Fiona Galea Debono
Senglea clock causes 'psychological distress'
Anna Spiteri says the Senglea clock is too loud. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
Forget the sound of construction works or the loud bangs from fireworks. Even the ticking, or rather, the "banging", of a church clock can pose a threat to health and quality of life, it seems.
The "noise pollution and health hazards" of the Senglea church clock have led an irate resident to commission experts from the University's faculty of engineering to carry out noise readings from her terrace.
They found that, every 15 minutes, the sound intrusions are 35 decibels more than the acceptable 55 established by World Health Organisation guidelines.
At 90 decibels, the clock should be considered "exceedingly harmful" and not allowed to "bang", Anna Spiteri, who runs a research company in environmental management, said.
The June 8 readings, for example, taken between 8.46 p.m. and just past midnight, show that the so-called chimes stop at 11 p.m. when peace and quiet reign.
Otherwise, the bells are heard every 15 minutes from 6 a.m., causing anyone in the vicinity to jump up 68 times a day. "Why would anyone want to know that 15 minutes have passed anyway? Every 15 minutes is Chinese torture at any volume," she said, demanding the clock be stopped.
Ms Spiteri, whose home and office flank the church, said she was unable to enjoy her home, and her doctor had certified that the clock was causing her psychological distress, as well as affecting her work and family life.
But it was not merely her state of mind that was driving her to fight it; Ms Spiteri said she was being led by science, not emotion, since it had been proved that loud noise led to aggression.
When the clock was struck by lightning last October and stopped functioning for five months, residents were quieter and appeared calmer, she said.
Her efforts to have a more peaceful Pope Benedict XV Square appears to have fallen on deaf ears - all in the name of culture, she maintained. "But the clock - a millennium gift - has only been around for eight years!"
Referring to the draft National Environmental Health Action Plan, drawn up by the Health Ministry in 2006, Ms Spiteri claimed its objectives were to reduce exposure to noise pollution, particularly for children.
The church in Senglea is located next to the Dom Mauro Inguanez primary school, she pointed out, adding that in the UK researchers have linked loud noise to illness and educational problems in students, impairing their ability to read and perform memory tests. When Ms Spiteri asked whether the 2006 document was still a draft, she was told it was being revised, which has left her in limbo.
She also said that the Environment Ministry had to start the process of transposing the EU Environmental Noise Directive, prior to which it was supposed to draw up noise maps in towns and villages by June 2007.
A noise map establishes the average noise level, so anything above that would not be allowed, she explained.
The Aarhus Convention is part of the directive, meaning the public would have to be informed of the health hazards imposed on them.
"In other words, you would not be able to distribute a petition without explaining the impact on health, which is what happened when the Senglea church committee got residents to sign (a document saying) that the clocks and bells were part of our culture."
Ms Spiteri has even turned to the Curia, which, she said, sympathised with her and put her in touch with its environmental commission.
"What are the responsible authorities doing about it, apart from dismissing the ever-increasing medical research on noise pollution, as well as local and EU laws?"
Despite her woes, however, Ms Spiteri and her family seem to be alone in their battle against the clock. Other complaining residents could be counted on one hand, she said.
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Kirsten Risiott
Feb 28th 2009, 13:27
All Ms.Spiteri said is true, about child mental condition, noise polution and so on. But people dont get angry by listening the bells just for a few seconds, there are other things that people get angry about. For most of the citizens in Senglea the thick of the bells were reference of time especially for bus drivers(and we all know how punctually they are). My Question is why we leave such people to ruin something of some how importance and of cultural just to fight a personal war? and why if she knew that the thick of the bells irritates her, she bought her offices near the area? it all concludes that she likes to disrupt the normal way of living of a Maltese citizen. last thing I would like to remind Ms.Spiteri, she runs an enviromental business as it shows from the articale, i would like to ask, her does her husband put the ashes of his cigarettes in his pockets or on the floor? is this the type of example she wants to give us?
p.grima
Sep 26th 2008, 20:03
@-Ronnie Gauci- Thanks for the info, although it is sad news for the larger majority.
This looks like the beginning of the end of our millenary traditions. Who knows what will be next, the village Festas, the Regattas, the Mnarja, fireworks, hunting, processions (including Good Friday and Easter)?
