Levi Roots offers support to embattled steel band (From Croydon Guardian)

Levi Roots offers support to embattled steel band

4:02pm Tuesday 29th July 2008

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Reggae Reggae Sauce man Levi Roots paid the Comets Steel Band a surprise visit last night to show his support for the project.

The Comets have been locked in an ongoing battle with residents for a number of years after the council said it received numerous complaints about the noise level.

“It was such a boost for us to be recognised by someone like Levi, especially at the moment when we seem to be besieged from all sides by the council.”

Gina Sheridan

The chef and musician treated his delighted audience to an impromptu guitar performance and praised the band which he said helped get children off the streets.

Gina Sheridan, the group’s co-ordinator, said: “It was such a boost for us to be recognised by someone like Levi, especially at the moment when we seem to be besieged from all sides by the council.”

The community group, which runs classes for children aged seven to 18, are hoping to enter Britain’s Got Talent next year.

Croydon Council is stuck in the middle of a battle between a handful of local residents and the steel band.

A total of 27 complaints from five residents have been logged with the council since June 2004.

A noise pollution inspection was carried out by the council on February 4, 2008. But it concluded the noise made by the band would not be considered a statutory nuisance based on the readings taken.

When the band was playing the sound level rose by five decibels to 46.5dB outside the closest property and 37.2dB from the bedroom window of the nearest house.

World Health Organisation guidelines say that levels would have to be at 50dB to incur moderate annoyance.

The report did note the readings were taken in winter when windows would be closed and that complaints increased in the summer when people were outside in their gardens.

Residents Jacqueline and Bryn Ward are spearheading the campaign against the Comets.

Mrs Ward, 55, wrote a letter to the council saying that last summer residents were “at breaking point because of the excessive noise”.

However a doorstep poll carried out by the Croydon Guardian on the four houses closest to the pavilion showed residents have mixed views about the band.

Louise Havers and Stacy Williams, both 35, live in the same building and said although they could hear the music, it had never bothered them.

Miss Williams said: “I really like it. I often sit out in the garden and enjoy the music.”

Their neighbour Sarah Going said she moved into her flat more than a month ago. She said: “I have never heard them and I sit out on my balcony every night. None of our neighbours have mentioned a nuisance to us either.”

But Alan King, 55, lives closest to the pavilion and complained to the council.

He said: “I can hear the music if I am out in my garden or at the back end of my house.

“I did once go and speak to them when they continued to play past the licensed time. They were very approachable.

”I think the best thing would be for the council to relocate the band away from any residences.”

He said he was concerned about an anonymous letter he received encouraging residents to complain about the band.

He said: “I might have supported it if there was a name. If you are going to write something, have the courage to put your name on it. I have no respect for people who do this.”

The Comets said they had not been approached by the council to discuss or view alternate locations for the band.

Mrs Sheridan said the group was reluctant to leave the building, especially as they had spent £25,000 on improvements.

The pavilion was derelict when they first obtained a licence to play there.

A council spokesman said: “The situation with the Comets is incredibly frustrating.

“Here is an organisation providing useful diversionary activities for young people and making a significant cultural contribution to the life of the borough.

“Unfortunately, though, their success has escalated into difficulties with local people who, understandably don’t share the wide enthusiasm for the band when their peace and quiet is disturbed.”

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