Should residential bonfires be banned?

[whitekitten]

I have had neighbours doing this, although thankfully they seem to have got fed up with it and stopped doing it now. Maybe try writing down the dates and times you have trouble with your neighbours bonfires over a couple of weeks and actually send it to the council. If what they are burning smells toxic (my neighbours often seemed to be burning rubber) maybe send the letter to your local police station too. Also if you live near a field of crops as I do, which are of course very dry this time of year, you've also got a good basis to report that you feel there is a risk of setting fire to crops.

[brendaward]

I love your white kitten is it an albino? We have an albino whom visits the garden and sits under the trees, we call it Jasper as it is so white it nearly glows.

[stevecurtis]

The same as most small crimes when caught there are next to no consequences to worry about.

all the best Steve

[nightshade]

Originally Posted by Buzzy

I have had several incidents where neighbours have burnt large fires for prolonged periods during the day.
Mostly they burn things that need not be burnt or worse still toxic substances. It seems that anyone who burns a fire does so irresponsibly, without thinking of neighbours washing out, time to enjoy in your own garden, having to resort to closing all windows and doors, burning plastics and evergreen material which is quite toxic.
I am fed up with being the one to complain about others inconsiderate actions. So what can be done?

Get a copy of your local councils regulations then when you make a complaint you can quote the relevant bits. OR you can send a copy to your neighbours by
recorded delivery then they cannot say "I did not know"

[BloomingMarvellous]

I always believed that you couldn't have a bonfire till after 6pm, so i never have, but this seems to be untrue.

[Marliza]

I'm with Brendaward on this, as per my original post.

Like most neighbourhood disputes, it's down to people being considerate to others and being reasonable.

I understand there are still no rules about garden bonfires in our area, so we'll continue to have them once or twice each autumn/winter and pick colder evenings when the wind isn't blowing and most people's windows are firmly shut. (Bonfire Night's favourite, if it's not raining.)

I just wish certain neighbours of ours would do the same, as we often have to shut our windows on the hottest summer days, when some neighbours burn unwanted building materials and smelly rubbish, regardless of others' open windows, washing out for drying, or wind blowing towards the houses.

I'd also be grateful if other neighbours would not allow their children (plus friends) to yell and scream for hours while playing in their garden and stop revving noisy car engines in the early hours, and if the household with lots of dogs would stop them barking en masse several times a day - but nobody's perfect, so we all have to 'live and let live'.

I long to live somewhere where there are no neighbours, but there's little hope of that. Heaven help us when the UK population reaches 70 million!

[whitekitten]

Originally Posted by brendaward

I love your white kitten is it an albino? We have an albino whom visits the garden and sits under the trees, we call it Jasper as it is so white it nearly glows.

Its not mine, I just liked the photo on the internet I wouldn't get an albino cat. I had an albino guinea pig which although it had shade and water he got sunstroke/heatstroke in the very hot summer of 2003 and my mother was home and tried to cool him down like the vet said but he didn't survive. On the upside I got 2 guinea pigs a few weeks after that and one died last autumn and one this spring so they did very well.

[whitekitten]

Originally Posted by Marliza

I'd also be grateful if other neighbours would not allow their children (plus friends) to yell and scream for hours while playing in their garden and stop revving noisy car engines in the early hours, and if the household with lots of dogs would stop them barking en masse several times a day - but nobody's perfect, so we all have to 'live and let live'.

My next door neighbours apparently don't have a doorbell coz everybody they know hoots to let them know they are there, even if they are just driving past. This year they've been quite quiet during the evenings but last year every weekend over the summer seemed to be a party with music, drunk giggling and/or loud kids so I couldn't sleep with the window open.
Its true all we need is a little more respect for each other.

[animartco]

Oh dear it's bonfire time coming up isn't it? M neihbour had one today but fortunately th wind was good. I don't mind people doing a quick bur nof highly inflammable and NON TOXIC stuff, but what I hate so much is people lighting a bonfire on wet compost and going away and leaving it to smoulder all night! It makes me quiite ill. I don't have double glazing and the smoke gets into the house and lingers for days.
I do agre that people should be held responsible more for fires which are a health hazard.

[Meta menardi]

The local paper reported that a stack of hay 50m high was set on fire yesterday, causing smoke and ash problems in the local area. It was pointed out that York Minster is only 60m high and that it was straw not hay. Off track, but it made me smile.

My next door neighbour ( a very nice person and someone I regard as a friend) makes a small hot bonfire every time he cuts the lawn, on which he piles the lawn mowings, which burn for 2 to 3 days and really stink. Everyone else puts them on the compost heap or into a recycling bin. Friendship can get a little stretched sometimes.

So, yes, ban them.