Ding-dong over 'nuisance noise' sees Kendal Town Hall bells silenced at night

1:00pm Thursday 9th August 2012 in News Photograph of the Author Exclusive By Steven Bell, Senior Reporter

Rainbow Tavern landlady Carol Page Rainbow Tavern landlady Carol Page

KENDAL’S town hall bells are to be silenced after 11pm for the first time since the Second World War.

The late-night chimes, which ring out every 15 minutes - have taken their toll on business owners, residents and visitors for decades with scores of complaints registered with South Lakeland District Council.

Until now, environmental health officers have ruled sound levels to be ‘appropriate’.

But the council is to ring the changes following a 24-hour noise monitoring exercise at the nearby Rainbow Tavern pub.

It recorded ‘unacceptable’ sound levels categorised as ‘statutory noise nuisance’ under the Environmental Protection Act.

The chimes are now to fall silent between 11pm and 7am.

But not everyone is happy, with claims that Kendal’s charm and history is being ‘eroded’.

Rainbow Tavern landladies Carol Page and Sharon Clement said the bells disrupted their sleep, drove guests mad and risked ‘crippling’ their business.

“We get so many complaints from guests,” said Miss Page, 51, who took over the pub with Mrs Clement, 55, in May.

“If someone complains on Trip Advisor it could cripple us. The noise was looked at several years ago but wasn’t recorded.”

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Guidance from the World Health Organisation states that noise levels should not exceed 45 decibels, but the loudest Rainbow Tavern recording measured 79.

Miss Page said the business was losing money from four empty rooms she felt ‘too embarrassed’ to let out.

And she said 95 per cent of guests had commented on the bells, with one disgruntled customer even posting a video recording on YouTube.

She added: “I’m having a shocking time sleeping. I’m in the attic and the sound bounces around the room. When guests come down, we’re embarrassed to serve them coffee.”

Patricia Hovey, of Kendal Civic Society, said: “So, for 120 years we’ve all been subjected to unacceptable noise?

“I think it’s ridiculous – certain noises are unacceptable but this isn’t one of them, it is part of the town’s charm and history.

“I don’t see why they should be turned off, it should be for local people to decide.”

Mrs Hovey said people new to the town should be prepared to ‘accept what is already here’.

“If the carillon was playing at night, that could be very disturbing but it’s just the chimes,” she said.

“If you move next to a pig farm, you wouldn’t complain about the smell.”

Miss Page said: “One or two people have argued that the bells have been around for a long time, but so was slavery.

“It’s a beautiful sound and we respect tradition, but I don’t understand who benefits at night.”

In the 1980s, a council leisure and tourism committee found support for and against retaining the bells at night, but decided not to silence them.

The midnight and 3am carillon was last silenced in the 1940s after protests from residents of the then Angel Hotel.

Mayor of Kendal Coun John Willshaw said he was sad to see the night-time bells go but accepted that evidence showed they were ‘louder than they should be’.

He added: “I am disappointed, but the bells have been ringing for years so I can understand the issue is now being raised.”

Historian Trevor Hughes said Kendal was losing part of its heritage.

“It’s the thin edge of a great big wedge and another erosion of our historical character,” said Mr Hughes.

“We have been losing the yards for years. I’m not happy about it – but at least we will still have them during the day.”

An SLDC spokeswoman said: “Investigations discovered the noise emitted by the bells during the night was significantly higher than acceptable levels quoted in both national and international guidelines.

“The noise is regular, every 15 minutes, and most intrusive on the hour, where the chimes are extended, and when the 6am carillon sounds.

“To ensure this is addressed to meet acceptable levels, it has been decided that the bells will be turned off during the hours from 11pm to 7am.”

Comments(46)

lakesailor says...
1:43pm Thu 9 Aug 12

Local people appear to have decided. Does Mrs Hovey live close to the bells?

I cannot understand the concept that because things used to happen they still should.

No doubt people used to use the streets as open sewers at some time in the past. Should that be a goal for us to aim for?

People have digital alarm clocks and can tell for themselves what time it is. They don't need bells banging away all night.

Join the 21st Century

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Kendmoor says...
2:03pm Thu 9 Aug 12

I agree whole heartedly with lakesailer!

