Annual visitor gives other side of the coin
“I have to vent.
Your editorial suggesting that we should “lump it if we don’t like it” and use ear plugs because The Ruins and Billy’s Beach are so important to the local economy is glib and unacceptably flippant. I have just spoken to the police who also informed me that they are fielding numerous calls from irate residents (it is now well after midnight as I write this). No one can convince me that the volume of the music (actually I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt when I use the word music to describe the filthy language which is being used by the DJ and in the “songs” he has played) is necessary. The DJ obviously has a seriously limited vocabulary…
It is not possible to sleep, ear plugs or not, and I doubt that those attending the function need to be blasted into oblivion by the volume of what is being played to them.
I am not an old grouch, just someone who comes down here year after year to enjoy some rest and recovery after another tough year. I don’t come here to be deprived of sleep for a week or more. This kind of function will, if allowed to continue in this way, negatively affect the local economy because other people like me will stop coming here over the festive season. I am sure that anyone who has rented a house within 1 or 2km of The Ruins will be looking to move out in the morning and demand a refund of their rentals. There have been functions at Billy’s and The Ruins/ Workshop most years, but never have they offended the residents to the degree as what is happening tonight. The Ruins used to be far away from the residential area and for good reason. Why was the licence granted without inviting comments from affected parties that allows the organisers to ruin the peace of our town?”
Yours sincerely
Hedley Pougnet
St Francis Today does agree that there should be a cut-off time when music should cease for there are no doubt by-laws that are possibly being ignored. As for the bad language – sadly it seems the more foul mouth some can be the more in vogue they thing=k they are.
Why not start earlier and finish earlier say midnight – as a compromise. Many concerts aound the world are successfully held in daylight so if you are coming to be intoxicated by the music and not the liquor, it should make no difference really.
I couldn’t agree more with Hedley. I too did not sleep last night. I understand that this time of the year there will be a higher level of noise and previous years, happily accepted the inconvenience and noise levels. Billy’s beach uses a local resident near the canals to determine whether the noise is a nuisance. When I contacted the organisers, their response is “we have consent with a certain db level” which law enforcement said was “8db”. They further stated that they were below the level and police were at the event with db meters. Whoever gave the consent at Council level did not take residents into consideration or understand db levels. The Ruins is creating a noise nuisance which in law is illegal at any time of day. So it is not at about when they start or finish it is about the db levels. The bylaws also work on db levels and it is a false assumption that it is about cut off times. Law enforcement merely defers to the approval given, ignoring the complaints of residents. Again, to agree with Hedley, the swearing is unacceptable. Comment from organisers? It is not within their control. Billy’s Beach sounds like an angel vs The Ruins.
#theruinsruiningholiday
We agree totally with the above comments. We own Oasis Lodge B&B, soooo close to the “Ruins”. For years we fought to have a stop put to these parties. On many occasions guests left early and demanded refunds as the could not enjoy a peaceful nights sleep. This year we were offered a rental for the whole lodge by a family from Cape Town who were here two years ago and enjoyed it so much they came back! They arrived late yesterday afternoon, exhausted and looked forward to a good nights rest. This morning early I received a phone call, and in their words: “The noise was insane! Billy’s Beach is OK, but this is unacceptable!” Should they leave who will refund us??? Will they be back? Not in a million Years!!
After a tight and difficult financial year we looked forward to this reservation. There is no ways Rentals will be back after this experience, get real ” Organizers”. You obviously are not in the Hospitality Business where clients interests come before your own.
I have to sleep with windows closed to reduce the noise from the Ruins- and this is in Reservoir Rd. Heaven help the poor folk who live any closer. The suggestion that this should be a day and early evening event is excellent.Retract their licence if they continue to exceed legal Db levels.