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ZitatAlles anzeigenWe'll be good neighbours
devon.editorial@archant.co.uk
09 April 2008
THE gentle buzz of a helicopter is not an unusual sound to folk living in Appledore. But it wasn't only the yellow Search and Rescue Sea King that was swooping low over the rooftops last week.
After news that the family of pop legend Michael Jackson were renting a home in the village was revealed in the Gazette on Wednesday morning, the sleepy seaside community very quickly went on to hit the headlines worldwide.
By Wednesday afternoon, three helicopters - dispatched by news editors to get aerial shots of the superstars' new pad - had been spotted by locals eager to know what all the fuss was about.
The Gazette spoke to villagers to find out what they though about the Jackson Five-famed family's arrival next month.
Neil Hocking, who spent Wednesday selling his family's famous ice cream on the village quayside, said he had first heard what he thought was a helicopter while making ice cream in his factory that morning.
"By the time I got down to the Quay, there were three helicopters circling around," he said.
"They kept holding back and waiting for the mist to clear, but seemed to be focusing on an area just behind St Mary's Church.
"A bit later, a photographer from the Daily Mail asked me to pose with a giant ice cream and took a picture of me in the van, looking up Meeting Street."
Soon-to-be Jacksons' neighbours Nick Pearce and Veronica Sharrock, whose homes are just across the road from the celebrities' rental, were quite matter-of-fact about the new arrivals.
"It's fine, I don't mind at all. We will welcome them as neighbours," said Mrs Sharrock. "But we might get a lot of people coming to have a look.
"I don't know if it will be quite what they are used to. They say they want somewhere quiet, but I don't think they will be used to it being as quiet as it is here. But it seems that it will be just temporary until they find a permanent home."
Mr Pearce said he didn't think the Jacksons' arrival would affect them too much, although there might be a few newspaper people around when they were moving in.
"We don't expect to see much of them," he said.
"We moved down here from another part of the country ourselves and have fitted into the village. But if people like the Jacksons can do so is another matter. I don't know if, in the long term, you could expect them to fit into village life. Their world is so removed from ours.
"As a United fan I would be much more excited if it was Paul Scholes, Bobby Charlton or Eric Cantona," he added.
Mayor of Northam and Appledore resident Andrew Eastman said: "Visitors like this are always welcomed to Appledore. We have had celebrities here before and people have taken it in their stride. It is good that they appreciate the village and our tranquil way of life. They are going to create a lot of interest, but we know it is only temporary, before the build their own home in Croyde.
"I do appreciate there are concerns from some residents. But, like it or not, the Jacksons are coming to Appledore and we cannot stop them. We have already had some feedback with people coming to see where the house is and we hope it will not develop into hordes of people.
"But I would like to think that nothing but good will come from this and that it will put Appledore on the map.
Prosperity
"If they are to do a reality show this will again put Appledore in the limelight and if people do come and see our beautiful village I would like to think they will enjoy their stay, visit the local pubs and have an ice cream - and, who knows, what may come of it? It may bring a bit of prosperity."
Graham and Alison Stone of the Beaver Inn thought the Jacksons' arrival could provide the village with a boost.
"It will certainly put Appledore on the map, if it is not there already," said Graham. "It will bring the stargazers to Appledore and, hopefully, they will leave with an appreciation of all the things the area has to offer and why high profile people like this want to live in this part of the world.
"There is currently a lot of talk about people emigrating and looking for greener pastures overseas. But why, when we have all this on our doorstep?"
Alison said she would be delighted if the Jacksons wanted to join their West Quay Fundraisers group and help raise money for local charities.
Claude Bottger and Jane Tanton of the village fish and chip shop were also welcoming.
"They can have their first fish and chips free," said Claude.
"Absolutely brilliant for the village. I think it will do Appledore the world of good," he said.
"I would love to see them do a gig on a big trailer in the car park as a welcome to the village."
Appledore businessman Chris Ommaney said he at one time owned the house the Jacksons were moving into.
But his reaction to the new residents was guarded - a "mixed blessing," he said.
"Whether this will be good or bad, we will not know until they arrive. They may bring a lot of fans, getting in the way and misbehaving, and bodyguards and police are bound to be here. But whether they will also bring benefits to Appledore, I just don't know. If they want to come and stay in my hotel, I will welcome them."
At the local Co-op store, supervisor Henrietta Ballard, a Jackson fan, said: "I can't believe that they are actually coming to Appledore. It would be amazing if I could meet Michael Jackson. But I don't expect that I will even see him."
Michelle Piper of The Look hairdressers, said some clients had thought when the story broke that it was an April Fools joke.
"It is all so surreal that it is difficult to comment," she said.
"But if the Jacksons want a base here, I hope they will like it.
I don't expect it will affect my trade. But if any of them want to come and try my new beauty room, they will be welcome.
