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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think we can park here?

155 replies

ShopTattsyrup · 27/01/2025 16:05

AIBU to just ignore this letter and keep parking?

I live on a very short stretch of street that is just 4 terraces at the back of a church. Opposite our houses is the car park for the church and for it's church hall.

All 4 families who live on this stretch know eachother fairly well, no drives or garages and so the unoffical rule is that you park outside your own house and if you have a second car you park on the other side of the street behind the church (where there is space for two neatly parked cars while allowing a good clearance of the dropped curb entrance to the church car park).

Last week we all got the same letter, seemingly from this church, asking us to refrain from parking on the side next to the church as it impedes entry to our car park.

Now one of my neighbours has lived here for >20 years and the existing parking arrangement has never been an issue. I've lived here for 3 and the street is more than wide enough to have cars parked on both sides and drive comfortably through the centre. There's no double yellows etc.

What makes me think this letter is a load of bollocks is that the letter is signed from "St Christopher's Church" - surely if it were official it would say From Rev. John Smith or similar? Or be from the council?

To think we can park here?
OP posts:
mitogoshigg · 27/01/2025 16:10

It's from the church organisation, not an individual, not sure why you take issue with that. As to whether they have a case depends of whether they have a point, do any cars over hang the entrance

tropicalroses · 27/01/2025 16:09

ShopTattsyrup · 27/01/2025 16:05

AIBU to just ignore this letter and keep parking?

I live on a very short stretch of street that is just 4 terraces at the back of a church. Opposite our houses is the car park for the church and for it's church hall.

All 4 families who live on this stretch know eachother fairly well, no drives or garages and so the unoffical rule is that you park outside your own house and if you have a second car you park on the other side of the street behind the church (where there is space for two neatly parked cars while allowing a good clearance of the dropped curb entrance to the church car park).

Last week we all got the same letter, seemingly from this church, asking us to refrain from parking on the side next to the church as it impedes entry to our car park.

Now one of my neighbours has lived here for >20 years and the existing parking arrangement has never been an issue. I've lived here for 3 and the street is more than wide enough to have cars parked on both sides and drive comfortably through the centre. There's no double yellows etc.

What makes me think this letter is a load of bollocks is that the letter is signed from "St Christopher's Church" - surely if it were official it would say From Rev. John Smith or similar? Or be from the council?

If your blocking entry or making visibility poor then you can't park there. Its not the churches fault your houses don't have driveways.

By all means carry on but they have asked nicely so don't be surprised or offended when relationships sour.

Vaxtable · 27/01/2025 16:08

If there are no parking restrictions and they can leave the car park ok, and your map shows that I think, I would just ignore.

Alternatively I would send a letter back explaining there is no where else unless they would like to donate two spaces in theircar park, that there are no parking restrictions and no issue leaving the car park

Original poster
ShopTattsyrup · 27/01/2025 16:08

I should say - I don't think this church has a full time vicar attached. There's no vicarage or rectory here and there isn't one of those boards at the front that tell you the name of the vicar. Obviously if there was a vicarage opposite my house this would be much easier 🙃

OP posts:
WilderHawthorn · 27/01/2025 16:07

One of the church parishioners is probably a bit of a shit driver and doesn't like having the additional cars there. If you're not blocking the dropped curb, ignore and carry on.

Also, beautiful diagram! Grin