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tictoc1 says...
3:05pm Thu 9 Aug 12

I disagree with the above comments. Why should something long standing change, because "off comers" don't like it (and I'm talking about the guests before you make comment about that). You wouldn't go to London and ask that Big Ben stops because the chimes are unacceptable.

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Whinfell says...
3:06pm Thu 9 Aug 12

What's the point of them ringing in the middle of the night?
Who is going to be standing in the middle of Kendal at 3 o'clock in the morning and appreciating them?
Agree with silencing them.

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Spies says...
4:04pm Thu 9 Aug 12

I liked the bit where she compared the ringing bells to slavery.

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myssesmagoo says...
4:16pm Thu 9 Aug 12

From experience, the reason why trade is down in the Rainbow may be more due to the service than the bells - don't blame it on the chimes!!!

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Spies says...
4:27pm Thu 9 Aug 12

The Bells! The Bells!

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Utter says...
4:50pm Thu 9 Aug 12

HAS TO BE QUOTE OF THE YEAR - Miss Page said: “One or two people have argued that the bells have been around for a long time, but so was slavery.

I think she needs to stop drinking the profits!

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trixabel says...
5:51pm Thu 9 Aug 12

Im shocked the council even considered turning the bells off,let alone doing it.

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LK2010 says...
6:23pm Thu 9 Aug 12

''off comers'' - what a stupid and derogatory term for tourists, you know those people who visit our area and spend money in the shops, are the reason for the tourist trade that creates jobs, attractions etc etc..

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I know nothing says...
6:32pm Thu 9 Aug 12

What possible harm does it do, switching them off through the night?

This has been an ongoing saga for decades.

Or would you rather see another empty pub?

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Derelic-UK says...
7:00pm Thu 9 Aug 12

'Or would you rather see another empty pub?'

Well, the Rainbow is such a dire place, it wouldn't be a shame to lose it! To be honest, I don't think she was holding the 4 rooms back, I just think she couldn't fill them, probably something to do with the drunken idiots shouting at 3am (waiting to find out the time). I don't see the noise wardens silencing Friday & Saturday night noise pollution! No, because that would affect Carol Page's business, can't complain about that now can we!!

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I know nothing says...
7:15pm Thu 9 Aug 12

I have not been in the Rainbow for over twenty five years so I have no idea what it's like inside.

At 3am in the morning I'm tucked up in bed fast asleep. Why aren't the drunks locked up, they used to be when I was younger.

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zaney5 says...
8:20pm Thu 9 Aug 12

Carol Page just needs to go out and buy some earplugs and get on with it.

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Moonbase says...
8:41pm Thu 9 Aug 12

They Ding Dong in Kirkby Lonsdale,when i used to live there on main street,you just got use to it.
Ringing for all those years.............sp
oilt
by 'MELDREWS'.
I hope this has an effect on your business.
As a past landlord you don't make stupid comments like that in your local community as you will divide local opinion.
This country is about culture..........
Can't wait for the first 'Mosque' in Kendal and have all that wailing at sunrise or whenever......would they stop that........ermmmm No!!!!
Hope it's next door... and the Heart Foundation has a good year and moves to bigger premises.....

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JBean2 says...
9:14pm Thu 9 Aug 12

zaney5 wrote:
Carol Page just needs to go out and buy some earplugs and get on with it.
The article states that SLDC received scores of complaints from residents. Do they all need to go and buy earplugs?
I applaud SLDC for responding to something that residents have complained about.
Who will suffer if the clock is silenced at night? Balanced against those who suffer when it does ring, isn't it a fair decision?
I also despair at the comments on here attacking The Rainbow, the landlady and the visitors who stay there. I don't think I have ever been in there, but I wish anyone well as they try to run a business now. I can't believe why anyone would be so vindictive.
If the WHO sound levels are being exceeded then the clock should be silenced at night. Then perhaps SLDC could do something about the pollution levels on Lowther Street...

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Derelic-UK says...
9:26pm Thu 9 Aug 12

If there were 'scores of complaints' why wasn't something done about it earlier?

All it needs is ONE person to complain and the environmental health will act, if scores of people have complained (and the sound of the chimes have been a constant 79 decibels) then it would have happened months, if not years ago.

This woman buys the hotel in May of this year, probably gets annoyed that she didn't research the location better then makes the complaint several months later.

