I Love The Peace and Tranquility Of a Country Life... But, Tonight... Agggggh!!!
By Darkwing
@Darkwing (21583)
July 18, 2009 3:40pm CST
As most of you will know, I live in a small village in the English countryside, and I enjoy what it has to offer which is why I continue to live here! Tonight though... all peace is shattered! It's 9.10 p.m. and the Pub has put on a Seventies Summer Party, in the garden. The price to even enter the pub, is £10 per ticket, and the entertainment for the evening, is Bjorn Again, Abba cover singers. They are a professional band with all the full acoustics of a stage band.
Ok... I'll forgo my exclusion from the ability to pop to the pub for a quiet drink on a summer's evening; I'll forgo the ability to park anywhere near my home, and I'll forgo the invasion of the still, evening air by the sound of Abba. I'm not averse to letting other people have a bit of fun where they can get it, but tonight, I could scream!I'm not an Abba lover, but their music isn't offensive. If I don't like them, I don't have to pay £10 to go, huh? But, this a a PUBLIC house, and my only local.
Tonight, I'm sitting here at my computer... a few windows open; granted... some three hundred yards or so up from the pub. The pub garden has been screened off so that those who haven't paid admission, can't sneak a quick peek... if we want to, that is! Fair enough again, but the pub has a lockable door between the bar nearest my home, which is the PUBLIC bar, and the other bar and restaurant with access to the garden, where the party is taking place. Why is it that this door can't be locked and regulars in the village admitted to the PUBLIC bar without charge, and for a quiet drink without encroaching on the paid party? Instead, I'm here at home, where I have a right to my peace and quiet, trying to concentrate on writing this discussion and respond to others. "Trying" is the operative word, because all I can hear is Abba music, clapping and cheering, shouting, etc., the result of 300 guests! It's very loud... I don't need any entertainment indoors on top of that, so what is all the screening and pettiness about? I feel Abba is being forced down my throat and invading my personal space right now, and I'm MAD!!!I know this sort of thing goes on in town pubs, but they don't charge admittance and exclude their normal customers. But here, in my little village, a lot of us don't expect not to be given a choice. I've aired my views about this and New Year's Eve a few times now, but they fall upon deaf ears. My village is full of townie Abba fans, parking on pavements, parking in our residents' car park, and all up the pavement and the noise is way above acceptable.
Does this ever happen to you, where you live? Is there anything that annoys you, like your personal space being invaded without your permission, or having to walk right down the street to reach your house because all the parking and pavement are taken up by visitors parking? What's your pet rant? I mean, if I'd wanted to join in everything in the pub, I would have moved into the house opposite which was empty for years before the recent residents moved in. How do they feel, do you think? I'm talking about really excessive noise that I can hear full power 300 yards away, decreasing my ability to even think straight! Is that acceptable to any of you? I'm all for "live and let live", but do you think I'm being unreasonable in this case?
3 people like this
14 responses
@Darkwing (21583)
•
18 Jul 09
Mexican parties with self-made music, or really loud acoustics on record, or CD? There's a difference. I don't mind cultural music on live instruments without the sound aides. I can listen to that, and not have it forcing its way into my quiet, private space. If I want to go out into the garden and listen, I can, but I couldn't hear myself think here, my friend, and it was driving me nuts.
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your contribution. xx
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
18 Jul 09
That's just it, Beauty. They do have one section they can lock off so that the garden area can't be accessed, and in which they can put customers who just want to take that relaxing pint or two during the evening. But consideration wasn't given to them in the light of the landlords making money.
Those Mexican parties are sounding greater by the minute. I would love to hear the music played on personal instruments, which weren't sound exaggerated. I love cultural music of all kinds, but I keep getting loud CDs in my head, like "The Mexicans Dance On Their Hats". lol. That wouldn't appeal to me at all, although I enjoy a good firework display! he he.
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your contribution.
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63594)
• United States
19 Jul 09
I live in the "Live music capital of the world" tho far from the major venues of Austin. Austin has some pretty strict sound ordinances even for the major music events, South By Southwest and Austin City Limits concerts, and lots of venues get in trouble over the noise laws.
the clubs charge a "cover fee" but its been AGES since I've got to a show, I don't even care to go near 6th street, the major street for the music venues, at night, too crowded and noisy. At least this is a few times a thing for you, not nightly as it is for the people that live down in the condos downtown here.
I would say, sit back and try not to get upset, remember, you could be down the street from a major music venue where it goes on every night.
2 people like this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
19 Jul 09
I agree, I COULD be down the street from a major music event every night but I chose not to live in such a place. I did my time in those places, like Brighton, and then, chose to move into a country village which is quiet, and suffers no such noise exept once a year, on village day, when they have an evening barn dance. Even THAT is not a patch on the noise from the event last night. You can hear it... granted, but the noise level is low because it's inside a marquee. This was open air and LOUD; something you wouldn't expect in a sleepy country village, my friend.
