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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:
Fink · 06/12/2024 20:55

£85?! I'm missing a trick! I'm also in the London suburbs; I make a massive one for my church for free. It takes me about 5 hours to collect all the holly and ivy (from my own garden and from public land with the permission of the council) and 8 hours to make the wreath, with extra time to bake orange slices etc. I could be charging a fortune!

Merrymess · 06/12/2024 20:55

Mrsredlipstick · 06/12/2024 20:49

Public warning,
Seen in the vicinity of old leafy London
The Phantom Holly Snitcher

Do not approach this person, she may be armed with secateurs and a large blue holdall.
A generous reward is offered for the return of any booty this CF has nicked. Plus classics status for the OP. 😁

If this is the standard for classics these days,MN really is fucked.

allthatfalafel · 06/12/2024 20:54

12FreeRangeEggs · 06/12/2024 20:20

She wasn’t driving she was walking.

Would rather not say which part of London I live in.

DD was with me and whilst I have been on MN DD did a bit of online Agatha Christie-ing.

So the Holly thief runs a wreath making workshop from her kitchen table. No idea of dates but wondering whether she has one on this weekend??? Tempted to email an enquiry to see whether she has any spare places on one of her courses and just turn up. I haven’t made my own wreath yet after all…

You don't even need to book a place on the course, just find out what the address is.

Then turn up and dig up some of the plants in her garden or take the inevitable wreath she'll have on her front door 😆

MaisieMacabe · 06/12/2024 20:53

Does she also use an allotment which isn't hers?.

OhshutupSimonyounobhead · 06/12/2024 20:51

YABU for saying you live in a 'naice' area.

Mrsredlipstick · 06/12/2024 20:49

Public warning,
Seen in the vicinity of old leafy London
The Phantom Holly Snitcher

Do not approach this person, she may be armed with secateurs and a large blue holdall.
A generous reward is offered for the return of any booty this CF has nicked. Plus classics status for the OP. 😁

WooleyMunky · 06/12/2024 20:47

A bag of soot and an orange for her on Christmas!!!

MaisieMacabe · 06/12/2024 20:45

MrsSkylerWhite · 06/12/2024 20:39

Since when was Lewisham a green suburb?

I was joking.
See above.

MaisieMacabe · 06/12/2024 20:44

Merrymess · 06/12/2024 20:43

Are people seriously suggesting the OP rings the police? Only on MN.

It's bonkers, isn't it?

Mostlyoblivious · 06/12/2024 20:43

12FreeRangeEggs · 06/12/2024 20:20

She wasn’t driving she was walking.

Would rather not say which part of London I live in.

DD was with me and whilst I have been on MN DD did a bit of online Agatha Christie-ing.

So the Holly thief runs a wreath making workshop from her kitchen table. No idea of dates but wondering whether she has one on this weekend??? Tempted to email an enquiry to see whether she has any spare places on one of her courses and just turn up. I haven’t made my own wreath yet after all…

Hahaha ask her if her materials are ethically sourced and are British grown - see where that convo takes her 😂 this is a great story to tell at Christmas parties - she’s at least given you that the cheeky mare

Merrymess · 06/12/2024 20:43

Are people seriously suggesting the OP rings the police? Only on MN.

HazelTiger · 06/12/2024 20:42

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 06/12/2024 20:40

MaisieMacabe · 06/12/2024 20:36

I was actually joking because I used to live in Lewisham and know what it's like. Not just holly got knicked.

Right, that makes more sense! Grin

(Nearly 40 years in Lewisham. It's not as gritty as it was, but ...)

MrsSkylerWhite · 06/12/2024 20:39

Since when was Lewisham a green suburb?

Luckyducky10 · 06/12/2024 20:37

Ring 999!!! Omg 😳 that is ridiculous advice!!!

id ring 101 and log it with them, it is theft but a non emergency,

Agapornis · 06/12/2024 20:37

Whip her with holly twigs!

MaisieMacabe · 06/12/2024 20:36

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 06/12/2024 20:28

OP said: We live in a naice part of London which thinks it’s the countryside but is actually just a green suburb. This doesn't describe any part of Lewisham, not even Blackheath. Must be somewhere on the outskirts, surely.

I was actually joking because I used to live in Lewisham and know what it's like. Not just holly got knicked.

MrsSkylerWhite · 06/12/2024 20:32

WTAF?

A sad, seasonal warning. We have several very large, fruiting holly trees. Every year without fail chancers knock, claiming to be looking for donations for local churches. Which of course they’re not, they’re flogging it at boot sales and “farmers’ “ markets. Don’t be fooled.

Hiddenmnetter · 06/12/2024 20:31

Merrymess · 06/12/2024 20:28

No part of London naice or otherwise thinks it's the countryside.

everywhere outside the m25 is Scotland isn’t it?

Lifeomars · 06/12/2024 20:31

What an utter brass neck she had. I would have wanted to push her into the holly bush and stab her with the secateurs. She could have at least had the good grace to scuttle off looking furtive and ashamed. To front it out and suggest you buy one her wreaths made with hour holly is staggering. I hope you track her down and bring shame on her

Merrymess · 06/12/2024 20:28

No part of London naice or otherwise thinks it's the countryside.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 06/12/2024 20:28

MaisieMacabe · 06/12/2024 20:24

I was thinking Lewisham

OP said: We live in a naice part of London which thinks it’s the countryside but is actually just a green suburb. This doesn't describe any part of Lewisham, not even Blackheath. Must be somewhere on the outskirts, surely.

Stormyweatheroutthere · 06/12/2024 20:25

Don't let this go op. She intends selling stolen goods to innocent customers... Or stake out your bush with a super soaker.. Put food colouring in the water..

MaisieMacabe · 06/12/2024 20:24

stargazerlil · 06/12/2024 20:14

Blackheath or Dulwich Village posssibly.

I was thinking Lewisham

Barney16 · 06/12/2024 20:23

You could book a place on her wreath making course 😊i wouldn't be brave enough but it would be a truly lovely revenge.

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