THEY’RE dancing in the street again in a south Warwickshire village.
Tysoe residents had been enjoying daily driveway dancing sessions during lockdown.
That was until a neighbour complained to Stratford District Council about the noise levels.
Ian, a part time DJ who lives in Middleston Close, had been hosting the 11am sessions. He wired up his speaker and played a song for everyone to dance along to. It proved a huge hit with residents, who joined him at the end of their driveways to dance to classics like ‘I Want to Break Free’ and ‘Dancing in the Street’.
Yesterday villagers joined him in fancy dress for a social distanced version of Peter Kay’s iconic ‘Show Me the Way to Amarillo’ that has been viewed thousands of times online.
But following the noise complaint, Ian received a letter from the council.
Ian decided he should halt his sessions fearing he could be prosecuted and announced the news on Tysoe Village Noticeboard’s Facebook page.
He was bombarded with over 200 messages of support on social media within a couple of hours pleading with him to continue.
And following support from Tysoe Parish Council, Ian decdided the street party would continue, including a special birthday tribute to one resident.
Ian said: “I was outraged to receive this letter after just one complaint by an unknown resident also receiving a personal hate letter posted from obviously the same person.
“I have been doing this everyday since we were put on lockdown and losing my job due to the coronavirus outbreak. Keeping the young and old residents motivated, uplifted and protecting mental health whilst sticking to strict social distance guidelines.
“They last between three and ten minutes each day depending on which song is chosen and also announce birthdays etc each day.”
A council spokesperson told the Observer: “Stratford District Council received a noise nuisance complaint regarding the playing of loud music daily from an address in Tysoe. Normal procedures were followed, whereby the district council wrote to the resident advising them of the complaint and asking them to take steps to resolve without further involvement from the council.
“The expectation was that they would moderate what they were doing in consideration for the neighbours; especially during the current lockdown with more people at home, who could be working or poorly.
“The district council has not specifically or directly demanded that the music be stopped. The recipient was also invited to contact the council if they wish to discuss the issue further or receive advice.”