Therefore, I feel the landlord is encroaching on our privacy and tranquility... not that we're putting ourselves in the firing line, and it irks me. It also irks me that the villagers are being pushed out of their only pub to make way for revellers from outside towns who are lining the landlord's pocket. The village won't benefit from the event in any way, whatsoever. They can't even go for a drink on a Saturday night because they're locked out of their one, PUBLIC house... their major social centre of the village. It's hardly fair, and then to have the volume so high that we could hear every word loudly from this distance, is diabolical.
Brightest Blessings, and thank you for your contribution, my friend.
1 person likes this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
20 Jul 09
Well, I have not yet
I have to say though I would have enjoyed listening to Abba lol, but it is disgusting that you could not go into your Local without having to pay £10, it is the Regulars that keep the place going, so why can the Pub not show some loyalty to their regular Customers I just don't get it
Do you know it seems that so many things seem to be "out of fashion" like loyalty, appreciation, manners, just everything we where taught
Love you Big warm Hugs xxxxx
@Darkwing (21583)
•
22 Jul 09
Lol... and I suppose you would have gone down there in your satin flares, or shell suit with a band around your hair and joined in! ha ha ha.
I hear ya though, a lot of those qualities in people seem to have disappeared these days. Brightest Blessings, love and hugs. xx
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
18 Jul 09
I do not know if you are overreacting or being unreasonable or not or not. You are sharing your honest feelings. I sometimes have very similar honest feelings. Tomorrow will be better. It is too bad you could not just go on a quick getaway and avoid every bit of this rumble in your small town. I am far enough down from the main part of town that I do not hear things like this so I cannot say that it happens to me. I am more disturbed when cars come down the road shaking with their bass blasting us all, but they go away quickly. I live three doors from a local college fine arts building. There are sometimes very loud bands there, and they used to open the back stage doors for some ventilation during practice. At that time the first house beside that building was an employee of the college and she soon put an end to that.
2 people like this
@gitfiddleplayer (10362)
• United States
19 Jul 09
I don't think you are being unreasonable about it, I think the club owners are taking for granted that a petition for excess of noise has not been filed by the people affected. If I were you I would get with the other land owners and demand that when a shindig like this is going to take place that you are given fair notice and are compensated for it, i.e. free admission, they pay you to have people park in your lot or you can have them towed and that you retain some of the revenue if you choose not to participate in the actions of the pub owner. I wouldn't stand for being shut out and bothered, do something proactive instead of reactive, it goes a lot farther. And of course if the pub owner doesn't want to play fair then drag his butt to court with a class petition not just a singular law suit.
2 people like this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
19 Jul 09
It's not even a nightclub, my friend. It's a small, country pub which holds probably 100 drinkers safely, without fire risk. I know they used the garden area, but that's not too big either, and he crammed 300 people in there, at a cost of £10 a head. As for compensation, it wouldn't worry me whether I got in for free or not because I don't like Abba. It's the whole choice thing. A village pub with village regulars who are the core of the pub's business being locked out from having their normal, Saturday evening drink, is what bugs me... and others. The landlord has the facility to lock off the saloon bar and restaurant area (the largest area of the pub with access to the screened off garden). The small, public bar which is locked off would serve the regulars well if they wished to visit the pub for an hour for their normal pint or two, without the hustle and bustle of the event. But no... a PUBLIC house, is turned private, and villagers excluded, plus they're drowned in the noise of the music, applause, shouting, whistling and cheering that's going on.
I did lead a campaign once to keep our pub open, and succeeded, when the pub was sold to a property developer. We managed to keep it open, but the landlord decided to retire early and live of the proceedings of the lease. That's when all the trouble started, and we haven't had really decent landlords since, but this one takes the biscuit. He needs a town pub, where people don't worry so much about noise... even expect it. I've tried to reason with them several times, but they just can't see it, so I guess you're right. If we can get the majority of villagers on side, then we might be able to put an end to this carry on.
Brightest Blessings my friend and thank you for your contribution.
@Darkwing (21583)
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19 Jul 09
I'm three hundred yards or so away from the pub. It's not like it's on my doorstep, such was the volume of noise, my friend. Also, I've been here much longer than the landlord of the pub, and I don't intend to move away from a place I love to be because of his attitude. I'd rather do what you say and report the incident to the police and the local council. I've lived here for seventeen years, and he's been at the pub for less than two. Of course I'm annoyed, but I don't see why I should move away because he's inconsiderate.
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your contribution.
