Show will go on for one Portsmouth street hosting NHS fundraising concerts despite a noise complaint

In a bid to raise cash for the NHS and boost morale in his street singer Andy George set up a gig from his driveway at 2pm last Saturday, performing requests from neighbours and those watching along on Facebook Live.

At the time Andy, 57, was blown away by the support of residents from Chatsworth Avenue, in Cosham, as well as the more than 200 people watching online.

'The atmosphere was brilliant,' he said.

'I hadn't sung for months obviously because lockdown meant events weren't happening and also at the end of last year my mum died so I didn't really have the heart to sing. This gave me a new reason to do it.'

However, the Portsmouth Naval Base worker, was left feeling 'upset' when someone in the road called the police while the performance, which lasted an hour, was ongoing, followed by the noise complaint.

He said: 'Someone called the police while I was still singing and an officer came along on a bicycle but he saw we were distancing and he gave us a thumbs up and left.

'Then a few days later I was sent a letter from the council to say a noise complaint had been made against me. I was so upset to hear that.'

However, the council confirmed no further action would be taken.

Councillor Lee Hunt, community safety boss at the council said: 'In these standard advisory letters we ask people to take into account the noise they make as it may, often unintentionally, impact negatively on their neighbours.

'It is important that during these unprecedented circumstances we are all respectful of our neighbours and mindful of what their situations might be and what they may be going through.

'Mr George's desire to raise funds for our NHS are, of course, to be applauded.'

Andy vowed to return for another concert this Saturday at 2pm, with more hits from the likes of Elvis, Neil Diamond and The Drifters.

He said: It's really good news. If I turn it down the music as much as I can then there should be no problems.

'And if the complaint was from a key worker who needs to sleep during the day, or a similar situation, please let me know by contacting me or putting a note through my door so I can make changes.'

One neighbour, Carla Mortimer, 47, enjoyed Andy's concert. She said: 'It was brilliant. We were all looking forward to it again this Saturday.

'There was such a nice community feeling.'

Andy's supporters were asked to donate to Captain Tom Moore's NHS fundraiser or Portsmouth performer Dave Barrett's QA fundraiser on Just Giving in return for requests.

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