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AIBU?

to want to apologise to the travellers camping across the road?

190 replies

nethunsreject · 02/06/2011 06:53

I live in a quiet village. Half a dozen travellers set up camp across the road last week. They have been quiet, tidy and their kids well behaved. However, this hasn't stopped some of my neighbours complaining to the council about them and plans are now in place to move them on.

I am ashamed by this NIMBY-ism.

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Happymm · 02/06/2011 06:58

Good for you! Unfortunately as with all things,a minority of people give the rest of folk a bad name. Yes, there are travellers who drink, steal, vandalise etc etc, but IMO there are people who live in houses, who do that too:(

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WriterofDreams · 02/06/2011 07:00

It would be lovely of you to apologise and I think they'd appreciate it. That said, all the travellers I know are well used to that sort of thing and aren't easily offended - they just take it on the chin and move on. Not that they should have to, but I do admire their confidence.

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purplepidjin · 02/06/2011 07:16

Unfortunately, if the ok ones are allowed to stay, they not so ok ones assume that they can set up camp there too and wreck it for everyone. This frequently happens near me, and means that they all have to move on, troublemakers and quite folk alike Sad

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ccpccp · 02/06/2011 07:40

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InTheNightKitchen · 02/06/2011 08:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SnuffleTurtle153 · 02/06/2011 08:08

What ITNK said. It's a civil issue, not a criminal one.

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chicletteeth · 02/06/2011 08:09

Are they allowed to camp there first of all?
If not, then I too would be cross.

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fedupofnamechanging · 02/06/2011 08:12

If they were camped on my land I wouldn't like it and would feel I had a right to complain to the council and get them moved on. If a group of people want to live outside of societies 'norms', then that it their prerogative, but they have no right to do it on someone else's land.

Don't see why you should apologise. Unless you complained and now regret your actions, then this is nothing to do with you. If other people have complained, then that is their right and it is not up to you to apologise on their behalf.

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lubberlich · 02/06/2011 08:14

What would you apologise for? Your neighbours' decision to complain? What have their actions got to do with you?

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PotPourri · 02/06/2011 08:15

I think you should keep out of it personally. Talk to them and be welcoming by all means, but you're not there to apologise for other people.

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nethunsreject · 02/06/2011 08:16

Thanks for the replies. Smile

Yeah, I'm sure they are used to it and expect it.

The people who have complained - it isn't their land either! It is nothing to do with them either tbh.

I have to say that their kids are better behaved than most of ours. Wink

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nethunsreject · 02/06/2011 08:17

Yeah, I probably will keep out of it tbh. Just venting more than anything.

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fastweb · 02/06/2011 08:19

Going to the council opposing the complaints and the plans to evict makes your instinctive, primary reaction all about them.

Choosing a first person apology to disassociate yourself from the actions of others and find an audience to validate your tolerance makes your instinctive, primary response all about you.

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beesimo · 02/06/2011 08:23

So following some of yous logic regarding trespassing I would be well within my rights to stop all yous 'nice middle class' walkers tramping over our land every school holidays. I could put up sign 'SORRY NO TEACHERS'.

We don't because we are prepared to share the beauty of our land with you it is a shame you are so mean you don't want Traveller folk parking on your rough bits of land as they go on their way.

Anyway can't stay to argue long we are having a day off today.

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ccpccp · 02/06/2011 08:28

"FYI ccpccp trespassing is not criminal activity.."

Yeah I know. People made a big point of it last time, and it felt like splitting hairs then also.

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fedupofnamechanging · 02/06/2011 08:31

beesimo, if it's your land then yes you can stop other people from using it unless there is a public right of way. If you don't mind others using it, then that is your choice, it being your land. If other people object to their land or land paid for with public money which they wouldn't be allowed to camp on, then that is their right too.

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Inertia · 02/06/2011 08:31

Beesimo - depends whether your land includes a public right of way, surely ?

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InTheNightKitchen · 02/06/2011 08:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

nethunsreject · 02/06/2011 09:05

fastweb, never thought about going to the council. yes, that is a good idea!

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fedupofnamechanging · 02/06/2011 09:12

OP, if you feel so strongly about it, you can offer them the use of your garden

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nethunsreject · 02/06/2011 09:14

yes, very good karma.

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MrsBethel · 02/06/2011 13:25

The fact that trespass isn't a criminal offence is a complete aberration. Our legal system is deficient, mainly for obscure historical reasons and the weird piecemeal way our law has been formed.

Suppose you came home one day to find someone had erected a tent in your garden and planned to live there for a few months.

Would you want the protection of criminal law? Or would you be happy to go through a lengthy and expensive civil process?

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MotherSnacker · 02/06/2011 14:04

They need more designated sites. I don't think people should be allowed to camp on any bit of land they wish but whenever they try to build legitimate sites they get refused planning permission. That is really unfair. It leaves them no option but to camp illegally.

i'm sure they would appreciate the support OP.

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bubblecoral · 02/06/2011 14:12

If the plans are in place to move them, then they are using land that they shouldn't be.

Your neighbours have as much right to not want them there as you have to not mind them being there.

What is the intended purpose of the land they are using? Is it still able to be used for that?

Travellers make a choice, they know they are going to annoy people with those choices, so while I believe they have every right to do what they do, they have to accept the consequenses of their choices.

Maybe people wouldn't have such a problem with them if they paid taxes to the councils that have to clear up the mess they often leave behind. I know they don't all make make mess, but many do, and they are the ones that ruin it for their own kind and give them a bad reputation.

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SouthGoingZax · 02/06/2011 14:14

Well these travellers may be lovely.
When I was living in a beautiful area a few years ago, a group of travellers set up camp in a large lay-by. When they left the place was a complete dump, complete with a little landfill that had been created next to the road filled with nappies and kitchen waste.
I can understand why people don't want travellers setting up camp in their neighbourhood.

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