Opinion:: Don’t let noise complaints shut down local festivals (especially AlexFest)

Browsing  facebook recently, I stumbled upon a Cambridge News article entitled ‘Charity fundraiser AlexFest in Cambridge could be scrapped over noise complaints’ (Read more). Instantly, I was struck by the ridiculousness of this and, without sounding overly dramatic, the injustice of it. It seemed mad that a festival, whose main purpose has been to raise money for a genuinely good cause (for Arthur Rank Hospice), should be facing a prospective shut down due to noise complaints from neighbours that were apparently made aware of the festival and whose well-being was fully kept in mind by the festival’s organisers. Now, I’ve never been to AlexFest myself, though have been aware of it and known of Cambridge 105’s support for it. I’ve also been to the Alexandra Arms, where it is held, a fair few times and enjoyed its pleasant atmosphere. I’ve also myself been the recipient of a noise complaint, which I considered to be unfair. So overall, my sympathies were always going to be with AlexFest in this instance.

This got me thinking that I should consider the other side, that of the residents apparently disturbed by the festival’s noise. Like anyone, I would be irritated by persistent loud music that prevented me from sleep and carried on well past a reasonable time, especially if I had work/an early start the next morning. I might even be moved to make a formal complaint about this. However, this would by no means be my first reaction. If anything, it would be a last resort, if noise had continued gratuitously and those making it had been completely unreasonable about it. My first reaction would be to simply go round and ask them politely if they could be quieter and not continue past an unreasonable time. I know this may seem unusual in today’s world, but despite not being the most outgoing of people, and a bit awkward when talking to strangers, I would still feel compelled to discuss such a concern before making a formal complaint.

Either way, the thing about AlexFest is that, according to Cambridge News, the organisers were being fully mindful of resident’s concerns. Not only had they spoken to neighbours beforehand about potential noise, but they had also ensured that volume was not exceeded unreasonably and all acts were made to stop playing by ten thirty in the evening. Moreover, it seems that the event was attended widely by the local community, with people of varying ages enjoying the festival and the live acts on offer. It is well worth mentioning, also, that the event raised £1000 for Mill Road’s Arthur Rank Hospice, something for which the hospice itself has apparently been grateful, having stated that it hopes the festival can continue. If this isn’t serving the community then I don’t know what is.

Why, then, did local residents feel compelled to make formal complaints? Clearly, they felt that they simply couldn’t bring themselves to speak to the organisers on the night about their apparent discomfort, or felt that the event was being unreasonable overall in playing live music at all on a residential street. It seems to me that such a reaction is a symptom of modern British society in which a sense of community is sorely lacking, the great irony of this being that AlexFest’s aim had also been to foster a sense of community in the first place. My plea to the council, and anyone else involved in the decision about AlexFest’s continuation, is therefore simple. Do not close down a local community event that does far, far more good than harm.

I know this may sound melodramatic and preachy, but from my perspective, and the perspective of many others who wish to support live music and local causes, it is hugely important that events such as these are not completely shut down for the sake of a few noise complaints. I know we’re reserved and British, but that doesn’t mean we have to forsake all sense of community, especially when the arts and fundraising for local charity are concerned.

Sam Booker