Ronnie Gauci
Sep 11th 2008, 21:23
The Senglea Church bells were silenced last Tuesday (9.9.08). This is an attack on Maltese traditions, we are accepting and letting in foreign traditions on a daily basis and at the same time we are eradicating ours.
From now on every church bell in Malta is in danger of being silenced forever. Ms Spiteri succeded where Hitler failed, that is silence the bells of the Senglea Basilica.
The fight is on......
P.Grima
Jul 21st 2008, 23:37
What will be left of our rich traditions if we let them erode away one by one? How will we define Maltese culture and identity? Just imagine; no more Festas, no more Regattas, no more Mnarjas, etc, all because of the whining of a few. Will we send these millenary traditions into oblivion so easily? I hope not!
I spent part of my life living practically underneath a clock tower which chimes every fifteen minutes. By the second day of that stay I had already got used to its chiming and I didn't mind its tolling.
valerie scicluna
Jul 21st 2008, 11:09
@L Galea
If I were one of the engineers at the universityI would be insulted by your remark. I agree that there are those who style themselves as experts but one cannot lump every one in the same basket othewise one would lose faith in every expert on whatever subject. I don't think it's fair to suspect that the readings are wrong since we don't even know who these experts are. we should give them at least the benefit of the doubt. I'm sure that you visit a doctor when you feel ill. what if you were to doubt his diagnosis? finally I suggested that the noise could be altered to a level accepted by everyone. I'm positive it could be done( at the risk of sounding too knowlegeable in such matters!)
Ray Fava
Jul 21st 2008, 10:32
Up to five years ago, I used to live directly in front of Ms Anna Spiteri. Like myself Ms Spiteri is also a born Senglean. Unlike Ms Spiteri who moved into the Parish Church Piazza about twenty years ago, with the exception of the last five years, I myself lived under the shadow and noise of the Church belfries pratically from the first day I was born, on the 8th of September, 1955, the date of the Town Festa.
Ms Spiteri was fully aware of what moving into the house which she and her family now occupy entailed, since it was previously owned by her late aunt.. So how is it that now she is stating that the Church clock is causing her psychological distress and is also linking it to low educational attainment by Senglea Primary School children?
It is pertinent to note that during the same period namely Year 2000 to 2003, I myself read for and attained a Masters Degree in my same family residence located in the Senglea Parish Church Area without at any time suffering any psychological distress.
I only left Senglea because I got married. The Sengleans are certainly not aggressive, but fine people.
Ramon Casha
Jul 21st 2008, 06:13
Hmm... I suppose that, similarly, anybody who moved to Gwardamangia should not have complained about the hospital incinerator chimney either, and those who moved anywhere in the vicinity of the Marsa power station should have shut up and eaten smoke. There are areas of the coastline which have had sewage pollution problems for a long time. Should people who wish to go swimming there have no say - especially since they're not even residents?
The idea that excessive noise can be harmful is a relatively new one to Malta, but it's true nonetheless - whether it comes from petards, car "silencers", car stereos, church bells or anything else.
However it's not necessarily true that the long-time residents are happy with the situation. Has the church tried to find out among the people living in the vicinity? Have they asked the older residents, or people with young children? Try asking them whether they would prefer the bells to be less loud.
L Galea
Jul 20th 2008, 22:25
Valerie,
I've read it years ago and it was making a joke of the many persons who try to pass themselves off as being experts when they are not.
Don't you think that we have many such persons not "only in Malta" but anywhere in the world?
J. Martinelli
Jul 20th 2008, 20:43
@ Valerie Scicluna et al,
What these self appointed experts are not telling us (assuming that the readings they give are correct) is the length of time required for these reported high noise levels, to be of any hazard at all.
I dare say that a loud canary chirping its head off and close enough to Anna's ears would be equally hazardous, even more so since these birds can sing along for much longer than the church clock chiming the hour!
Please ask God to ban thunder !
Was it not an old tradition that when a severe thunderstorm struck, church bells used to be rung?
I wonder whether it was because their sound was far more soothing than the crash-bang of the thunder.
J. Martinelli
Jul 20th 2008, 20:33
John Mizzi, why is it that in most European great cities, millions attend grand fireworks displays, each year?
These shows provide bangs, bursts, colour, whistles, showers, aahs, oohs and attended by young and old without exception.
