Laundry row town that’s got its knickers in a twist

Locals hang up pants to support mum told to dry washing inside

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 the ‘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 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 locals to discuss community issues, where it was widely criticised. 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.

Colyton, with a population of 2,000, prides itself on being a rebellious town. Its reputation was earned when 165 residents joined in the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685 to try – unsuccessfully – to overthrow King James II.

Mrs Mountjoy, an education officer for Devon Wildlife Trust, said of the protest: ‘It shows the fabulous community spirit Colyton has. Colyton is known as the most rebellious town in Devon. That kind of streak is still in its people. It is quite strange that someone should be so upset about it. They suggest that visitors would be put off but actually 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 with a Facebook post of his washing hanging outdoors, said: ‘ It’s extraordinary and absolutely hilarious. Street and after street, it was like some sort of military operation.’

Colyton, a picturesque town near the south coast, has 80,000 visitors a year. Its tourist attractions include Seaton Tramway, which runs through Devon’s Axe Valley.