Single complaint may silence historic clock

David O'Leary • Published 18 Feb 2010 16:46 3 Comments

INNERLEITHEN'S historic clock could be silenced for the first time in 46 years - after just one noise complaint over its chimes.

The threat comes after a mystery local resident complained to Scottish Borders Council that the hourly peals from the Memorial Hall clock were keeping them awake at night.

If there is no opposition to quieting the troublesome tolling then a silencing mechanism could be fitted which will operate between midnight and 7am.

However, Innerleithen Community Council wishes to gain the opinion of town residents before backing any measure to silence the chimes - which first sounded in 1964 after being donated to the town by William Muir.

Innerleithen Community Council chairman Ross McGinn said: "To be honest I lived within a couple of hundred yards of the clock for over 10 years and was never troubled by it.

"However I do have some sympathy with the resident who complained if it's causing them sleepless nights.

"The clock is a key feature in the town for many years so we'd like to canvass people's views and opinions on the matter first."

The matter has all the hallmarks of a similar decision that was taken two years ago in Galashiels.

The peel tower clock which was built to honour the local men who died in World War I was silenced after complaints of its night-time ringing.

However the decision was eventually reversed following a swarm of protests.

Ross McGinn said: "I don't envisage that happening in Innerleithen as ours isn't a War Memorial clock.

"What we should be wary of though is the tail wagging the dog; just one complaint about the clock isn't much whereas hundreds can complain about a pothole and have nothing done."

Anyone wishing to make their views known can do so at the next meeting of Innerleithen Community Council. This will be held on Monday March 1 at 7.15pm in the Memorial Hall.

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 19 Jul 10

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• 

  MrConspiracy
  Unregistered User
  Feb 19, 10:41
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  Sigh...... An easier way of dealing with complaints like this would be to ask a simple question... Did the resident move into their house before or after the clock had been built? If before, then I could understand someone being a little annoyed, however if after, then they knew the bell sounded, and therefore WHY DID THEY BUY A HOUSE THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE IF THAT WAS A PROBLEM!!!!!!!! Tail wags dog indeed! Does that mean if I can hear the parish church bells from my house I can ask for them to be silenced?!
  
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• 

  Hazelkaye
  Unregistered User
  Feb 22, 20:26
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  GET A LIFE NIMBY! BONG! BONG! BONG! BONG! BONG!
  
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• 

  Norrie Johnstone
  Unregistered User
  Feb 28, 21:31
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  Innerleithen's Memorial Hall Clock
  
  
  
  In response to the front page news in the Peeblesshire News on 19th February 2010, "For whom the bells toll?" you have to question "What or who was there first? Or was the complainer blind or deaf when he bought his/her/their house? As the article states, "The clock is a key feature of the town" and is part of the history of the town.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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