The community of Colyton has rallied to support a single mum who was hung out to dry after airing her laundry in public.
Claire Mountjoy received an anonymous note which claimed to be ‘on behalf of local businesses and your neighbourhood’, asking her not to hang her washing out the front of her house.
The note said: “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... would you please consider using a tumble dryer or hanging the washing indoors.”
Claire posted the note to Facebook earlier this week, sparking uproar from outraged community members.
Residents have since replied by hanging their washing outside their homes, a move Claire’s children have coined the ‘laundry revolution’.
Claire said: “I think it is so lovely that I live in a community that’s so supportive of me and doing something that people have done for generations.
“The community response has been amazing - the rebellious nature of Colyton has come to the fore and the laundry revolution has begun!”
Claire, who is an education officer for Devon Wildlife Trust, said she was initially sad when she read the note, but decided she would not continue to be affected by it.
She added: “I want to say to whoever wrote the note that they really should be doing their washing in a more environmentally friendly way and putting it outside.
“It would have been better to have had a nice chat.”
More support has come flooding in from Claire, with Dunkeswell-based Skydive Buzz offering her a £100 voucher for a full-height skydive.
Ruth Fouracre, of Skydive Buzz, said: “We think it’s a great thing that Claire is standing up for, and it’s a bit of fun.
“I am originally from Colyton - the town has a brilliant community and the support is great!”
Tomorrow (Saturday), the Nunsford Nutters Carnival Club will stage a children’s pram and bed race in Colyton from 1pm.
A washing line, with pyjamas pegged to it, will also be strung up between the town hall and the Colcombe Castle pub in support of Claire.
Gail Jarman, one of the race organisers, said: “The reaction for Claire has been fantastic - the amount of people who have got behind it is absolutely brilliant.
“The note is ridiculous - none of us are supporting the person who wrote it.
“You have got to dry your washing somewhere.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here