Noise Action Week 2009

Amelia wins the 2009 Noise Action Week Film Competition

Amelia wins first prize!

Amelia Taverna, who is studying Media at Longsands College in St Neots, was the winner of the £150 prize for her excellent film advert, 'Three Wise Neighbours'. Her video can be seen on YouTube via the link to the right of this text.

Her advert was one of fifteen entries that were received by the Environmental Protection Team and were judged by a panel of four. Amelia's advert can been seen by clicking on the link to the right of this text. The runner up was Lottie Judge who submitted an clever and funny animated film and third place was awarded to a joint entry from Oliver Bill and Sophie Searle.

Amelia is pictured above having received her cheque from Cllr John Davies, Huntingdonshire District Council's Chairman, along with (left to right): St Neots Deputy Mayor, Cllr Alan Cummings, Mayor - Cllr Gordon Thorpe, Sue Merry - Environmental Protection Support Officer, Rachel Allison - Amelia's teacher, Amelia, Lisa Plowman - Head of Specialist and International Education at Longsands College, Lottie Judge - runner up, Cllr John Davies and Dave Bass - Environmental Protection Officer.

Following the success of the last two years the Environmental Protection Team, along with the Community Safety Team and Luminus Neighbourhood Wardens, went out with their Noise Action Week Roadshow. They went to: St Ives, Yaxley, Huntingdon and St Neots where they were on-hand to offer simple solutions to neighbour noise and to give advice on how to deal with noise complaints, as well as how to deal with the stress of coping with noise issues. There were also give-aways and two competitions: Guess the number of stress-balls in the bag - there were 308 and the nearest guess was 310 by J Williams of Ramsey. 'Guess that Tune' - actual recordings of neighbour noise nuisance - was won by G Donnelly from Godmanchester

The Team welcomed the support of Cllr John Davies, the Chairman of Huntingdonshire District Council, who attended each Roadshow. Cllr Davies said "It was a pleasure to support you all this week, and I enjoyed my stay with you. It is always a benefit for Huntingdonshire District Council to go out and meet the public."

Over the last six years the Environmental Protection Team, at Huntingdonshire District Council, have promoted the national Noise Action Week campaign. Competitions have taken place each year and the Team visited many schools with their presentations on ‘Noise’, how sound travels, how to reduce noise and how hearing can be damaged by noise, as well as promoting considerate behaviour especially where neighbour noise is concerned. At all of the schools the Team was astounded by the students’ knowledge on the subject. In 2006 the Team won the ‘Highly Commended’ John Connell award, presented by the Noise Abatement Society, for their work in schools.

Amelia Taverna is presented with her cheque and certificate with runner up, Lottie Judge.

More about Noise Action Week

National Noise Action Week gives everyone involved in managing noise problems an opportunity to focus attention on the difficulties excessive noise can cause whether at home, at work, studying or in leisure time. Noise affects everyone’s quality of life and Noise Action Week aims to encourage us all to consider the noise we make, the noise that bothers us and to try to find practical and easy ways to reduce noise. This national week also provides an opportunity to inform noise sufferers of the services available to help them.

Further information can be seen at the Environmental Protection UK website, the co-ordinators of this national week (link to the right of this text).

If you would like any further information about Huntingdonshire District Council’s Noise Action Week Campaign please look at the links to previous years (to the left of this text) or contact Sue Merry, Environmental Protection Support Officer, Environmental and Community Health Services: