11:32am Wednesday 2nd July 2008
A WEYMOUTH pub has been told to forget holding outdoor events in the future after nearby residents complained about noise at a summer garden party.
Hundreds of guests flocked to the New Inn at Littlemoor for the event, organised to bring people together on the sometimes troubled estate.
The problem-free party - featuring a barbecue and live music - was widely advertised and finished at 6pm.
But several residents complained and now council officers have told the Littlemoor Road pub not to stage similar garden gatherings.
New Inn manager Sophie George said: "We just wanted to do something for the community, given all the problems in Littlemoor.
"But apparently, because of the complaints, if we ask to hold outdoor parties again the answer will be no.
"It's a shame that a handful of people can ruin something that hundreds of others really enjoyed.
"It was absolutely packed and there were no problems. We had so much positive feedback.
"Lots of people we'd never seen before came and there were guests in their 70s right down to little ones."
More than 200 people attended the party and enjoyed tunes from local band the Travelling Blueberries.
Licensing and environmental health officials from Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and West Dorset District Council visited the New Inn days later.
They told Mrs George she would not be allowed to stage similar outdoor events with music.
"Apparently it was too loud," she said. "But we cleared it all beforehand and it was in the afternoon, not the evening.
"They said if we hold another one the band has to play inside, we have to keep doors and windows shut and have security to make sure they're not opened.
"That defeats the object of a garden party. I couldn't believe it."
Barry Newman, 63, of Buddleia Close, who attended the garden party, shared Mrs George's dismay.
He said: "Bah, humbug to the one or two killjoys who've put paid to local people's enjoyment and derailed the New Inn's plans in helping to foster community relations.
"Yes it was noisy but it finished in the early evening. Notices were widely advertised and there was no trouble.
"Littlemoor has come under duress over the years due to social misbehaviour and local people are doing their best to correct this and live in harmony.
"This garden party certainly helped in that aim. I sat in the New Inn garden having a great time and left feeling all was right in the world."
West Dorset District Council environmental health manager Graham Duggan said: "We received four complaints from neighbours of the New Inn about loud music.
"Officers contacted their colleagues at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and together they visited the pub to offer advice.
"We'll be writing to the pub advising against the use of amplified music in the garden in the future."
A spokesperson for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council said: "Although this was a one-off event, the number of complaints indicates that the noise disturbance to local residents was considerable."
Voice Of Reason, Weymouth says...
12:24pm Wed 2 Jul 08
Voice Of Reason, Weymouth says...
12:26pm Wed 2 Jul 08
KT, weymouth says...
12:52pm Wed 2 Jul 08
nige, dorchester says...
1:36pm Wed 2 Jul 08
maximus, Weymouth says...
1:40pm Wed 2 Jul 08
Sidney Hall, Nearby says...
1:54pm Wed 2 Jul 08
Tim Weymouth Boy, Weymouth says...
5:40pm Wed 2 Jul 08
Atalanta, raising a glass to the New Inn says...
5:48pm Wed 2 Jul 08
dan, Dorchester says...
5:50pm Wed 2 Jul 08
DingDonG, Wilds of Wiltshire says...
5:54pm Wed 2 Jul 08
Hundreds of guests flocked to the New Inn at Littlemoor for the event, organised to bring people together on the sometimes troubled estate.GO for it !!!
Voice Of Reason, Weymouth says...
6:08pm Wed 2 Jul 08
Wessex Lass, Dorchester says...
6:10pm Wed 2 Jul 08
Atalanta, says...
6:39pm Wed 2 Jul 08
Voice Of Reason wrote:Historically speaking, the New Inn is actually in Littlemoor, once a hamlet of the parish of Broadwey.
Can everyone stop calling it Littlemoor. It is neither Littlemoor, nor Broadwey. As this area is known locally as both Broadwey and Littlemoor, please refer to it as a blend of both names- ergo "Broad-moor".
DingDonG, Wilds of Wiltshire says...
6:57pm Wed 2 Jul 08
Atalanta, says...
7:24pm Wed 2 Jul 08
DingDonG wrote:Not a lot, except that Voice of Reason had his/her reasoning askew regarding the location.
Posted by: Atalanta on 6:39pm today
To put it in simple terms for you, it is Littlemoor, Broadwey.
So, fair comment, but what has this goedemograghy got to do with the subject...or the price of eggs?
BUILD MORE HOUSES + BYPASS + HOME FOR OLD SWANS + OLYMPIC FLATS !!!
nige, dorchester says...
7:38pm Wed 2 Jul 08
MIG, Poole says...
8:00pm Wed 2 Jul 08
Voice Of Reason wrote:Maybe you are all misreading Voice of Reason, It could be that the comment is intended as humour or maybe there is a suggestion that the area is occupied by the Criminally Insane?
Can everyone stop calling it Littlemoor. It is neither Littlemoor, nor Broadwey. As this area is known locally as both Broadwey and Littlemoor, please refer to it as a blend of both names- ergo "Broad-moor".
Voice Of Reason, Weymouth says...
8:04pm Wed 2 Jul 08
blank, says...
9:00pm Wed 2 Jul 08
Dorset Guy, Bridport says...
9:17pm Wed 2 Jul 08
blank wrote:Yes I know i dont live near by bt do have experence of outdoor music events un urban areas Blank sums it up correctly apply for the relevent licence and have a sound level set and hire sound meter and or ask for visit by licencing officer -everybodys happy - I hope
Acting on noise 'pollution' is one of the responsibilities of W&PBC 'Pollution Control' Unit. Why didn't they do as many other local authorities and attend the function when the noise was reported, ascertain the volume of noise and if need be, ask for its reduction to a more reasonable level? If this event was as popular as suggested and was good for the community surely a measured response that reflected this would have been more appropriate than this draconian ban of all future events. The decision of W&PBC seems to be one of : "If you can't enjoy yourselves sensibly then you will just have to do without". Condescending and will likely as not lead to bad feeling. Perhaps that was the intention.
derek, dorset says...
11:20pm Wed 2 Jul 08
honypot66, Dorset says...
1:02am Thu 3 Jul 08
gardener, Littlemoor says...
11:33am Thu 3 Jul 08
rikrik, weymouth says...
1:00pm Thu 3 Jul 08
RichieT, Weymouth, Dorset, UK says...
3:30pm Thu 3 Jul 08
b.newman, lulworth says...
3:38pm Thu 3 Jul 08
blank, says...
7:33pm Thu 3 Jul 08
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ColinKat, Hereandthere says...
12:23pm Wed 2 Jul 08