The group were performing at the bandstand in Montague Street, Worthing, on Saturday, June 28, to mark the start of the Artists and Makers Festival.

They had been planning on using feather dusters instead of drum sticks to play their instruments after being told in February they could not perform in the town centre because their music was too loud.

But despite the warning, towards the end of their set they "could not resist the urge" and began playing for real, causing three shopkeepers to complaint to the Town Centre Initiative.

Going boom

Janice Mitchell, from Celebration Samba, said: "It was all going well and we were just saying boom when we used the dusters, rather than playing our drums with sticks.

"But towards the end we just couldn't resist any more and broke into song.

"We had a bigger audience than ever and the crowd seemed to love it.

"It was only 10 minutes and we're no louder than other groups who play there with amplifiers so I don't see the problem."

Disappointed

But Sharon Clarke, town centre manager, said the group did not have permission to play and she was "disappointed" in their actions.

She said: "We want to work with people and to allow them to promote themselves but obviously in town centres, there are so many interests and points of view to take into consideration.

"I was disappointed they chose to play as they have made it difficult for themselves to gain permission to play in future.

"The recommended limit for the town centre noise level is 70 decibels and they go way over it.

"Shopkeepers need to be able to hear their customers and if they can't because of a repetitive drum beat, we need to take that into account."

What do you think?

How annoyed have you been by Celebration Samba and other musicians playing in Montague Street?

Does live music enhance your shopping experience?

What entertainment would you like to see in the town centre?

Share your views by commenting in the space below, email the Herald or write in to Readers' Letters, Worthing Herald series, Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing BN11 1NA.


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