I would think it was only acted upon by this one complaint, is others were complaining then they were doing it in private.

I now live in Birmingham, If I can sleep through a low hovering police helicopter for half an hour, people can sleep through a quick chime every 15mins, your body gets used to it.

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Lakeuk says...
9:59pm Thu 9 Aug 12

For the majority, playing the bells in the middle of the night serves no purpose, the minority may say it's a tradition but are any traditionalists heading to the town hall in the middle of the night to listen to the bells?

I wonder why after so many complaints that the council only decided to do a decibel test on this last one and it seems the result of the test has forced the councils hand to take action.

Heard the landlady on the radio, she could of done with doing more due diligence, asking the bell question and not probing the vague response clearly wasn't enough to judge that the bells wouldn't be an issue

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Gini says...
10:03pm Thu 9 Aug 12

The same problem exists in many towns; people move next to a church and then are shocked when they hear bells. Didn't the Carol Page hear the bells prior to her purchasing The Rainbow?

I happen to like the sound of bells - at all hours day and night.

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Moonbase says...
10:17pm Thu 9 Aug 12

JBean2 wrote:
zaney5 wrote:
Carol Page just needs to go out and buy some earplugs and get on with it.
The article states that SLDC received scores of complaints from residents. Do they all need to go and buy earplugs?
I applaud SLDC for responding to something that residents have complained about.
Who will suffer if the clock is silenced at night? Balanced against those who suffer when it does ring, isn't it a fair decision?
I also despair at the comments on here attacking The Rainbow, the landlady and the visitors who stay there. I don't think I have ever been in there, but I wish anyone well as they try to run a business now. I can't believe why anyone would be so vindictive.
If the WHO sound levels are being exceeded then the clock should be silenced at night. Then perhaps SLDC could do something about the pollution levels on Lowther Street...
Namby Pambanby.......middl
e of the road comment...lib obviously.....i have and the service is cr*p .
That is the problem,any sain person does not buy a business into a dying trade ......a pub
Thick as Pig ***t
As for the noise police too much time on their hands.......
As for Jean 2 ......get a life.........i can hear church bells ring every sunday morning.............
....If you don't like it MOVE......Simple.
I love my church!!!!!!!!!!!

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Moonbase says...
10:23pm Thu 9 Aug 12

Gini wrote:
The same problem exists in many towns; people move next to a church and then are shocked when they hear bells. Didn't the Carol Page hear the bells prior to her purchasing The Rainbow?

I happen to like the sound of bells - at all hours day and night.
Thick

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I know nothing says...
10:32pm Thu 9 Aug 12

I'm quite suprised that Quasimodo hasn't posted.

You never know who's about at 3.00 in the morning.

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ianrosie says...
10:43pm Thu 9 Aug 12

I live on a main road, I am pretty sure the constant ambient noise level is above that approved by whichever body that would disapprove. You know what - I bought a house on the edge of a main road so I will deal with it!

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I know nothing says...
11:03pm Thu 9 Aug 12

zaney5 wrote:
I know nothing wrote:
I'm quite suprised that Quasimodo hasn't posted.

You never know who's about at 3.00 in the morning.
I thought that was him in the picture.....
Now, now, no need to be bitchy.

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JBean2 says...
11:08pm Thu 9 Aug 12

Moonbase, you make me laugh!
How many times do you need to call people thick?
Don't you like to hear other people's opinions? If not why are you reading this?
If you love your church, why not love your fellow men and women too? And respect their opinions even if you disagree.

Report this post »

wezzyk says...
11:30pm Thu 9 Aug 12

I stayed in a hotel in London recently and the fire engine kept waking me up with its siren blazing all through the night should they be banned and the ambulance siren hurts my ears can i make a complaint.. Now that the old normal standards have been reset. What about those working on nights?? Can they have all those noise makers silenced during the day because it disturbs them? I am sure the bin wagon and its crew exceeds the unacceptable sound levels. And a motorbike passes me at 10ish each morning that must be twice the level of the bells in the town hall, can he be taken off the road or have cotton wool stick in his baffles? Where will it all end?

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hemyfan says...
11:53pm Thu 9 Aug 12

I like the Rainbow. Good luck to the landladies. I hope they ignore the criticism from a bunch of irritated windbags who obviously don't get enough sleep because they are out at 4 in the morning appreciating our rich local heritage.

Report this post »

taigum says...
5:00am Fri 10 Aug 12

i'll be glad to see back of them bells chiming at night!!! many time on a saturday the mrs phones me and i say "yeah im just coming round the corner" only for those dam bells giving the game away!! as for moonbase...well as you resemble quasimodo i suppose you will be sorry to see "THE BELLS" go lol!!! couldnt resist.

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Moonbase says...
7:15am Fri 10 Aug 12

taigum wrote:
i'll be glad to see back of them bells chiming at night!!! many time on a saturday the mrs phones me and i say "yeah im just coming round the corner" only for those dam bells giving the game away!! as for moonbase...well as you resemble quasimodo i suppose you will be sorry to see "THE BELLS" go lol!!! couldnt resist.
Yep your probably right,it's perhaps that i have not found my 'Esmeralda'....I can see an outcry over this.....The WG headline reading 'Campanolgists Ring Out At The Town Hall'!!!!!!
At least the pub has improved,you no longer see that minging dog sat in the window licking his lipstick.
As Brian Clough once said about the changing rooms at chelsea not fit for pigs, on his return they had been referbished, when questioned about them he simply said that they were now fit for pigs.
As for you 'Taigum'.........I'm just waiting for the next Rugby Club debate.......LoL

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Kendmoor says...
9:00am Fri 10 Aug 12

honestly! its being silenced AFTER 11pm, a time when most of the people who are complaining aren't even in town. Getting mad over something that isn't happening whilst you aren't even there - rather silly.

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SpadeCaller says...
9:54am Fri 10 Aug 12

This is hilarious!

My thoughts:

A: What is the point of keeping a tradition that most people don't experience becuase they are asleep?

B: What is the point of ringing the bells at night, when those people who do hear them, only do so because they have been WOKEN by them?

C: I'm all for tradition, but COME ON! It's blatantly common sense to silence them at night. It's a non-issue!! Think of the sleepless nights and businesses that are suffering, rather than a tradition that I bet people who want to "save the bells" don't even hear themselves..!!!! D'oh!!

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boyyddy says...
12:39pm Fri 10 Aug 12

Landlords and Shopkeepers are having a hard time of it at the moment, towns are getting quieter and customers are thin on the ground, we sypathise to the hard working people who are suffering. However to then blame the lac of custom on something so historic in the town of Kendal is perplexing, far from herping their cause they have alienated even more people, and boycotting is widespread of this establishment. Many customers had already gone following their arrival. Even the B&B is a misnomer as they dont get up early enough to provide breakfast. They have the publicity they obviously sought and have lost the limited custom they had because of it.

Report this post »

Gingery says...
2:15pm Fri 10 Aug 12

This story made it onto Radio 2 today where it was the subject of a phone in. Guess that'll be next weeks front page story now.

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Derelic-UK says...
4:03pm Fri 10 Aug 12

was on the daily mail website yesterday (not that I read it)

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Ladyxxmacbeth says...
6:14pm Fri 10 Aug 12

Moonbase wrote:
taigum wrote:
i'll be glad to see back of them bells chiming at night!!! many time on a saturday the mrs phones me and i say "yeah im just coming round the corner" only for those dam bells giving the game away!! as for moonbase...well as you resemble quasimodo i suppose you will be sorry to see "THE BELLS" go lol!!! couldnt resist.
Yep your probably right,it's perhaps that i have not found my 'Esmeralda'....I can see an outcry over this.....The WG headline reading 'Campanolgists Ring Out At The Town Hall'!!!!!!
At least the pub has improved,you no longer see that minging dog sat in the window licking his lipstick.
As Brian Clough once said about the changing rooms at chelsea not fit for pigs, on his return they had been referbished, when questioned about them he simply said that they were now fit for pigs.
As for you 'Taigum'.........I'm just waiting for the next Rugby Club debate.......LoL
I'll be your Esmarelda moonbase!

Report this post »

Hugh Jaynus says...
8:49am Sat 11 Aug 12

The complaint could have been made privately but I'm guessing the landlady heard a couple of other complaints and assumed she would be a people's champion without proper research. She got the publicity now so can only hope her business is inviting enough to attract customers back more than once. I recall Indigo on Highgate having a story here about opening in loads of towns and look whats happened to that. Let's see if the Rainbow is here next year. Hopefully it will be as an open business is better for Kendal than an empty storefront.

