Organisers of this year’s Dirty Weekend festival, which took place near Dodleston in Chester on the weekend, have responded to noise complaints from nearby villagers.
Pumpkin Records, who are behind the event, said decibel levels were ‘strictly monitored’ at the three-day punk music festival at Chester Lakes camping site from September 4-6.
Dirty Weekend, a celebration of punk, ska and folk music, has been running for a more than a decade across different locations.
But some of those in nearby Pulford and Rossett had complained about a lack of warning and noise keeping them up throughout the weekend.
Paul Carter, from Pulford, said despite being a couple of miles from the festival he had never experienced anything like it.
He said: “We just felt angry and vulnerable, nobody in the village was aware it was taking place beforehand.
“A lot of us have had our double glazing closed and the sound was still bouncing around the walls.
“It wasn’t just the fact it was extremely loud, it was relentless over the weekend.”
Donations of £2,000 were raised at the event and will go to causes such as Feed Bristol and Chester Aid for the Homeless.
A Pumpkin Records statement said: “Sound was strictly monitored all weekend by on-site security and the event organisers.
“At no point did it cross the legal decibel limit, furthermore live music finished well within the times stipulated on the temporary events notice.
“We are saddened to have been subjected to a barrage of unwarranted complaints about the sound by a group of people and this was not the representative of the views of all locals.
“We also hope that this matter is quickly resolved, as we never wished to upset anyone.”
They also said they had taken noise recordings from locations where the complaints originated from which showed little noise from the festival.
Guests were told about the Chester Lakes site only a few days before, with it sold as a ‘secret location near Chester’. Pumpkin Records said this was due to increasing demand and to avoid guests randomly turning up.
The festival was subject to a temporary events notice, and their licence at Chester Lakes allowed music to go on to as late as 2am.
Cheshire Police were called down to the event, but confirmed it was a matter for Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC).
A police spokeswoman said: “A number of calls were received about noise coming from an event being held in Dodleston over the weekend.
“Officers did attend the venue to ensure there were no major concerns.”
A CWAC spokeswoman said: “We have received the complaints and are currently investigating them.”
Organisers of the ‘100% DIY punk festival’ said overall the weekend had been a success.
Organiser Matt Martin said: “In terms of the festival it was one of the best we’ve ever had and we’ve been running more than 10 years.
“It was a great family event for all ages and the local community were very friendly.”
What do you make of the organisers response? Do you live in the area? Did you attend the event? Let us know in the comments below
