An ice cream man in Rhondda has been issued a warning letter by the local council following a noise complaint about the chimes from his van being "excessively loud." The decision has sparked outrage among residents who consider him a beloved community figure.
Complaint and Investigation
Mark Edwards, who has served ice cream in the Rhondda for decades, received the letter from Rhondda Cynon Taf Council. The council cited concerns about "the regular disturbance being caused as a consequence of the chimes" from his vehicle. It is understood that multiple complaints were lodged from an address at Capel Farm in Tonyrefail, an area on Mr Edwards' regular route, where the van reportedly visited almost daily.
The complaint alleged that the ice cream van played excessively loud chimes or music late in the evening. Under the Control of Pollution Act 1974, ice cream vans are permitted to sound their chimes only between noon and 7pm. Trading outside these hours is allowed, but playing music from the vehicle is not.
Community Reaction
After the warning, Mr Edwards said he would stop visiting the housing estate where the complaint originated, causing distress among his "loyal customers." Social media responses reflected the community's dismay, with one person writing, "The kids will be devastated!! There are some sad sad people in the world.. so angry," and another asking, "What has the world come to!"
A petition was launched in support of the ice cream man, describing him as a "cherished figure" and a "pillar" of the Rhondda community. It noted that his jingles brought joy to generations of children and that the complaint was "not reflective of the community's appreciation for his work."
Resolution
After learning how upset the children on the Capel Farm estate were, Mr Edwards agreed with residents to continue visiting but without sounding his chimes. A council spokesperson confirmed the complaint was investigated and found to be true, stating, "We contacted the owner of the vehicle with a standard letter to remind them of the requirements set out in law. The law requires a 7pm cut off to the chimes being used but does not prevent them from trading after this time, and we consider this matter closed."
The spokesperson added, "We completely understand the comments from the community, but we do have a legal duty that compels us to look at all noise complaints under the Control of Pollution Act 1974. The legislation is not written by us, but we are legally bound to enforce it."
