I READ with considerable sympathy, the letter in the May 23 issue of the Courier about the noise from the East Pidsley Farm music festivals. Living as I do in the middle of Crediton I am not affected by events such as this but it does seem to me that the promoters have the upper-hand when it comes to noise levels and last year's excessive noise was blamed on a "rogue" employee. How convenient. But it need not be the case. Noise limiting devices approved by local authority environmental health departments are available for a sum under four figures and these will prevent noise going above pre-determined levels agreed with the local authority. This equipment has been available for some years and why Mid Devon District Council does not require its use is a mystery. I suspect that if one of the council's environmental health officers, chief officers or senior councillors lived within ear-shot of a festival event, the noise levels would be much lower. Keith Mortimer Searle Street Crediton