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Lakeuk says...
10:09am Sat 11 Aug 12

The owner Indigo did himself no favours in attracting new custom, saying to the gazette “It has to work and if it doesn’t I will be out of Kendal in 12 months.” comes across as not having a plan.

It's not the right area of Kendal for that type of business for the target customer who don't venture south of the town hall. Those premises a suited for a restaurant, which is what it started as some 10+ years ago

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Kentish Man says...
12:37pm Sat 11 Aug 12

Miss Page should have kept quiet at the end of the Rainbow is a piot of gold.

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Moonbase says...
5:29pm Sat 11 Aug 12

JBean2 wrote:
Moonbase, you make me laugh!
How many times do you need to call people thick?
Don't you like to hear other people's opinions? If not why are you reading this?
If you love your church, why not love your fellow men and women too? And respect their opinions even if you disagree.
I'd like to be clerk of works.......and this would not be an issue.
LOL

Report this post »

Moonbase says...
5:35pm Sat 11 Aug 12

Ladyxxmacbeth wrote:
Moonbase wrote:
taigum wrote:
i'll be glad to see back of them bells chiming at night!!! many time on a saturday the mrs phones me and i say "yeah im just coming round the corner" only for those dam bells giving the game away!! as for moonbase...well as you resemble quasimodo i suppose you will be sorry to see "THE BELLS" go lol!!! couldnt resist.
Yep your probably right,it's perhaps that i have not found my 'Esmeralda'....I can see an outcry over this.....The WG headline reading 'Campanolgists Ring Out At The Town Hall'!!!!!!
At least the pub has improved,you no longer see that minging dog sat in the window licking his lipstick.
As Brian Clough once said about the changing rooms at chelsea not fit for pigs, on his return they had been referbished, when questioned about them he simply said that they were now fit for pigs.
As for you 'Taigum'.........I'm just waiting for the next Rugby Club debate.......LoL
I'll be your Esmarelda moonbase!
Thank You, lets take up campanology?
Ohhhhhh I've my Esmarelda......
The Bells......The Bells......

Report this post »

Whippersnapper says...
8:50am Sun 12 Aug 12

You can bet your boots that most of the people protesting about the silencing of the bells don't live within earshot of the bloody things... of the three seemingly random protestors quoted in the Gazette, one lived in Staveley and one was from Essex! I rest my case.

Report this post »

life cycle too says...
10:48am Sun 12 Aug 12

Ladyxxmacbeth wrote:
Moonbase wrote:
taigum wrote:
i'll be glad to see back of them bells chiming at night!!! many time on a saturday the mrs phones me and i say "yeah im just coming round the corner" only for those dam bells giving the game away!! as for moonbase...well as you resemble quasimodo i suppose you will be sorry to see "THE BELLS" go lol!!! couldnt resist.
Yep your probably right,it's perhaps that i have not found my 'Esmeralda'....I can see an outcry over this.....The WG headline reading 'Campanolgists Ring Out At The Town Hall'!!!!!!
At least the pub has improved,you no longer see that minging dog sat in the window licking his lipstick.
As Brian Clough once said about the changing rooms at chelsea not fit for pigs, on his return they had been referbished, when questioned about them he simply said that they were now fit for pigs.
As for you 'Taigum'.........I'm just waiting for the next Rugby Club debate.......LoL
I'll be your Esmarelda moonbase!
Caution LXM... he'll soon give you the hump! :o

Report this post »

Ladyxxmacbeth says...
11:04pm Sun 12 Aug 12

I'm already a campanologist moonbase ..so it must be a date!

Report this post »

snuggle-bunny says...
3:53pm Mon 13 Aug 12

she knew all about the bells when she took over the pub- which she probably wont be for much longer if people decide to do a protest boycott

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snuggle-bunny says...
4:08pm Mon 13 Aug 12

she knew all about the bells when she took over the pub- which she probably wont have for much longer if people decide to do a protest boycott

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Moonbase says...
4:48pm Tue 14 Aug 12

Ladyxxmacbeth wrote:
I'm already a campanologist moonbase ..so it must be a date!
I say..............Din
g Dong.......Lady.

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