Last updated 17:35, Thursday, 21 August 2008

SHAME, shame, shame on the grey people who have got no life and who want to impose their monochrome world upon the rest of us.NEIL HEMMINGS,Hencotes,Hexham

As if it were not bad enough to banish the colourful and whimsical A-boards which used to brighten up the roads into Hexham, now we have a prohibition on the market traders shouting their wares (Courant, August 15).

I really, really cannot comprehend the mentality of those who proscribe their traditional, everyday business. The market is a treasure: visiting friends envy our good fortune.

However, since noise pollution seems to be an issue for the council, may I make three requests?

Firstly, there is a little yappy dog which yap, yap, yaps incessantly for an hour every morning and afternoon whilst being exercised outside my house – please get the mutt muffled.

Secondly, every Sunday the sound of people “enjoying” themselves playing football at the far end of the Sele drifts up and disturbs my peaceful gardening activities; I can even hear some people shouting, for goodness’ sake!

And most annoyingly, there are some bells in the Abbey which ring really loudly every quarter hour! I can tell you, trying to sleep at three in the morning with that racket going on is no joke. And to make matters worse, there are some folk who seem to think it’s enjoyable to play tunes on these blasted bells for over three solid hours some evenings! How inconsiderate is that?

I hope that the jobsworths in the council will take my complaints on board and efficiently silence these unnecessary aural intrusions. Let’s make Hexham really grey!