Council pulls down Jubilee bunting after residents complain it's too noisy
A council has removed bunting just one week before the Platinum Jubilee after residents complained it was too noisy.
Sheerness, the main town on the Isle of Sheppey, had put up the decorations along the High Street to mark the Queen's 70 year reign.
But people living above the shops complained of the noise caused by the plastic decorations flapping in the wind.
Now Kent County Council have removed the bunting, which had been hanging across the High Street and Broadway.
Town council chairman Matt Bromley explained: "We wanted something different this year so we went for a plastic material.
"But when the wind blew, it made such a racket residents living above the shops complained.
"Rather than cause a nuisance, we have taken it down and are intending to donate it to the shops so they can use it to decorate their windows."
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He added: "It's been a learning curve. We will be going back to material next time."
Just eight street parties are planned across the entire Island although even those will be muted affairs with Kent County Council ruling they must be held quietly and without music or noise.
But a spokeswoman for the council defended it apparently taking a back seat in the celebrations.
She said: “We know from experience that the best way to support celebrations is to help fund community-led events.
"That is why we provided more than £36,000 to community groups earlier this year to help them put on Jubilee celebrations this weekend.
"This was publicised in the local press to ensure people knew how to apply in good time to organise successful events."
By contrast, Sheppey's other town, Queenborough, has taken the bull by the horns and will be lighting its jubilee beacon at Crundall's Wharf at 9pm next Thursday.
The 'In Bloom' group has asked residents to knit red, white and blue bunting for a bash in the Castle Gardens park on the same day.
The town council, which is selling special souvenir pin badges for £2 made by local firm HandyPrints, is hosting a Platinum Jubilee picnic in Castle Gardens on the Sunday from 2pm with a baton twirling display, song-signing, jubilee bake-off and a dress-like-a-royal competition.
It has also bought two jubilee flags for the flag poles outside the Guildhall.