The Council are looking to ban all amplified busking within the immediate vicinity of Bath Abbey, following the halting of an evensong service on Sunday.
The evensong service was halted at around 3.30pm on Sunday afternoon during a bible reading, when amplified music could be heard throughout the abbey.
The service, with close to 200 people in attendance, was stopped due to the interruption and it’s not the first time such an incident has happened says rector Rev Edward Mason.
He said: “Digital technology and lightweight amplifiers mean that the area round the Abbey can be bombarded with the sound of amplified musicians accompanied by a backing track at concert volume.
“We have had funerals and weddings disrupted and endless choir practices and services spoilt. At times it is impossible to work.
“The stress level resulting from this bombardment of repeated repertoire is intolerable. People have resorted to bringing in earplugs.
“Over the last couple of years, as the amplifiers have appeared, the volume has increased and we are now at crisis point.
“The majority of buskers are horrified at those who seem determined to push the boundaries, rightly concerned that this selfish behaviour is likely to have a detrimental effect on them all in the end.”
The Abbey have a ‘traffic light’ sign system which is used to warn buskers when a service is taking place, though it appears this is not being respected by buskers.
The Council are seeking to use new powers provided by the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and will be looking to ban all amplification within the immediate vicinity of the Abbey.
Thank you to everyone (incl some buskers!) for your support and RTs. Please pray for us as we continue to try to resolve this issue @NOWBath
— Bath Abbey (@bathabbey) September 22, 2014
