A Disgusting and Disgraceful night at The Ruins
We published this morning’s news totally oblivious to what had transpired at The Ruins last night and it was only when going into town and hearing what had happened that we became aware of why reader Hedley Pougnet was so unhappy. Being based in Cape St Francis we were spared the trauma and certainly for some, that is exactly what it was, a traumatic experience. We certainly do not blame Hedley for considering us glib and flippant but in our defence our comments were based on years gone by where Billy’s Beach certainly has been largely respectful and an asset to the village over the Christmas period.
Some interesting points on the music which the organisers claim was below 80db but was in fact measured at over 110db which is what rock concert music normally produces. Here are definitions of sound
80db – Garbage disposal, dishwasher, average factory, freight train (at 15 meters). Car wash at 20 ft (89 dB); propeller plane flyover at 1000 ft (88 dB); diesel truck 40 mph at 50 ft (84 dB); diesel train at 45 mph at 100 ft (83 dB). Food blender (88 dB); milling machine (85 dB); garbage disposal (80 dB). 2 times as loud as 70 dB. Possible damage in 8 hour exposure
110db – Steel mill, auto horn at 1 meter. Turbo-fan aircraft at takeoff power at 200 ft (118 dB). Riveting machine (110 dB); live rock music (108 – 114 dB). – Average human pain threshold. 16 times as loud as 70 dB.
So the organiser’s claims that they were inside the permitted noise level is a blatant lie for they certainly knew better. Before the event they were approached to turn their sound equipment around so as not to face directly onto the canals but the ignored this request. Certainly it would have dampened the sound somewhat but at the end of it all they would still have been operating outside the agreed upon limits.
But the noise aside! Was the continuous swearing necessary? One resident we spoke with commented that it sounded as there was a fight going on with the combatants every second word being the F-word . How pleasant it must have been for parents and grandparents with 5 to12 year old children to explain what the word meant for it could not be avoided as it seemingly filled almost very lounge, dining room kitchen and bedroom of almost every house on the canals. This type of language is uncalled for and quite honestly it questions the intelligence of those who organised the event to even consider employing such a low life band if it can indeed be called a band. Please don’t let them come back to St Francis!.
Billy’s Beach has been around for some time and we hope there are no more arguments with DEDEAT for they care and are committed to the St Francis community. Each year they donate significantly to charities that in the past have included Animal Rescue and Hospice.
It would seem the decision to allow The Ruins was made by a municipal delegation and not by St Francis Property Owners who also had no input on the staging layout. We had the following comment from SFPO “Historically the SFPO have been part of the Kouga Municipality’s Event Committee, but this year we were not invited to participate in the process. We did however point out that the positioning of the stage and loud speakers would cause major problems as they are facing directly toward the canal area instead of facing the R330”.
Their statement continued “We have discussed this with our Councillor and written to him and he is taking this matter up urgently with the Mayor and Municipal Manager. The regulations clearly state that they have the power to close an event down if they transgress in any way from the laid down procedures that need to be followed.
That the organisers of The Ruins were utterly disrespectful of the community and one would hope they have learnt a lesson which we hear they have for those who add value to St Francis will always be welcome. Those who don’t, find somewhere else to spread your filth.
What is done is done. Hopefully lessons will be learn’t and the voices of the residents of St Francis Bay will be taken more seriously.
After all, St Francis Bay is for all and should be enjoyed for all. Maybe in the future the council or whoever responsible will listen to those in the know..
Happy new year to all.
Thanks for addressing this issue.I built my house on the Short Canal in St. Francis during the 1980’s and
have been coming here
ever since.I welcome the entertainment for youngsters at the (old) Ruins and Billys Beach but this was disgraceful and totally unacceptable.
Screaming and shouting profanities at sound levels that ear plugs couldn’t even keep out ! No please , this must never be allowed to happen in our town again .
Last night was worse than the previous night, last night, at times I could FEEL the base notes, till almost 2 am – we are 3 Km down OB Road !. If I lived in the village/canals I might be plotting ways to sabotage it. Not a reasonable compromise so the Ruins event deserves to be shut down. Much talk of the economic benefits for SFB but could this be killing the goose that lays the golden egg.
Funny – The Ruins was closed on the 28th! So not sure what base you were feeling? The Ruins also closed their doors every night at 1am LASTEST. I know as I worked at the bars there
The sound was so loud that we could not sleep in Paradise Beach!
Living in St. Francis Dr., between Billy’s, The Ruins, Legends and Cobs Cove, the noise carries on till daybreak. The music from Billy’s and The Ruins don’t affect us too much, however, the race track passing us is horrific. Another accident waiting to happen. Then we have the screaming, fighting and the filthy language We get a lot more than the f-word. Worst of all, there are also young girls in the mix.
I concur with Lynn Strydom’s comments. I once again request the installation of traffic calming measures in St Francis Drive even if only during the festive season.
Shut the Ruins down please Ms Mayor and Mr Councilor. They have no respect for residents, most of whom have invested millions of Rands into the greater St Francis economy. That they are allowed to behave in such an untterly pathetic manner, as essentially guests in our village, all with complete disregard for most residents and long time visitors, is beyond comprehension. Get lost Ruins!
Clinton Hempel
Organisers are actually land owners in St Francis Bay so your comment is quite irrelevant! Maybe you should disappear for a few days? As the council and all AUTHORITIES had nothing negative to say about the event! St Francis Bay seems like it is turning into an old age village – I wouldn’t be surprised if The Ruins pulls the plug this year and then what? No youngsters visiting and supporting the community in December? SHAME
The Ruins contravened all the terms of the licence, the profanity alone was enough to bring a charge against them. They totally disregarded any request for some moderation. We could not even hear our television at normal sound levels, in Mahe Beat, when they were playing. Further we were able to hear every single word spoken over the loudspeakers and the dogs were whimpering with discomfort:ear plugs and sleeping pills were of no help when it came to try to sleep. I have heard, but not confirmed, that they have a 5 year contract with the land owner and service providers going forward. It is essential that the Municipality not grant them their licence ever again. We should all write letters to the Mayor in this regard. The municipality had every right to shut them down this year and didn’t. This small village does not need this sort of entertainment when we have Billy’s Beach which have really tried to comply with the terms of their licence after many early complaints.