1 person likes this
@peavey (16936)
• United States
19 Jul 09
I don't think you're being unreasonable at all, but there isn't much you can do about the situation. I would be upset myself. It's fairly quiet in this neighborhood, but there are a couple of houses that college kids rent and they get out of hand with parties and loud music at times. Not as loud as what you're enduring, I'm sure!
Since I live near campus, I hear an occasional football game or rally of some sort, but it's not too bad if I close all the windows!
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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19 Jul 09
Thank you my friend. It was exceptionally loud for me to hear it as though I was playing loud music in my home, three hundred yards away. I'm feeling a lot better today but I fear it might happen more often since that was a success for the landlord, unless we rally together and do something about it. That sort of thing is ok for a biggish town or city, but not here, I feel.
I don't envy you with the college kids either. Some can be quite considerate but some get carried away with it all, and they can get quite loud.
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your contribution.
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
19 Jul 09
That would drive me absolutely nutty!!! I remember nights when things got a little wild in my area (I like downtown in a city of about 400,000 people) and it drove me nuts, but to have that happen out in the country, or not in the middle of a somewhat large city? Geez!! There is no excuse for that. Atleast I knew what I was getting into when I moved here, but you specifically moved out into the country. Noise like that should be confined to the cities.
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
19 Jul 09
You've hit the nail right on the head my friend. In my younger days, I lived over eighteen years in Brighton. The place is full of clubs and nightclubs and buzzing every night, until probably three or four in the morning. Fair dos. You can take it when you're young, and even join in.
As I grew older though, I decided I'd had enough of the "city lights and sounds", and chose to move somewhere quieter... much quieter, in the countryside. There is a population of some 1500 people here, but widely spread as the village stretches some ten to twelve square miles. Ok... I live in the village centre, but there are no shops or late night entertainment, other than the pub. Every night, you hear loud youngsters passing at around 11.45, but in seconds, they've passed and it's no problem. They're just out having a bit of fun, a game of pool or darts, and time with their friends. But this? There were 300 people in the garden and building last night; a tiny pub which holds about a hundred people without fire risk, and a garden about the same size. The event was in the open, no marquee.. nothing, and you can imagine the noise of the music with 300 people shouting over top of it, applauding, joining in and shouting. The whole street was lined both sides with parked cars, and our tenants' car park was full. Added to that, the music, which started at 9.00 p.m. was loud enough for the Albert Hall. Goodness knows how people felt who live closer to the pub. They couldn't even pop in for a drink to calm their nerves because they were locked out!
I've calmed a bit today, but I'm fearful that it will happen more often now he's seen he can make £1,500 profit a throw, without the profit on drinks. It really was a relief when it ended though... I can tell you that much.
Sorry I've ranted off so much to you. I shall be having my say again in the pub, no doubt, and will probably be barred for my trouble. 
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your contribution, my friend.
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your contribution, my friend.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
21 Jul 09
Hello Darkwing. I don't think you are being unreasonable at all my friend. That noise sounds excessive and excluding the regulars is downright insulting...basically, I believe it's YOUR pub. I too live in a small village in the country in Australia - as you know - and the pub is also about 300 yards away, maybe even less and the events are for everyone. If I walk into my back yard I can vaguely hear the music but otherwise life indoors is normal...I can hear myself think. Brightest blessings.
@Darkwing (21583)
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22 Jul 09
Yes, it was excessive, my friend, and I agree that the villagers and regulars do own the pub in a way, because they've fed their money into it for years, through a number of landlords. When it was threatened with closure, I led a campaign to keep it open as a pub. I called a village meeting, put out flyers, called a meeting, and selected a committee of volunteers. We got in local papers, on the radio... everything... maximum coverage, and we won out. Everybody gave it their all, but we kept the pub open. Now, some nine years later, along come the current landlords, and change everything! I'll give him his due where darts is concerned: he supports us tremendously, but Christmas Eve, New Year, and now in the Summer, we're not being treated too fairly at all. If it goes on, maybe it's time to call up that committee again, and to make a stand here?
Brightest Blessings, and thank you for your contribution, my friend.
@maggiesunjuan (554)
• China
21 Jul 09
In China, housing is a big problem to most people because of so large population, so, few people could enjoy a garden except peasants in the countryside, but the garden are used to plant vegetables and fruits for daily life, and if they cant eat them all, they will bring to the market for money. nobody will plant grass in the garden because land price is too high.... mowers can only be seen around the buiding I work, the garden around the local government here...I could imagine how annoying the mowering is because I've heard of it, so loud. I can understand, but I don't really have encountered such a thing that makes me so angry, you see, my parents live in countryside, since I'm still single, I can go back to their house every weekend, there is a seperate room for me, every night I could lie on the bed enjoying the silence that can only be enjoyed in countryside, especially when the moon is round and shines with bright light. I like Nature, and I like music, but I don't think the singer Abba you mentioned is a good one because of his selfish attitude, his chasing for money but disturbing the others. What a shame.
