Revealed, laundry row community that’s got its knickers in a twist...
THERE are few domestic tasks more mundane than hanging laundry out to dry.
But this simple act has left a town up in arms – after one mother was asked not to put her washing outside for fear of putting off tourists.
Now other residents have rallied behind Claire Mountjoy, stringing up lines of pants and socks around Colyton, East Devon, in what they have dubbed a ‘laundry revolution’.
One indignant supporter has even hoisted a bra to the top of a flagpole.
Mrs Mountjoy, 47, was sent an anonymous email last
‘Extraordinary and hilarious’
Wednesday asking her to dry her clothes inside.
It read: ‘I am writing on behalf of local businesses and your neighbourhood to ask you with kindness not to put your washing out at the front of your house.
‘We all try hard to keep our lovely town thriving and looking good. The visitors walk up Dolphin Street from the tram and your terrace is a prime location.
‘While we understand you have a small house with no outside room for your boys, would you please consider using a tumble dryer or hanging the washing indoors. This letter is not written with malice but we ask you to please help us all keep Colyton a town we can all be proud of.’
The sender is also thought to be responsible for a sign reading ‘This is not acceptable’ placed by a line of pants that Mrs Mountjoy’s children hung up in protest.
The email was shared with the Heart of Colyton Facebook group, a forum for the town’s 2,000 residents to discuss community issues.
The next day, the town was awash with laundry lines – and reports have it that June 7 will now go down as Annual Underwear Airing Rebellion Day.
Mrs Mountjoy, an education officer for Devon Wildlife Trust, said of the protest: ‘It shows the fabulous community spirit Colyton has.
‘It is quite strange that someone should be so upset about it. They suggest that visitors would be put off but our laundry revolution is actually bringing in more visitors.’
The mother of three also pointed out the environmental benefits of air-drying laundry rather than using a tumble dryer.
Paul Arnott, who kicked off the revolution last week, said: ‘It’s extraordinary and absolutely hilarious. Street after street, it was like some sort of military operation.’
Colyton has 80,000 visitors a year. Its attractions include Seaton Tramway, which runs through Axe Valley.