Mini aliens landed at the Aldeli on Sunday, 11th November, and created quite a stir.
They were not here to take over the village or steal resident's underpants, as they do in my children's story books, but to take part in a music video.
'Go Tell the Eskimo', an up and coming four piece indie pop band, came all the way from London to use Aldeli as a backdrop for their music video prior to going on tour.
The former car showroom was chosen for its resemblance to a flying saucer, which they considered perfect for an alien invasion.
Around 40 local children volunteered to help with the project by dressing up as aliens. The production team provided glittery costumes and spacemen's helmets which the 'aliens' were able to take home as a memento.
After the shooting the band, who have just released their debut EP Smoke Signals, treated everyone to food and drink as a token of their gratitude.
However, the noise from the recording of the video caused problems for local residents and resulted in a number of complaints.
Speaking at Monday's Parish Council meeting, Cllr Mary Maczkowiak said "After a very busy day I started getting phone calls from about 7.15 from very angry, concerned residents on Lynton Lane. They were absolutely stewing, they couldn't hear their televisions, they couldn't hear because of the noise that was coming from Aldeli so I said to them phone the police.
"They were obviously in breach of their licence to have outside music. They phoned the police, the police weren't interested, told the residents to phone environmental health.
"We've got a situation here and I've checked the licence, they are definitely in breach of the licence because I went down and videoed it on my phone. There was loud music, there was a loud speaker, there were children shouting, there was smoke, there was noise and drinks being served outside. They were in breach of their licence."
Cllr Joseph Bergin added "I went past as well, there was a rock band and pyrotechnics and clouds of smoke going across London Road - very strange."
Cllr Frank Keegan said "Licensing have it now registered as a complaint and licensing enforcement will be out there discussing it in the next few days. I have been in touch with them today."
He added "Also planning enforcement are coming out in the next few days to discuss what happened."
Stephen Higham told alderleyedge.com "We're sorry if we caused a disturbance. We did not understand that we were in breach of our licence, if so we apologise to the relevant authorities.
"We were contacted by the band who had seen details of our building in the press. We did not receive any fees from the band and they were collecting for a cancer charity. The band played parts of only one track which in its entirety was not longer than 3 minutes. The band played in the front car park facing the A34 which was furthest away from residences on Lynton Lane.
"In total the length of time the music played was approximately one hour. Music stopped at just after 8.00pm. They needed to film in the dark to highlight the 'flying saucer' effect of the round building lit from below. Approximately 40 local children took part and had a fantastic time. Was there really any harm done?"
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
I live close by and I wasn't bothered by this at al. I've also witnessed much more noise pollution from 'Private' house parties in Alderley over the years, which always go unchalleneged.
It was nice to see something interesting happening in Alderley for once, good on you Aldeli for doing something different and quit moaning everyone else, you can watch Strictly come dancing or Take me out on catch up.
All I see is a number of people expressing their personal opinion - you do believe in freedom of speech don't you Frank?
Do I personally think coming down on Aldeli with planning/licensing conditions for what was quite obviously a one off extraordinary event is ridiculous?
Yes I do, especially considering it would appear many local children enjoyed it and it was finished just after 8pm.
For the record I have never had a stall at the farmers market.
What has that go to do with this issue? You've lost me.
I haven't got a stall at the market and I am not a farmer.
It is possible for someone to be supportive without having a vested interest.
Whilst I wasn't personally affected by the event at Aldeli, like everyone else I have been subjected to fireworks over an extended period and which continued much, much later into the evening and which I consider to be far more disruptive and problematic than this one-off event.
And no, I have nothing to do with the Farmers' Market other than being an occasional customer...
P.S. Having just read the 'May Fair' discussion at Monday's Parish Council
meeting, lets hope that any future visiting aliens will take some of the
councillors back with them !!
And as for residents ringing the environmental health............goodness me I hope no-one did. It was an hour of noise and it was all over at 8pm. Hardly a reason to ring them.
During our planning process, we clearly overlooked the proximity of, and impact on, the local residents and memorial activities in the region. For this we are deeply sorry.
There is a silver lining here as the goal of this event was to raise money for Cancer Research UK (a cause that has personally effected members of our band, and volentary crew, within the last year). That effort will continue to develop as fan donations pour in to watch this video come to life.
We appreciate all the amazing families and friends we've met in the process. Our experience of Alderley has been wonderful and we hope the community can pull together to settle any differences in an amicable and respectful way. With any luck, we can return balance to a little part of the world we've come to love.
Much Respect, Appreciation and Sincerity,
We're not all party poopers and what you did looked like a load of fun and for a most noteworthy cause .
I suppose a gig in the park at the May Fair would be too far out of the parish council's comfort zone :-)
best of luck for the future
Normal trading then resumed, actually lots of people came from the war memorial.
During the evening, I was driving past Aldeli when the Aliens had landed and everyone was having loads of fun and didn't seem to me to be causing much trouble.
Maybe Mr. Keegan would be better sorting the 22 cars and vans parked on the pavement of Macclesfield Road yesterday causing it to be a one way street, or the complete breach of planning regulations by shop keepers on London Road as regards disabled access.
I was not at the parish council meeting last week, but it does strike me that Mr Keegan's comments are not really to do with the farmers market.
Thank you so much Christine for organising the Farmer's market, coming each month with my Guide Dog puppies has not only raised a lot of money, but been excellent training for them. Keep up the great work with the market and May Fair. Mr Keegan and his fellow councillors (and elderly neighbours) would do well to follow your public spirit.
Both Stephen Higham for Al-deli and Robb Harvey for "Go Tell The Eskimos" have apologised for doing something interesting in Alderley Edge.
Perhaps the councillor might again reflect upon the circumstances and provide a more appropriate response.
Frank, hopefully you have learnt from this thread that if you haven't got anything nice to say then don't say anything at all!
Lets celebrate our community and not use this forum as a means on constant whining!!
It's great to see so many people supporting you Robb.
I am told that the C.E. licensing people subsequently turned up at AlDeli and after a friendly conversation accepted that no licensing rules had been broken.
Enjoy the xmas 'lights on' evening; congrats to the Traders for organising it!
If you read the report above you may find that your PC chums will be able to provide more information on the number of complainants. Mary's phone was ringing off the hook with "stewing" residents of Lynton Lane unable to hear X-Factor (or whatever.)
She says that there were definitely breaches of licensing regulations - she has evidence on her mobile phone.
This in contradiction to what the CE Licensing bods found after their friendly chat.
I demand an enquiry! (only joking)
What a lovely message from you and for a worthy cause too, come back again. The kids had a really good time and it was only for an hour Whats wrong with a bit of fun. Lets keep a bit of perspective.
Oh well,