Brassed-off neighbours threaten legal action over noisy open-air rehearsals of scout band

Police were called to one of the 1st Donisthorpe Scout Band's open-air practices after one resident allegedly shoved a musician in a confrontation over the sound level.

Locals in the Leicestershire village have warned members of the marching band, which uses mainly brass instruments, that legal action could follow if they don't quieten down.

Scout band director Carrie-Anne Kirby said villagers should cherish the group as part of the community's heritage.

One neighbour has repeatedly interrupted rehearsals to accuse the band's 20 members of drowning out the sound of his television.

The scouts have assembled on the field near to their hut every Tuesday and Thursday  throughout the summer for 30 years to hone their playing and marching skills in the former pit community in Donisthorpe, Leicestershire.

But some locals are less than impressed with the open-air rehearsals, which can last for up to 90 minutes.

Today, band co-director Carrie-Anne Kirby claimed the complainers should cherish the group as part of the community's heritage.

Residents who agreed that the show must go on warned scrapping the band could lead to more youths roaming the streets with nothing to do.  

Miss Kirby said: 'People should be behind them - they should be proud, But three or four have been coming to the practices and shouting the odds.

'In May I contacted the police because one of the people got aggressive and pushed a band member. The Scouts shouldn't have to see that.

'When it happened the youngest member, an eight-year-old, was so upset she cried. One man said he can't watch his TV, but why not turn it up?'

Members of the Donisthorpe Scout Band who have been threatened with legal action by residents who claim their open air practice sessions are too noisy

The band, which will play at the Alrewas Carnival in Staffordshire on Saturday, practices outside from 7.30pm in warm weather and is required to finish by 9pm as part of an agreement with the parish council.

Miss Kirby, who has been in charge of the group with fellow director Gareth Toon for four years, said the music often lasted only half an hour.

She added: 'A few weeks ago one man said he was going to put in an injunction against us, but I haven't heard anything more about it since.'

Scout leader Michael Popejoy added: 'We don't want to upset anyone at the end of the day, we are there to try and provide a service for the community and something for the youngsters of today.

'I think we are doing that, we are keeping them off the street and so we make better citizens of them.'

The band play a selection of film and musical scores. Most, but not all members are still drawn from the scout movement.

Neighbours living near the scout hut in the centre of the village refused to comment on the row yesterday.

But a spokesman for North West Leicestershire District Council confirmed the first steps towards investigating the band had been taken.

He said: 'We have received a complaint about noise nuisance and, as with all such complaints, have issued logbooks to the complainants.

'They can record the frequency and timing of any nuisance, and we will then be able to decide what action - if any - will be necessary.'

Other villagers condemned the 'pettiness' of the complaints, claiming any initiative that gave children something to do should be welcomed.

One said: 'Do these people want kids to be doing something useful with their time or would they prefer them hanging around on the streets?

'The band gives the children involved a real sense of pride. Maybe the people who are moaning about it would rather be surrounded by yobs.'

Jane Warner, whose son and daughter are both members, added: 'It's a minority of people who are just making a nuisance of themselves.

'They upset the young ones. I know the music isn't to everyone's taste, but one man said he would rather have a brick thrown through his window.'

The band practice outdoor until October, weather permitting, but then move into the scout hut for the winter.