar, and proceeds from any sales are calculated and proceeds after costs are donated to the charity of choice. There is no financial gain, and we remain non-profit.

As alcohol is sold, we comply with licensing though purchase of a TEN on each occasion and my wife is a personal licensee and responsible party for licensing laws.

Our situation may best be described as an occasional garden party where funds are raised for charity.

The “Pop Up” tavern is named Crimson Moon in nostalgic memory  of a mobile re-enactment bar that we used to run before retirement, and is decorated accordingly. I understand that this may have implied a business interest which does not exist.

The relevant information sent to me relates to food, food production, health and safety, staff issues etc. which I cannot see applies in these circumstances.

I am happy to discuss further and am happy to receive your guidance, as I have spent the entire day reading the relevant licensing documents from your website, and from the office GOV.UK sites which seem to imply that Food and Alcohol are separate issues, as they have separate licensing restrictions and separate licensing regulations. I believe that we have complied with all the licensing requirements under the Licensing Act, and that the Food regulations do not apply to our situation. 

While I understand that registration is free and automatic, since we have no facilities or intention to provide food, we would be unable to comply with any regulation if registered.

Yours faithfully

Iain Sewell

We shall see what happens 

Still waiting on the Environmental Health regarding commercial waste..

Cheers