The bell had rung every hour for 200 years before the complaint (Picture: Google Maps)
The bell of a church that has chimed every hour for more than 200 years has now been silenced after a neighbour complained it was too loud.
One angry resident in Beith, Scotland, said the bell of the parish church was interrupting his sleep, and now the 24-hour ringing has been halted.
However, more than 1,200 residents of the tiny village in North Ayrshire have already signed a petition to have the bell chime through the night again.
North Ayrshire Council said it had asked the Church of Scotland to silence the church bell after receiving a noise complaint.
The issue was said to have been discussed at two different council meetings and advice was sought from the environmental health department before an official complaint was lodged with the council.
The Church of Scotland has since silenced the bells between 11pm to 7am (Picture: Google Maps)
The resident, who had recently moved to the town, contacted session clerk Gordon Isbister because he and his wife were unable to sleep.
Some church elders suggested the couple should ‘put earplugs in’ to muffle the noise, but others felt it was not an unreasonable request, according to the MailOnline.
The complainant said: ‘It hasn’t affected me being able to get to sleep at night.
‘But I think it is a good thing switching them [the chimes] off, even if it is just one person if it helps him get a peaceful night’s sleep.
‘What’s the purpose of them ringing through the night? It’s pointless really.’
But the familiar toll of the church bell – which has been in operation since 1810 – is already missed by many residents.
Bryan McWilliams began the online petition to bring back the chimes, citing them as part of the ‘character and charm’ of Beith. It now has more than 1,000 signatures.
He said: ‘Recently, due to complaints from a newcomer, this cherished tradition has been limited with the cessation from 11pm till 7am.
‘This change has not only disrupted our sense of community but also altered an integral part of our town’s identity,’ he explained.
‘The chiming clock is more than just a timekeeper; it serves as an audible connection to our history and heritage and has been chiming for 200 years.
‘Many townsfolk have shared stories about how they’ve relied on these chimes throughout their lives – from knowing when it was time to head home as children playing in the streets, to relying on them during power outages.’
Both North Ayrshire Council and the Church of Scotland have been contacted for comment.
‘This change has not only disrupted our sense of community but also altered an integral part of our town’s identity,’