Some people think buskers are ruining the ambience of a picturesque village
Parkgate Fish & Chips, Parkgate, Wirral. Photo by Colin Lane(Image: Liverpool Echo/Colin Lane)
On a sunny spring day, there are few better places to be than watching the world go by in Parkgate. The picturesque village on the Wirral peninsula is known for its award-winning ice cream, delicious fish and chips and stunning views across the Dee Estuary to the Welsh hills.
Although people come here from far and wide for the beautiful views and old-school charm, most days, all you’ll hear is the chatter of tourists and the odd squawk from the birds out on the estuary.
But some people are concerned that the peaceful ambience of Parkgate is being “ruined” by buskers, who reportedly head to the village on weekend afternoons to play their music for the crowds of tourists.
One regular busker is an accordion player, while another is a young singer-songwriter who seems to be widely admired in the local community.
Last week, someone posted a complaint about the musicians on a local community group on Facebook, sparking a heated debate.
Parkgate Historic Conservation Village.(Pic Andrew Teebay)(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Writing anonymously, the commenter said: “Went for a quiet stroll in the beautiful sunshine along the front yesterday. Ruined by the loud busker. Not the place for it.”
Many people leapt to the buskers’ defence. One commenter said: “I suppose the ironic part is you went for a quiet stroll along Parkgate front on a sunny day – very rarely quiet or peaceful. He’s a local lad trying to get known. Plays at Neston Market Square as well – good luck to him.”
A couple of days later, someone posted: “I think having a busker in Parkgate at the weekends is a great idea. Entertaining the crowds of ice cream licking, chip munching, beer drinking tourists and people just out for a quiet walk.
“If it were up to me, I’d have someone down there every single Saturday, Sunday and school holidays from spring through to autumn.”
When the ECHO went to Parkgate this week to ask people for their views on buskers, we encountered a variety of opinions.
Arthur James, 79, from Tranmere was eating fish and chips on a bench looking out at the estuary when we spoke to him. He seemed to think his experience would have been enhanced by some live music.
Arthur said: “They’re competing with the seagulls, but it’s a bit of entertainment isn’t it? It couldn’t do any harm.”
Chris and John Mappin from New Brighton agreed. “I think it’s quite nice, as long as it’s not too noisy,” said Chris.
Parkgate and salt marsh on Wirral. Photo by Colin Lane(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
However, there were some dissenters. John Shields, 70, who was sipping a pint in the shade outside Walker’s Warrington pub didn’t mince his words.
“If you want my honest opinion,” he said, “I think it’s a pain in the backside. It shouldn’t be allowed.
“This is a nice place to come and sit and relax with a pint. When the weather’s like this I come here every day. On a day like today, not many locals are going to be around. But I can tell you that people who actually live here don’t like it.”
A long time resident who didn’t want to be named had mixed feelings on the issue. He described the regular young busker as “nice and really talented”, but said he “doesn’t want the world and his wife to turn up” either.
He added: “For a couple of hours on a weekend, it can be lovely. But if it goes on too long it can become a bit grating. There’s a fine balance. I’d say the local community are behind him though.”
The resident doesn’t have a lot of sympathy with people complaining about threats to the ambience. “If they want peace and quiet on a weekend, it’s the wrong time to come to Parkgate,” he said.
The ECHO approached the young busker for comment, but did not get a response.