Catholic priest brands school street party 'offensive' (From Wiltshire Times)

Catholic priest brands school street party 'offensive'

8:00am Friday 4th September 2009 in Bradford By Craig Evry

A scene from last year's street party

A catholic priest is trying to stop a school’s fundraising street party because he says the music is offensive and disruptive to his Saturday prayer meeting.

Father Conrad Lowry, of the St Thomas More Church in Market Street, Bradford on Avon, has objected to St Laurence School Association’s bid for a licence to sell alcohol and play live music at the party in Church Street on September 26.

The association said Father Lowry’s complaints are unfounded and have brought a ‘sour taste’ to the event, which raises money for the school.

The priest has written two letters to Wiltshire Council objecting to the licence, saying he had also received complaints from residents over the music and anti-social behaviour.

The first letter said: “The noise from the music disturbs the people (in the church) making it impossible to pray. I find it very offensive; a lack of thought for others. Apart from the noise and disturbance to those who attend the service... I have a number of sick elderly people in Abbey Mill in Church Street who find the noise from the event unbearable.”

In a second letter he said at a previous event one resident had stones thrown at her window, while young people caused a disturbance in his church’s entrance, causing him “great stress”.

Mick Wood, chairman of the St Laurence School Association, is confident the event, now in its fifth year, would go ahead as planned.

He said: “I think it’s very sad that the Catholic priest raises objections.

“It is a community event and people who worship in the Catholic church come to the street party. We try to be respectful and courteous.

“Last year we asked some of the elderly residents who live in Church Street about the event, and they said they really like the music.”

Last year the street party raised between £7-£8,000 for the school. This year funds will go towards an outdoor learning area and a dance studio.

Iain McEleny, whose son Kieran is in Year 9 at the school, was co-opted onto the school association solely to deal with the street party.

The chef and licencee said music at the party is stopped while the church’s prayer meeting is held.

He added: “He (Father Lowry) has raised a complaint every year because he likes to be heard, and that’s his prerogative.

“We have never had any other complaints to my knowledge. It’s a very well run community event.”

The licence application, which includes details of street marshalls and stewards covering the event, will be heard at the Western Area Licensing Sub-Committee meeting in Bradley Road on Tuesday.

A street closure order for Church Street between 1.30-10pm on September 26 is also awaiting a decision. The street party is due to run from 3.30-8.30pm.