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Furious Brian May in council row in quiet UK village where houses average £900k
Reach Daily Express | April 22, 2026 12:40 AM CST

Brian May has been caught up in a furious row with his local council, in a quiet UK village where an average house would set you back around £900,000. The Queen guitarist, 78, settled down in the pretty village of Elstead in Surrey, which is settled along the banks of the River Wey and surrounded by woodland.

The chocolate box village, however, has seen a bit of turbulence after Brian opened up about his spat with the parish council. After planting daffodils all over the village as part of a community effort, his latest plan has been rejected by bosses due to traffic.

Opening up on Instagram about the furore, Brian said: "Following up on our Team Daffodil planting - here we are, back on [the] green this morning, dead heading 3,000 stalks to make sure all the energy goes back down into the bulbs for a nice display next spring.

"We're also feeding them with something very much like tomato fertiliser from that blue Bowser you see there, to give them all an extra boost.

"I've been quite thrilled to get so many happy comments from the village about this year's display. Probably the best part of it all has been the friends I've made here in Elstead - including the kids, who have been so supportive, thanks St James and Huckleberries.

"Big thanks to my gallant friends on Team Daffodil, our small band of volunteers and to the Rev Hannah for the blessing! It all came together so nicely."

But Brian added: "And of course thanks to our Parish council for giving me permission to donate Spring beauty to our community!

"We were all hoping to adorn the main Village Green for next spring... but sadly the Parish Council last night rejected my plan. Apparently the main objection is that the sight lines on the Green will be affected for traffic.

"We're struggling to imagine how 18 inch stalks could instruct anyone's view! Especially when the green is normally surrounded by parked vehicles, including a 7 foot high ice cream van!!!

"I'd be interested in your comments, folks! But for now we are reluctantly cancelling my orders for bulbs. Cheers folks! Bri."


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