For fourteen years the Farmer’s Boy has hosted live music. For the past ten years this has included having live music performances in our garden. Following each of the pandemic lockdowns we have hosted music in our garden every Saturday between 2:30pm and 5:15pm i.e. at the least intrusive time to the residents in proximity to the pub. Our events are extensively organised and managed in order to keep noise levels to a minimum so as not to cause any undue disturbance. Despite this, on the basis of a single serial complainant (so we believe), SADC has issued a Noise Abatement Notice on the Farmer’s Boy. This puts the pub in jeopardy. The live music we host is a cornerstone of our business, without which we wouldn’t survive. Therefore cancelling our events is not an option. Moving the events inside, especially at a time of peak covid infections, is unsafe. Additionally, many patrons would not wish to attend because of this. If we continue with the events outside then if at anytime, in the opinion of a council official, noise is being created then under the powers of the notice a punitive fine can be issued. Such a fine would mean the end of our business.

Thank you for taking time to read this and we urge you to sign the petition demanding that SADC immediately rescind the Noise Abatement Notice on the Farmer’s Boy.