We’re furious after the council shut down our charity event because THREE neighbors complained – it’s ridiculous

ANGRY residents have slammed a “stunning” council decision to close a charity event after just three neighbors complained.

The small handful of locals made a fuss about the possible noise from the pub where the fundraiser was taking place, so the local authority all but canceled it.

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Maxine Demetriou, manager of the West Town Inn on Hayling Island, Hampshire, received a letter following protests against a concert that was held there last summer.

Three people moaned at the live band performing at the beer garden as part of the party.

The 58-year-old said she had been warned about volume this year and told to put in place a “noise management plan” – including using a decibel meter to measure music volume.

However, Havant Borough Council said this “didn’t meet requirements” and landlady Maxine was forced to cancel last week’s scheduled gig to raise money for the local community.

Angry neighbors and pub-goers have since brushed aside complaints about ‘Storm in a Teacup’, insisting they have no problem with the ‘noise’.

Captain Barry Swindells, who lives directly across the street, said he has lived there for 25 years and has “had no problems”.

The 91-year-old, a former merchantman, added: “No one over here even mentioned it.

“The next thing they’re going to do is complain about my TV because I have to turn it up loud because I can’t hear well.

“I’m sure it’s just newcomers trying to change everything.

“I have an old banjo upstairs that makes a hell of a racket – that would force her.”

Barry’s neighbor George Wilson, who has called the island his life-long home, described the decision as “stunning”.

“I just can’t believe it,” he said.

“It’s amazing – the neighbors who complained bought a house next to a hardware store and still complain about a bit of music coming out of the pub.

“They even complained about people laughing in the garden.”

The 29-year-old ground worker added: “Why don’t they just have fun and watch the drunk people?”

I just can’t get my head around it.

George Wilson

Debbie Drinkwater, 63, and her mother, Gwyneth White, 84, have been frequenting their local pub for years and “love the music”.

“We come here every week and whenever there’s live music,” said Debbie, a health and social worker.

“It’s really a shame they had to cancel Hi-Fest.”

And Lolly Gresty, 52, a sign painter from Eastleigh, asked: “Why are people moaning for no fucking reason?

“It’s not like the noise just happened one day.

“I like a bit of human noise after being locked in a box during the pandemic.

“Pubs have been hit so hard and we have to support them.

“Is it really the end of the world if there’s a little music?”

‘MAZY’

Hi-Fest was a free music festival held at seven different venues on Hayling Island.

More than 70 artists were to perform, all for the benefit of the local community.

Havant Borough Council said licensed pubs have a duty to control excessive noise to avoid public nuisance.

A spokesman added: “In relation to the West Town Inn, complaints of excessive noise were received last summer.

“Council officials heard the noise themselves while touring the premises around this time.

“It was agreed with those responsible for operating the pub that they would submit a noise protection plan to the municipality.

“Unfortunately, the plan received did not meet the requirements and the Council has therefore requested delivery of the revised version.”

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