Not the time to ring bells

We have been living in Psaila Street, Sta Venera for the last 18 months and I would like to bring to your attention an inconvenience caused to us over the weekend. However I must first stress that I love Maltese traditions and everything that goes with Maltese festas.

Last Sunday morning the bells of the Basilica of St Helen in Birkirkara were ringing constantly at 4, 5 and 6. I’m totally NOT against ringing of church bells but to ring them at that time of night/morning is taking it a step too far. Last year I happened to be overseas for work at that particular weekend so we did not experience this.

Regardless of what was going on in the church at that time (possibly the Paternoster), I truly believe that it really wasn’t necessary to ring the bells before an acceptable time of 7am, and should be avoided in future.

You need to understand that many residents have young children. It’s already hard enough that my children wake me up at 6am on a Sunday, but having them awake and starting their day at 4am is really unfair. All our windows were closed at night and the bells could still be heard repetitively ringing in our ears.

You might say to yourself that one person’s opinion shouldn’t matter over a once in a year occasion but I tend to hope that common sense prevails for even the respect of the minority, especially since it’s noise pollution at an unacceptable time. Not everybody will speak up like I did.

Just for the record, I was at the actual festa later that morning with my wife and children, so I really have no issue with the festa itself.

Paul Borg

Sta Venera