Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
ANonEMouseYouSir · 07/12/2024 16:23

This reply has been withdrawn

Message removed as it quotes a deleted post.

pinkyredrose · 07/12/2024 16:23

This reply has been deleted

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

She could be in hampstead?

RLmadmum · 07/12/2024 16:19

I bet she's on here and 💩 herself at your update 🤣

WearyAuldWumman · 07/12/2024 16:01

republicofjam · 07/12/2024 15:52

This is horrible, I'm so sorry.

Thank you.

Orders76 · 07/12/2024 15:57

Maybe I'm very naive but I did wonder if those stealing fruit are actually hungry in COL

republicofjam · 07/12/2024 15:52

WearyAuldWumman · 07/12/2024 15:42

During lockdown, someone in my hometown had an established shrub dug up from their front garden.

The council had every single bedding plant removed from a local park.

Prior to lockdown I had several potted plants removed from my front garden. I now make sure to weight any pots down and to have my surname and postcode inscribed on the bottom and inside of my pots. Even so, my husband got back to our house one Sunday evening to see two young men walking one of my weighted planters down the garden path between them. They dropped the planter and ran.

I've had to mark the name and memorial numbers on vase inserts at the local Garden of Remembrance. For last Christmas, I placed a couple of (bought) weighted pots of holly and berries in the memorial stones for my parents and my husband. They walked.

This is horrible, I'm so sorry.

WearyAuldWumman · 07/12/2024 15:46

MaisieMacabe · 07/12/2024 15:45

@WearyAuldWumman I'm sorry to hear that about your loved ones' memorials. 💐That's stooping to a whole new level.

Thank you.

MaisieMacabe · 07/12/2024 15:45

@WearyAuldWumman I'm sorry to hear that about your loved ones' memorials. 💐That's stooping to a whole new level.

WearyAuldWumman · 07/12/2024 15:42

Ovalframes · 07/12/2024 15:34

I live in north London. A couple of years ago someone stole 3 newly planted shrubs out of my garden. A neighbour actually had a tree stolen out of his garden. Mind you, cars are stolen off people's drives every night of the week here. Then when you consider the shop lifting and pick pocketing it is like the wild west.

During lockdown, someone in my hometown had an established shrub dug up from their front garden.

The council had every single bedding plant removed from a local park.

Prior to lockdown I had several potted plants removed from my front garden. I now make sure to weight any pots down and to have my surname and postcode inscribed on the bottom and inside of my pots. Even so, my husband got back to our house one Sunday evening to see two young men walking one of my weighted planters down the garden path between them. They dropped the planter and ran.

I've had to mark the name and memorial numbers on vase inserts at the local Garden of Remembrance. For last Christmas, I placed a couple of (bought) weighted pots of holly and berries in the memorial stones for my parents and my husband. They walked.

MaisieMacabe · 07/12/2024 15:41

WearyAuldWumman · 07/12/2024 15:33

The CF appears to have taken rather more than a few sprigs.

Too true. An IKEA bag full, and when they returned the holly, they didn't even donate the bag.
That's really a step too far.

Ovalframes · 07/12/2024 15:34

I live in north London. A couple of years ago someone stole 3 newly planted shrubs out of my garden. A neighbour actually had a tree stolen out of his garden. Mind you, cars are stolen off people's drives every night of the week here. Then when you consider the shop lifting and pick pocketing it is like the wild west.

WearyAuldWumman · 07/12/2024 15:33

MaisieMacabe · 07/12/2024 14:38

I never said - your claim - that people could have what they want whenever they want.
Nope 👎
Some sprigs ain't that 😂

The CF appears to have taken rather more than a few sprigs.

MaisieMacabe · 07/12/2024 15:26

republicofjam · 07/12/2024 15:22

You're very sweet, I'm already sorted with a non pilfered wreath but thanks all the same.

❤🌲😘

republicofjam · 07/12/2024 15:22

MaisieMacabe · 07/12/2024 15:13

Oh my goodness! Fantastic advice 😸
You're definitely on my wavelength. Cheers!
Discount for you, my friend! 😜!.

You're very sweet, I'm already sorted with a non pilfered wreath but thanks all the same.

MaisieMacabe · 07/12/2024 15:13

republicofjam · 07/12/2024 15:12

You see, you can pay attention when you want to. But seriously, I'd crack on with the wreaths whilst you can still flog them as I suspect the game is up now 😬

Oh my goodness! Fantastic advice 😸
You're definitely on my wavelength. Cheers!
Discount for you, my friend! 😜!.

republicofjam · 07/12/2024 15:12

MaisieMacabe · 07/12/2024 15:02

Wasn't it £85, @republicofjam ? I'll need to check my price list! 😂

You see, you can pay attention when you want to. But seriously, I'd crack on with the wreaths whilst you can still flog them as I suspect the game is up now 😬

MissMoneyFairy · 07/12/2024 15:07

NewYearNewStarts · 07/12/2024 15:04

They live in Richmond or Barnes, but want us to know that they are nice, level headed people who we may empathise with.

There are plenty of green leafy london suburbs.

Snugglemonkey · 07/12/2024 15:07

Havalona · 06/12/2024 19:01

Why the default to name calling, picture taking, revenge seeking ire?

I personally wouldn't care if anyone took some of my hedge as long as they didn't leave a big gaping hole or something.

I have huge lavendar at each corner of my drive nearest the footpath, and a couple of bay bushes. People take some all the time. I take it as a compliment.

It grows again.

But I don't live in a naice part of London, we are actually friendly around here and speak to and know our neighbours.

Get a bloody life.

What if you were growing it to use yourself?

NewYearNewStarts · 07/12/2024 15:04

NewYearNewStarts · 07/12/2024 15:04

They live in Richmond or Barnes, but want us to know that they are nice, level headed people who we may empathise with.

That was re the ‘weird remark’ post.

NewYearNewStarts · 07/12/2024 15:04

They live in Richmond or Barnes, but want us to know that they are nice, level headed people who we may empathise with.

starstar84 · 07/12/2024 15:03

WomenInConstruction · 07/12/2024 06:45

Agree.
This CF and her man are clearly scummy sorts, if you're going to return your stolen items don't dump them this way!
It would have shown a bit more redeemable character if they'd at least left them in the bag so they could easily be moved.
Might even believe they were a bit sorry then, whereas this is the fuck you version of the fit of conscience, so definitely just wanting to save her own skin and avoid kick back.
CF.

This. They clearly couldn’t even bring themselves to donate the tatty old ikea bag to you 😂

TheBluntTurtle · 07/12/2024 15:03

godmum56 · 07/12/2024 14:59

Its not foraging when its in someone's garden, its THEFT.

yep I said she is stealing - see first line 👍🏻 ‘foraging’ on nature reserves and parks is also stealing - hence why I said it’s illegal and if OP can get the ladies details she should report her to the landowner.

Bumcake · 07/12/2024 15:02

This reply has been deleted

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

What a truly weird remark. Care to explain?

MaisieMacabe · 07/12/2024 15:02

Wasn't it £85, @republicofjam ? I'll need to check my price list! 😂

MaisieMacabe · 07/12/2024 15:01

republicofjam · 07/12/2024 15:00

No problem, appreciate it must be tricky trying to make £80 festive wreaths and read posts properly at the same time. Not to mention remember what you have written yourself.
Happy Christmas! 🤣😅

You feel my pain! Those wreaths won't tie themselves, plus I'm nearly out of ivy...😂😂

Swipe left for the next trending thread