GRUMPY locals have demanded that Union Jack bunting be removed from their town centre after moaning that it was too NOISY.
Killjoy residents in Sheerness, on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, complained after the decorations were put up along the High Street to mark the Queen’s 70 year reign.
Those living above the shops complained that the plastic bunting created a huge racket when they flapped in the wind.
Town council chairman Matt Bromley admitted the decorations which had been hanging across the High Street and Broadway had been taken down after complaints from neighbours.
He 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.
READ MORE JUBILEE
“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.
“It’s been a learning curve. We will be going back to material next time.”
Plans for celebrations around the towns newly restored 120 year old clock tower have also been shelved – adding to residents misery.
It had just been unveiled after undergoing a £160k facelift, with engineers working round the clock to ensure it would be up and running for the jubilee.
The Grade-II listed clock was first unveiled on June 26, 1902, to mark the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.
But the council has moved the celebrations to a free picnic with entertainment in nearby Beachfields Park by the sandpit on the seafront Sunday, June 5.
Cllr Bromley added: “The concrete around the clock would have been too hard to have sat on.”
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.
The council has ordered five special flags, four of which will fly on Sheppey: one at Minster Leas, one on the Sheerness Gateway council building and one on Sheerness seafront.
The final two will flu at Queenborough Park and at Swale House in Sittingbourne.
A spokeswoman for the council said: “We know from experience that the best way to support celebrations is to help fund community-led events.
‘LEARNING CURVE’
“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.
“We offered all groups the opportunity to have their event publicised on the Visit Swale website and some have taken us up on the offer.
“Some smaller events with limited capacity have not advertised so their numbers can be managed.”
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 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.
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Sheppey Miniature Engineering Society will be celebrating in style over the four-day weekend with special rides on its model railway track from noon to 4pm.
Leysdown Boot Fair is promising a special jubilee edition on Friday with “added attractions” and Leysdown parish council is planning an event on the village green.