Have you ever witnessed a 4th of July fireworks display throughout every one of the 50 or so states? Have you seen the multitude of spectators all wanting more after the last bang is fired off?
Are all these people barbarians?
If there are those who do not like the spectacle and the accompanying noise once every year or so, they should have a picnic or a swim someplace else, just for a few hours until they can return and have their undisturbed sleep!
And if Mr. Mizzi is so concerned about the sound level effects on young children, he should start a crusade demanding the ban of earphones connected to hi decibel portable radios or car stereos capable of delivering 500 watts of raw power in a confined space of less than thirty cubic feet in which one or more individuals spend hours on end.
Within ten years, the islands main industry should be the sale and fitting of hearing aids!
valerie scicluna
Jul 20th 2008, 19:02
@L Galea.
Did you read that in some scientific journal or did you make it up yourself?! :)
I'm glad you classified the description as a joke!
joe borg
Jul 20th 2008, 19:01
we've had enough of these psuedo puliti who do not know what the life in certain areas involve and tey just come to live in aeas so that they will look puliti livinh in an old town house or a house of character. Before buying a house you must know the area and its life and then you must adapt to it. If the clock had been there for years and no one complained than you must move. Ms.Spiteri you are exactly like that guy from Zabbar. The clock had been ringing its tone for hyears and then since he is a pulit from god knows where and he bought a house of character near the church he thinks that the clock must stop. I suggest that you read "nies bla Sabar " of Sir Temi Zammit if you know who he is and if you know how to read in Maltese.
L Galea
Jul 20th 2008, 18:04
@valerie scicluna
Figures are always arbitrarily chosen by those who make them. Do we have scientific proof that any of the people who have ever lived in nearby houses ever suffered damage to their hearing? As they say, proof of the pudding is in the eating.
This is a well-known description of an engineer Valerie.
An engineer passes as such by being able to procreate with prolific fortitude an endless series of incomprehensible formulas, based on figures derived from mathematical assumptions and measurements made with instruments of questionable and problematic accuracy, by persons of dubious mentality and questionable sanity.
I hope you get the joke Valerie
mark tanti
Jul 20th 2008, 17:12
I have already commented on this issue some time ago and I do not intend to repeat. What I would like to say to Ms Spiteri is that new comers like herself are annoying most of us who have lived in the place for years. You are thinking that you are superior people because you can measure the sound level. As Mr Galea said if the church clock bells are annoying you then you can move to another place and leave the clock bells to ring as they have done for so much years without harm to residents.
valerie scicluna
Jul 20th 2008, 16:30
Before we start criticising Ms.Spiteri and suggesting that she move house and home let us reason things out. Ms.Spiteri has brought forward scientific evidence that the noise produced by the clock is 35 decibels above the accepted level of 55. This evidence comes from no less than the university's engineering faculty of Malta. Tradition is all well and good but not when it becomes a health hazard. I'm sure that the noise of the clock can be adjusted to a more acceptable level to the satisfaction of all. Is it such a big problem?
L Galea
Jul 20th 2008, 16:07
I am sure that the majority of the Maltese population are fed up with such antics after some new residents move in, in a new location.
They start complaining about this and that and expect the locals to adjust to them instead of they adjusting to the locals and local conditions.
As stated by yoru correspondents, fi she doesn't like it she can move somewhere else, perhaps in the middle of s field in nowhere land.
John Mizzi
Jul 20th 2008, 14:32
When are the maltese authorities going to observe the EU Noise Directive when it comes to fireworks petards? I hope such negligence will not be continued to be tolerated specially were kids are being exposed to high levels of noise!
J. Martinelli
Jul 20th 2008, 12:47
Boo hoo.
How long has the Senglea church clock been chiming, ticking and banging ?
How long has Anna Spiteri been living in the vicinity of the 'offending' clock ?
"Other complaining residents could be counted on one hand", Anna said.
That being the case, the vast majority doesn't complain.
Therefore clock wins hands down! Pun intended
Paul Borg
Jul 20th 2008, 11:20
"Despite her woes, however, Ms Spiteri and her family seem to be alone in their battle against the clock. Other complaining residents could be counted on one hand, she said."
Solution for Ms Spiteri: Move to another location.