New Year Noise Complaints in Alicante, Spain
The chimes of New Year were a disappointment to some, especially party revellers in the city of Alicante.
The volume of the chimes had been reduced recently, owing to complaints from neighbours. But, as the muffled hammer stuck midnight for the eager and waiting crowd, many claimed that they didn´t hear it and therefore missed the traditional grapefest countdown.
Not only that, other people have complained that the countdown bongs started later than the clock striking midnight, resulting in even more confusion for those hoping to grasp the luck of the New Year as a grape is swallowed whole with each strike.
The councillor for fiesta, Mariano Postigo, has insisted that the clock did chime and that it was audible as he was present at the fiesta and heard it himself, although the noise from the crowd may well have caused some people to miss the chime. The councillor did accept that there was a delay of a few seconds before the countdown chimes started.
Being that good luck may have evaded them, only time will now tell if the entire population of Alicante will be showered with misfortune this year, due to the alleged deficiencies of the town hall.
