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AIBU?

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CF Stole my hedge

492 replies

12FreeRangeEggs · 06/12/2024 18:09

We live in a naice part of London which thinks it’s the countryside but is actually just a green suburb. To the side and front of my property is our hedge. It’s a mix hedge; Holly, Ivy and other trees. Our Holly has been very good this autumn and we have lots of red berries. I make a door wreath for my front door each Christmas, and I usually forage from my own hedge to make my wreath. So far this year I haven’t gotten around to it but was hoping to make my wreath this weekend.

Well, I returned this afternoon and there was a lady stood on my driveway with a large blue IKEA bag in one hand and a pair of pruners in the other, helping herself to my holly.

I politely challenged her, but she didn’t seem to think that she was doing anything wrong helping herself to my Holly in my hedge. Infact when I protested that I was going to make my own wreath with my own Holly she told me she had a business making Christmas wreaths and usually only made 10 a season despite huge demand because she simply doesn’t have the time but was willing to make a professional wreath for me using my own Holly and charge me £85. I, less politely this time, declined her offer for a professional wreath and asked for my Holly back. She refused and accused me of being bitter and uncharitable.

OP posts:
Merryoldgoat · 07/12/2024 00:48

This has genuinely been one of my favourite threads ever 👏🏽👏🏽

BrightOrangeDahlias · 07/12/2024 00:00

SleepPrettyDarling · 06/12/2024 23:37

You can’t exactly stick the holly sprigs and berries back on. What are you going to do now??

Make some wreaths and sell them for £80...?

murasaki · 06/12/2024 23:58

SleepPrettyDarling · 06/12/2024 23:37

You can’t exactly stick the holly sprigs and berries back on. What are you going to do now??

Taking them to the cheeky fucker's wreath making class would be a funny move....

murasaki · 06/12/2024 23:57

She must be a mumsnetter to have returned it. My guess was Richmond. Shes a cheeky mofo and no mistake.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 06/12/2024 23:56

I think she must be a MNetter who found this thread and the bit about your dd finding her Instagram. It’s the only explanation!

WearyAuldWumman · 06/12/2024 23:56

Mostlyoblivious · 06/12/2024 23:50

😂 is she one of the 2% who voted YABU do you think!?

You know what, she’s obviously realised she’s in the wrong - not as good as her apologising however it’s some form of contrition.

I would thank your daughter for this - if she hadn’t cracked the case your boughs would be bare!

I'm more cynical than you. There's no contrition, in my view: she's just scared of bad publicity.

Has anyone made a thread about making wreaths on here?

Mostlyoblivious · 06/12/2024 23:50

😂 is she one of the 2% who voted YABU do you think!?

You know what, she’s obviously realised she’s in the wrong - not as good as her apologising however it’s some form of contrition.

I would thank your daughter for this - if she hadn’t cracked the case your boughs would be bare!

BeensOnToost · 06/12/2024 23:39

Roryno · 06/12/2024 23:36

I doubt it, he was probably sent out to return it when she realised loads of Mumsnetters were working out who she was/what her business is.

Surely it would be more damaging to her if that was the case. If she wanted to repair her rep she would need to send a free wreath and a lengthy apology.

I'd still track her down and tag her implying that you've used strong pesticides on your Holly and they should not be handled or placed indoors die to the risk to human health so anyone buying a wreath should vet their supplier...

Iloveburgerswaymorethanishould · 06/12/2024 23:38

There’s some lovely holly (with loads and loads of berries) on a bush near my work. I was going to pinch a sprig (literally to put in my house and only one). This has made me realise that it actually belongs to someone and I feel awful!!! I’m probably going to get shot down and I’ll take it! I just didn’t think for one moment the owner would mind!!!! So if nothing else happens regarding yours being stolen (and that’s exactly what it is!!), you’re stopped someone else from doing the same!! Going to sleep now and think about how I need to rewire my mind!! Thankyou!!

SleepPrettyDarling · 06/12/2024 23:37

You can’t exactly stick the holly sprigs and berries back on. What are you going to do now??

SnoopySantaPaws · 06/12/2024 23:37

OldJohn · 06/12/2024 18:22

As the thief was still at the scene a quick response from the police would have her apprehended and charged. If she still had the secateurs and the holly that is adequate proof that she intended to steal.
If catching a thief is not the police’s job I’m not sure what their job is.

Bloody hell, you were actually serious?! I assumed you were joking.

Roryno · 06/12/2024 23:36

BeensOnToost · 06/12/2024 23:34

Sounds like her husband has had words with her...

I doubt it, he was probably sent out to return it when she realised loads of Mumsnetters were working out who she was/what her business is.

WearyAuldWumman · 06/12/2024 23:34

WearyAuldWumman · 06/12/2024 23:33

Yup!

Wisnae me! I've got my own holly and I live in Scotland.

