Trowbridge club appeals music ban (From Wiltshire Times)

Trowbridge club appeals music ban

9:00am Saturday 23rd March 2013 in Latest News By Craig Jones

Trowbridge Cricket Club hopes to hit its critics for six by winning an appeal against a ban on holding music events in its pavilion.

In January, Wiltshire Council’s western area licensing sub-committee removed the club’s right to host live and recorded amplified music events, following a complaint by Tracy Gates, of Downhayes Road, that noise from functions was too loud.

The club, in Lower Court, appealed the decision and, on Tuesday, an initial hearing took place at North West Wiltshire Magistrates’ Court, Chippenham.

Colin Poplett, the vice-president of the club, said: “I think, when all the evidence is heard, we have a very good chance of retaining our licence.

“It has also been very heartening to have received so much support since this story came to light and we are grateful for the backing we’ve had from our neighbours, other individuals and the coverage in the press.”

In a club survey of 50 homes, there were no complaints about noise from live music events, which are run two Saturdays a month, until 11pm.

Since appealing, the cricket club has continued to hold music events.

The appeal is expected to take place at the court in about seven weeks.

Councillor Graham Payne, of the Trowbridge Town and Wiltshire Councils, said: “I think they should be cut a little bit of slack, to help events raising much-needed funds to keep them open.”