Originally published in Premier Christian News
A vicar has asked if his own church’s clock chimes can be turned off at night because they’re keeping him awake.
According to the North Wales’ Daily Post, Rev David Parry has written to Conwy Town Council saying chimes from the 19th century clock at St Mary’s church may also be disturbing other residents, businesses and tourists.
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In response, the town council — which maintains the clock — hand-delivered a questionnaire to 400 residents and businesses asking for their views about the clock chiming every 15 minutes from 12.15am to 6.15am.
The questionnaire asked if the clock chimes were “annoying and unnecessary” or were part of the town’s character.
It also asked if they affected local businesses.
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Parry said he was pleased the council had decided to canvass opinion.
He said: “If it was me in charge of the clock I would have switched the chimes off overnight, as they aren’t necessary and do cause a disturbance to my family as we live very close by.
“I’m also concerned as Conwy relies so much on tourism that if tourists can’t sleep at night, they will not come back to the town.”
However, Conwy resident Audrey Barker told the Daily Post: “The questionnaire is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever seen.
“I don’t know anyone in the neighbourhood, living within the town walls or anyone that I know of, who is in favour of silencing the chimes during night-time hours.”
The Conwy Town clerk, Natasha Flint, revealed 200 questionnaires have been returned, and she believes more than 95% of people are in favour of keeping the chimes as they are.
The Vicar can sleep with earplugs or sound proof his house if he is so disturbed by the sound
Some people have much better hearing and they are very sensitive to noise. What may be normal for most people, may be highly irritating or disturbing for others as far as noise is concerned. I know somebody like that. So the poor vicar probably suffers from this. To sleep with earplugs is not a good solution if you want to be able to hear intruders and to soundproof a house could be very costly. We all differ.