h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Isn't it funny that you can go through life for months with not much happening, and then lots of things happen together at the same time?

I will be finishing up in work in two weeks time, (nothing to walk into as yet), and in the meantime my wife has become embroiled in a court case with our local hotel. She is a light sleeper, and for over a year we had to deal with a constant "BOOM BOOM BOOM" from the night club until the wee hours every weekend. Last Christmas was particularly bad. The hotel is in the middle of a residential area, and we were not the only people complaining. Anyway, another group of residents took the case to court. My wife was a witness and was called to give her version of events. She did a good job, and the outcome was that we helped to win the case. No late music from the hotel until they did something about it - period.

We thought it was over. It wasn't. First of all, the local rumour mill went into action, and we began to hear back that the poor nightclub had to close because of the actions of vindictive narrow-minded local residents. Then we began to hear that the councillors were walking the streets of the town telling the people how bad we were and that *something would have to be done*. Then my wife's name appeared in the local newspaper, complete with our full home address. Then an appeal was lodged, and yesterday we found out that the hotel was trying to isolate us as the only complainers within our park - effectively trying to prove that we are cranks.

Needless to say, my wife is not taking this well. It's not easy, given that I am losing my job, her work environment at the moment is cr*p, and we have too little kids to look after, and not much support from anyone in the local community.

The principle of the thing has been forgotten too. I have no problem whatsoever with night-clubs, and I spent many nights in them years ago pretending I was the next Michael Jackson and trying (usually unsuccessfully) to meet a like-minded soul of the opposite sex. In my opinion, the music inside can be as loud as the owners can get away with. The problem is, that music escaping into the local environment is about as useful as a fart in a spacesuit; and in a residential area it is particularly annoying. People inside a night-club have a right to enjoy themselves, but equally, people outside that nightclub have a right to a quiet, uninterruped sleep.

I just hope that common sense prevails here. At this moment in time, it doesn't seem like it.

Woodpigeon

That sounds terrible, Woodpigeon - especially the bit about your address being publicised in the local paper. What about the people who actually took the case? Have they been getting the same treatment?

I would really see red when it comes to the local councillors - with all the lipservice they pay to serving the local community they should realise that it's the noise that's the problem, not you. Is it cynical to think that brown envelopes may be involved?

Azara

I can't really offer any advice, Woodpigeon, other than to give you the name of a good solicitor, but you certainly have my sympathy.

Thanks guys

The case was settled out of court yesterday, so they have their dance licence back, but with conditions regarding the noise levels. So its pretty good for everybody concerned I suppose. They get to keep the night club, we get some sleep at weekends. But, it has given me a real insight into small-town politics, and the lengths that people will go to in order to maintain the status-quo.

I met one of my "neighbours" last night who indicated relatively un-subtlely that our cards were marked, and that powerful local interests had their noses seriously out of joint about this whole affair. We'll be keeping a low profile over the coming months, as time is always the best healer in situations like this. Bloody awful stuff though.

If I am not talking to you before I sign off, have a very peaceful Christmas to you both.

Thanks again,

Woodpigeon