"Why should William Hague come into our area and tell us what to do?" asks "noisy" motocross meet organiser

After a career which saw him become leader of the Conservative Party and foreign secretary, the one-time Wath Comprehensive School pupil has settled down to a life of comfort at a country house, in Powys, Wales, that he bought for a reported £2.5 million eight years ago.But Baron Hague of Richmond, and his wife of 25 years, Ffion, haven’t been able to win a civic and legal battle with humble ground worker David Cooke.David (50) organises Motocross Club meetings in a rural area within earshot of the Hagues’ stately pile.They don’t like the noise - and frequently have to leave their mansion (which apparently features a heated indoor pool, spa, ten bedrooms, ten bathrooms, and is set in 12 acres of grounds) to avoid it.The Hagues had done their best to limit the din.Powys County Council had served a noise abatement order to only allow six races a year - instead of an anticipated 23 - after complaints made by Lord and Lady Hague, and their gardener, that the races at Nantfforch Farm, Cyfronydd, were too loud and too frequent.Lady Hague (55) described the racket, in a statement, as: “Like being near a noisy wasps’ nest or chainsaws.“There is a constant thump and revving of engines.“If the track is in use there is no chance of sitting outside to read a book.“We both appreciate the rural area. There is the inevitable noise from agriculture...but the constant buzzing of bikes is increasingly intrusive.”Occasionally, she and her husband feel they have to leave the house for a long walk or go in the car to get away from the racket.Their feelings were made known in court - but it didn’t really go their way.Mr Cooke had appealed to Welshpool magistrates against Powys Council’s six races a year edict and JPs ruled he could run tournaments in the area for up to 18 days a year.That is regarded as a “brilliant” success by Mr Cooke, who told the Advertiser he wanted to speak to the couple in person and find out more details behind their beef with his club.“Why should William Hague be coming into our area - he has only lived here a few years - and telling us what we can do and can’t do?“He was trying to rule the roost and it's is not going to happen with me, mate.”Asked how he had felt about taking on an establishment figure such as Lord Hague, he replied: “Why not, he is a human being, the same as I am.“I am going to see him and Ffion face to face and ask what the problem is.“It is not about winning, it is about standing up for what you think is right.”