Mind you...I would say that, wouldn't I?

BeensOnToost · 06/12/2024 23:34

12FreeRangeEggs · 06/12/2024 23:22

Errr I’ve just got my Holly back.

Watching Netflix together and DH received a security camera notification. Thinking it could only be a car thief at this time of night he checked the footage and we saw a man in a baseball cap walk on the driveway, empty a bag of Holly onto the driveway then swiftly retreat 😲

Sounds like her husband has had words with her...

WearyAuldWumman · 06/12/2024 23:33

Roryno · 06/12/2024 23:31

How funny!
Do we think the thief lady is a mumsnetter who has seen this thread and realised that people have worked out what her business is?

Yup!

WickedWitchOfTheEast87 · 06/12/2024 23:33

OMG what a CF of the highest order!! I don't think I'll be picking my jaw up off the floor until after Christmas! 😱😱😱

@12FreeRangeEggs I would have bloody snatched that bag off her but at least you got the holly back. However please out this thieving cheeky fucker think of it as cheeky fucker karma 🤣

Roryno · 06/12/2024 23:31

How funny!
Do we think the thief lady is a mumsnetter who has seen this thread and realised that people have worked out what her business is?

WearyAuldWumman · 06/12/2024 23:31

12FreeRangeEggs · 06/12/2024 23:22

Errr I’ve just got my Holly back.

Watching Netflix together and DH received a security camera notification. Thinking it could only be a car thief at this time of night he checked the footage and we saw a man in a baseball cap walk on the driveway, empty a bag of Holly onto the driveway then swiftly retreat 😲

I wonder whether CF is on Mumsnet?

waves at CF

Merrymess · 06/12/2024 23:29

12FreeRangeEggs · 06/12/2024 23:22

Errr I’ve just got my Holly back.

Watching Netflix together and DH received a security camera notification. Thinking it could only be a car thief at this time of night he checked the footage and we saw a man in a baseball cap walk on the driveway, empty a bag of Holly onto the driveway then swiftly retreat 😲

Blimey.

12FreeRangeEggs · 06/12/2024 23:22

Errr I’ve just got my Holly back.

Watching Netflix together and DH received a security camera notification. Thinking it could only be a car thief at this time of night he checked the footage and we saw a man in a baseball cap walk on the driveway, empty a bag of Holly onto the driveway then swiftly retreat 😲

OP posts:
WomenInConstruction · 06/12/2024 22:33

Breadcat24 · 06/12/2024 22:30

why did you not just grab the bag off her?

Edited

I imagine that's in the list of could'a should'a things that the op was gnashing her teeth about afterwards.
But when some mental bitch strikes out of the blue like that it's not surprising if you don't react exactly as one might if you were expecting Lady CF the First from Madbintland to raid your bush.

Breadcat24 · 06/12/2024 22:30

why did you not just grab the bag off her?

NeshButUpNorth · 06/12/2024 22:27

OP: Would you recognise her?
If not, I'd leave it for now

If you do, and are sure you have found her, send her an invoice as someone else mentioned, and if you can be bothered see if your home insurance includes legal cover, to get advice, and possibly a (free to you) solicitor's letter sent out.
Otherwise she could return and keep doing this.

0nlyM3 · 06/12/2024 22:06

We have a large female (berried) variegated holly bush at the front of the house which local floral arrangers are drawn to at this time of the year. I’ve always agreed to them taking from it providing it remains tidy and I’ve never had a problem. (If they’re taking it without permission they’d appear on the Ring doorbell but they aren’t.)
To have had someone take your holly without asking, argue and try to charge you is outrageous. She is unbelievably hard faced.
I’d mention she’d taken from the common, local wooded area and your garden on X date at X time because surely someone must have seen or recognised her. My next move would be to leave reviews about her kitchen business mentioning you hope participants can identify from the berried holly (variegated or not - be specific) which was purloined from X postcode area with aggravation by this disreputable woman. That should make them question her morals and price. Shun the shameless cow. Well done to your DD!

Whyherewego · 06/12/2024 21:50

Toastandbutterand · 06/12/2024 21:31

Hey op.

I haven't got time to read the whole thread but Ive book marked as I'm interested in the responses.
Someone did this to me 2 or 3 weeks ago, when I went out to tell her to stop she started filming me and said I was harassing her and her son who she had with her (was in a sling so 3 months old?).

She's come back twice and stripped the neighbours hedges too.

I'm too scared to say anything to her directly after she filmed me but I'd dearly like to kick her.

My daughter took her photo and put it in the neighborhood WhatsApp group but noone else seems to care. We're all in housing association properties. I grow fruit and veg in my front garden in the summer and I'm dreading her coming back.

I'd just get my phone out and film her. She's not actually entitled to take your shrubbery ! So call her bluff!

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