Townies at large

This week, we reported on a farmer outside Enfield, who was brought to court by Enfield Council for not restraining a cockerel from crowing, despite a series of noise abatement orders issued on behalf of his neighbour.

Similarly, in a Somerset village, a former town dweller complained to his council about the tapping noise made by a woodpecker. This has to stop. Urban types, including Londoners, thinking of swapping city life for the rural idyll should bear in mind that the racket of agriculture and nature is part of the charm. Those who can't handle the crowing of cockerels and other unregulated animal noises might, perhaps, be better off in town.