@Darkwing (21583)
•
22 Jul 09
Yes, like you, I don't have a problem with lawn mowers or even chain saws cutting down or lopping trees during the daytime. In fact, it's a part of country life which one accepts as a part of the daily routine during summer.
However, the music started at nine o'clock at night, and they'd been practicing and testing their equipment since a quarter to six. Three hundred people attended which in a tiny pub like that is an astronomical amount. Abba was a four-piece group from Sweden who made it big in the U.K. in 1977, at the Eurovision Song Contest, which was held in nearby Brighton. They made a lot of songs, but then disbanded and the band we had here, Bjorn Again, covers Abba songs. It was our pub landlord who paid for them to come here, making a big profit out of the event, and excluding his regular drinkers. I was indoors, on my computer with just a couple of windows open on a warm evening, and I could hear it very loudly from three hundred yards away. That's when I wrote this discussion.
Brightest Blessings my friend and thank you for your contribution, which I enjoyed reading.
1 person likes this
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
20 Jul 09
Oh my gosh, you poor thing!! That's just horrible! It's bad enough to have the loud music blasting from such a distance away, but what's worse yet is you don't like the band. I just couldn't imagine that..well, yes I could. Maybe you and your friends should sort of refuse to visit the pub for like a week. Is that possible or do they all like Abba? Maybe if he loses some regular business he'll understand where you're coming from, and at LEAST keep the pub open for regulars. That's just nasty on his part. Hey, I got a better idea, you and all your friends pool your money and BUY the pub! Wouldn't that be just too much fun! All kidding aside, it's a shame what he's doing and he should be stopped. Maybe a petition of some sorts would work?
1 person likes this
@kprofgames (3091)
• United States
19 Jul 09
I feel for you and understand. I consider my home my haven and that space is all my own. When I was in college there was a house next door. They had several parties after the bar closed. So here I am sound asleep becuase I have to get up at 6 am to go in for work Saturday morning and I'd be bounced at of bed by loud music and people screaming. I didn't appreciate it and when they'd over spill in to my yard that was enough. They took over the neighbors back yard and mine - was even out sitting on my car. I had enough so had to keep calling the police.
You know it's annoying to have people that are just so rude for one, but then spilling over in to my yard and think they have the right away was just wrong. I did eventually move because one of the last time I had to call the police - again, they were yelling open threats out their windows. Children truely at work, but why chance it ya know.
I don't think you're being unreasonable. It's a business yes, but if they really are customer oriented then they would respect ALL the clients or potential clients they have. Which means THEY need to figure out appropriate parking and still need some amount of noise control.
And if they invade you're personal parking, well then, nail boards are really effective way to take care of that. Just saying 
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
19 Jul 09
Wow... yours sounds like a similar, but more threatening situation, and I feel that you were bullied out of a home you enjoyed living in otherwise. That's totally unfair, to my mind. Why SHOULD we have to move because of a handful of mindless idiots who don't give two hoots about their fellow villagers? It's they who should move, if they're disturbing the peace.
I just feel that if he continues the way he's going, being only supported by locals and regulars on the other nights of the year, then he's going to eventually shoot himself in the foot and lose his core customers, who keep him alive. It's ok making a load of money off one night, but when you have to compensate for electricity, staff and overheads for the rest of the year when the pub is empty, you're not going to survive. His livelihood sits in those customers' pockets, and he should consider them above all else, at all times.
Brightest Blessings my friend and thank you for your contribution.
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
22 Jul 09
Hi there,
The fact is that even the town and city trends have invaded the small country sides. I too prefer a quiet life as Wordsworth , Yeats and Pope did. But ironically those peaceful country life without the bustle of the city is fast losing ground. I strongly feel that this kind of event should not be allowed there. If you wish go to the town and go gaga.
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
22 Jul 09
It's true what you say, but there are still very many small villages where peace can still be found. I started a campaign to keep the pub open some nine years ago... called a village meeting, formed a committee and fought against a property developer who wanted to turn it into a house. We won, but nine years on, we get this tyke of a landlord here who only looks out for number one and two. He's not here for our benefit but his, and I feel he'll shoot himself in the foot anyway if he doesn't listen to his regulars and the villagers. The pub has been our main social centre for a number of years now, since the other one was closed and turned into living accommodation. It's so sad to see this going on, but I popped in last night and besides the landlord, landlady and staff, there were six people only, in the pub, drinking. That's a bit of a sacrifice to make, for one, well-paid evening, don't you think?
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your contribution.
@dreamangel01 (187)
• United States
19 Jul 09
I hate it when I want peace and quite but then some loud unexpected noise happens. I hope your having a better peaceful day today!
1 person likes this
