WI ends kids classes after row over noise
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music classes at the Crantock WI hall, but says she has been forced to switch venue due to unreasonable behaviour from the WI.Annette Agliano, mother to Oscar age 9 who attends the Rock Skool class, is disappointed by the failure to support something she feels offers a constructive hobby for young people.
“The adults involved in criticising and withdrawing their support for these activities should hang their heads in shame, for stopping what should be encouraged and allowed to grow,” she said.
According to Mandy, who has booked the hall for Rock Skool and Danceworx for the last four years, the problems started when a new WI president was appointed, she said: “The problems only started two years ago when there was a change in the president.
“ I have been a dance teacher 23 years and never known anything like it”
Things came to blows when there was a mix up in the bookings, Mandy said: “I was away on holiday and apparently I forgot to make the booking that week. The four adults who take the class told me that the husband of the WI president came storming in, shouting and hollering in front of a group of under 10’s.
“I have made the same bookings every week for the last two years; maybe I made a mistake, but it hardly warrants that reaction.”
The confrontation came after the “WI just made none stop complaints” about the noise of the classes and mess, and “every time I did my upmost to appease them” said Mandy.
A local businessman not connected to the WI, who asked not to be identified, said he had found the noise from classes disruptive.
He said: “We are not usually open, but this Saturday we were and the noise was very loud, kids screaming and crying and shouting constantly at about 2pm.”.
A meeting was held last Tuesday to talk about the issues but Mandy feels she was not treated fairly.
“My mother, who is 66 years old, came along because she thought as a fellow WI member she could help and they were really rude to her as well. She was shocked by the experience.
Mandy continued: “At the end of the day they do not want us there, the awkwardness means I didn’t take their offer to stay on till Easter.
“It’s a real shame because the hall is there for the community’s benefit and I try and provide a quality service.”
Mandy will be continuing the classes at Treviglas Community College but worries the journey may be “difficult for some kids”.
The Newquay WI president Stella Schofield said: “The WI haven’t cancelled it we have just discontinued the hall booking due to difficulties. We have given them notice until Easter to find another venue.”
