MAIL Online: For 130 years they have been part of Christmas, filling the air in towns across the land with music and carols.
But one thing is missing from the repertoire of Salvation Army bands this year - the percussion of rattling tins.
Members have been forbidden to shake their charity tins - even if it's done in time to the music - in case it harasses or intimidates people. One said she had been told it might also offend other religions.
Guidelines for branches organising public collections say tinholders should simply keep the tin still.
It means that when the brass bands start up they can rock and roll all they want - but if they shake and rattle, it could put them in conflict with the law.
Councils and police can enforce the no-rattle rule and have powers to prosecute or ban offenders. The restriction was branded 'bonkers' yesterday both by donors and longserving Salvation Army volunteers.
One collector told the Daily Mail: 'I've been doing this for more than 40 years and I fail to see how rattling a tin could cause offence. If I was shaking a tambourine I could do it all day - if I shake my tin, I could end up in court.' >>> By Paul Harris | December 15, 2008
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