to think one person shouldn't hold a village to ransom?

[feelinglikepeaches]

I have recently moved to a rural village. It's about 400 houses - a friendly place to live and very good at holding village events. With the Queen's birthday coming up the parish council wants, along with many other places across the country, to hold a street party on the Sunday afternoon (June 12th). The only viable street to close (because of emergency access to an old people's home and through access) would inevitably mean that some houses would have their access cut-off. One of these houses has already advertised an open garden on the same day as part of the national open garden scheme. The chap concerned has been very vocal/aggressive in campaigning for the street party not to happen. I have some sympathy for him as this open garden was organised many months ago and I recognise that the open garden raises money for charity- however his house is up for sale so it seems very hypocritical. I'm told that for whatever reason the road closure would have to be on a Sunday and that the consensus was that the afternoon would suit the village better- so it seems that it is not possible for the date and time of the street party to be moved. I would like to get involved with the event to meet more people and get involved more with village life but I don't want to walk into a big feud! Is the house owner being unreasonable?

[originalmavis]

Can't either side change the date?

[Seeline]

Presumably people could still get to his garden on foot?
How many visitors is he expecting? could they all park in the road to be shut if it wasn't shut? Is there any where nearby for alternative parking?
Could everyone going to the party donate to the charity - that wold probably be more people than would visit anyway.
He does sound a bit unreasonable, but can appreciate his being upset.

[WorraLiberty]

I think he has a point if it's been organised for many months.

Not sure how he's hypocritical for wanting to raise money for charity before moving?

[girlfrommars33]

I don't think he is really if it does absolutely stop him hosting an event he signed up for ages ago and can't shift the date of as it's tied into a national event.

Is it possible to arrange parking nearby so people can walk to his garden though? Can the parish council sympathise and help with that? I would have thought perhaps the two events could work together and complement each other - more visitors for all

[LineyReborn]

It'll rain.

[InsufficientlyCaffeinated]

Can't you do a tie-in? Seems like the two events could complement each other very well. Near me there is a village where lots of places do the Open Garden thing on the same day and to coincide there is a farmer's market on the green and some closed streets to make it a village party vibe. It's really nice

Unless a visitor to his garden has a disability then they can surely walk on foot from a bit further and if somebody does need to get closer they'll have to ask an organiser to walk in front and drive really slowly

[whatevva]

Why does the party have to be in a street?

It was all very well at the end of the war and in the 1950s - people had their own party in their own street, and not many people owned cars. Things have changed somewhat since then.

Village hall car park? Play ground, green.

I'm not sure why he is being hypocritical either.

[RidersOnTheStorm]

The Open Garden will have been advertised in the gardening magazine for months. He can't change the date.

I feel very sorry for him, actually.

[WellErrr]

The street party needs to change day or location.

He's not being unreasonable at all. An open garden us a big thing, he will have been working towards it and planting for it for months and months.
If he's moving, it will be even more important to him as it will be his last chance.

It's pretty unfair to plan a street party, effectively cancelling his long planned event.

[blankmind]

Why can't he have his open garden in the morning, then the street can be closed at say 1pm or 2pm for the party to be set up in the afternoon.

[trixymalixy]

I agree with the PP. Surely things can be arranged so the two things compliment each other?

[PaulAnkaTheDog]

What a shame for the poor guy!

[KurriKurri]

Well he arranged his first and he's raising money for charity (not sure how the fact that he's moving has any relevance )

I agree that it would be best to try to get to some sort of compromise, although he's maybe a bit annoyed that the street party will detract from his event and he won't raise much as people will be hanging out at the party.

Maybe he's anti royal and sees a street party as jumping on the bandwagon by people who aren't royal supporters and just want a street party.
I wouldn't go to a street party for a member of the Royal family on principle, although I wouldn't care if other people wanted to (I realise pro/anti royal is not the debate here - not stirring) - I might be a bit ticked off it it seriously interfered with my plans though when I made mine first.

[witsender]

Open Gardens are a big thing, he's not being unreasonable! 'The Village' should stop leaning on him and either make arrangements that suit both parties, or hold the party on a field or something.

[feelinglikepeaches]

It has to be a street party as the way it is set up it means that there would have access to the church hall toilets- plus church hall if it rains. Party and tables etc would be almost outside his house so I guess would be odd for people visiting anyway. I'm told parish council has explored all options- so it's set up for a direct clash as things stand.
No parking nearby unfortunately - street parking only for church hall- and he says a lot of visitors tend to be older and can't walk far.
Hypocritical as if house sold he couldn't ask new owner to take over the open garden.
Like your idea for donations seeline.
Liney- yes sure you're spot on!!

[WellErrr]

I actually feel really sorry for him. What a dampener on his Open Garden.

[HanYOLO]

He's being entirely reasonable. He's planned it in advance. Street party thing lovely but will have to happen different place or time. Tough.

I would stay well clear until it's sorted!

[AllPowerfulLizardPerson]

First come first served.

And the Yellow Book has been out for months, so his event has already been publicised nationally with date and details.

I think the rest of the village needs to find a different time or venue.

And if a newcomer I'd also keep firmly out of this, and let the families who have been dealing with each other for generations sort it out.

[AllPowerfulLizardPerson]

"Hypocritical as if house sold he couldn't ask new owner to take over the open garden"

Actually you can. The new owner might decline, but ad the gardens have to be pretty exceptional to be included, those properties often attract keen horticulturalists who will be delighted to have a Yellow Book garden (and he'd be able to sell at a premium on that basis).

[HanYOLO]

Hosue won't be sold and exchanged even by the Queen's second birthday - it's less than 3 months away. Big party planning happening very late. Do it a week later. Or compromise. Parish Council being unreasonable but probably unable to accept that.

[WorraLiberty]

Hypocritical as if house sold he couldn't ask new owner to take over the open garden.

That is not the definition of hypocrisy

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

I'm with him. He's had it in his diary for ages, and the amount of work he does to get his garden ready is enormous.

Street parties are good fun, but enormously difficult to organise. I think the problem is you don't have a group of mates looking to do it, you have a group of very different neighbours at different stages of their life, and very different personalities.

[HanYOLO]

This is so midsomer murders, I love it.

[PaulAnkaTheDog]

He's not being a hypocrite in any way whatsoever.

[GlindatheFairy]

It seems like an awful lot of people to get together even if there are "only" 400 houses. Normally a village-wide affair would be held in the village hall, pub or on the recreation ground. We've had street parties for various things but it has been very small scale with just a few neighbours involved.

It sounds like there isn't the space to do this on a grand scale. Why not just let people make their own arrangements?