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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Neighbour and his england flag!

162 replies

incrediblyincredible · 15/07/2026 10:30

Our NDN are both 80, and we don’t have the best relationship with them, we feel they can be a bit inconsiderate in terms of boundary noise. We’ve had to mention a couple of things which have affected the enjoyment of our home. So we don’t really speak anymore and they have clearly taken offence despite us mentioning things in a polite way.

Anyway, the man has put up a large England flag on a pole on the joining fence. It’s right at the front of the house and the pole isn’t particularly high so the flag flaps in our faces or visitors faces when they open our gate to go down our walkway. This morning I got pissed off with it as the wind is always blowing our way so the flag is always over our boundary and it looks like it’s our flag as a result (just to add I love football and have no issues with the flag itself, just the positioning of it).
So this morning I wrapped it round the pole and opened my gate to make a point that it’s a walkway.
Anyway, I was sat in my living room and I heard the man come out and say “someone’s wrapped that up!” In an angry loud voice.
AIBU to think that he should realise it’s a bit inconsiderate and could put the flag in an area that doesn’t hang over our boundary?

OP posts:
Shelleyblueeyes · 15/07/2026 18:03

Let it go.

It's not going to be up much longer if it's only for the football.
If he has it up out to be patriotic all year round then thats another matter.

X

CraftyYankee · 15/07/2026 18:02

NicolaSturgeon · 15/07/2026 16:58

Just pin up an even larger Saltire above/behind it.

Name checks out 😁

PetulaGordeno · 15/07/2026 17:55

There are few occasions when I would suggest getting a huge Argentinian flag, but…

INX · 15/07/2026 17:53

likelysuspect · 15/07/2026 17:49

The OP says its the England flag, so how would that make it the Union Jack.

Which is not the England flag.

Indeed.

And the OP doesn't mention being at sea.

Unless she's forgotten to tell us her neighbour lives in the submarine next door...

Bullandbear · 15/07/2026 17:52

likelysuspect · 15/07/2026 17:49

The OP says its the England flag, so how would that make it the Union Jack.

Which is not the England flag.

Well done.

The flag of England is the St George’s cross - that would be the correct name, hence my question.

Tryanalogue · 15/07/2026 17:51

FrenchandSaunders · 15/07/2026 10:52

I'd chop it down ...

Slashing the flag itself is easier.

Or bleaching it.

Definitely don’t do either of those things.

likelysuspect · 15/07/2026 17:49

Bullandbear · 15/07/2026 15:24

Was the flag the Union Jack or St George’s cross?

The OP says its the England flag, so how would that make it the Union Jack.

Which is not the England flag.

francy99 · 15/07/2026 17:46

What about putting a tall piece of wood on your side of the boundary right beside the flag pole so the flag won’t flap onto your side

billycat321 · 15/07/2026 17:41

creep out in the night and set fire to it? Only joking

EasternStandard · 15/07/2026 17:41

likelysuspect · 15/07/2026 17:38

The England flag.

OP - dont worry it will come down tonight!!!

I hope this isn’t the case

likelysuspect · 15/07/2026 17:38

Nannyfannybanny · 15/07/2026 10:37

Do you mean the St George Cross?

The England flag.

OP - dont worry it will come down tonight!!!

Applesonthelawn · 15/07/2026 17:34

You're just being passive aggressive. If you are inconvenienced by it, and he's elderly and looking forward to the game, your starting move is to offer to reposition it for him.

ThreadGuardDog · 15/07/2026 17:28

Biscuitjockey · 15/07/2026 16:38

I just think there’s more important things going on in the world, Then to be complaining about aflah.

Do you ? Would you still feel the same if it was blocking your way every time you walked up and down your path ? There are definitely more important things going on in the world - still doesn’t give people the right to act like twats.

PetulaGordeno · 15/07/2026 17:27

Muffsies · 15/07/2026 16:13

Cheer for plucky England
On lager we will gorge
And throw our knickers to the wind
In honour of St George

And if a miracle happens,
The England team get to Sunday and win,
60 years of end can hurt,
As Parliament gets its very first Bin.

As we welcome in a new Prime Minister,
The Eyelashes finally gets the call,
Let’s hope he gets in the blower to Noel, and not Blair,
And No 10 is filled with the sounds of Wonderwall.

ThreadGuardDog · 15/07/2026 17:27

Floatlikeafeather2 · 15/07/2026 16:51

And where exactly are you, Kaz? If anywhere on this planet, it is very, very odd that you have never come across the phenomenon of winds that blow during hot weather, or winds that blow at face level or even right down to the ground. I am enjoying a lovely face level wind at this very moment, sitting in a doorway, out of the baking sun. It's even blowing at clothesline level and my washing is making the most of it. It's a very pretty sight. Granted, I wouldn't be enjoying it as much if it was wrapping a dirty great big flag around my face - in fact I would be very cross - but judging by the couple of flags I can see nearby, stretched out across the beautiful blue sky, it's definitely flag flying weather. Come outside and have a look around. It would be a shame for you to miss the experience (and the chance for you to educate yourself).

Love it.

ThreadGuardDog · 15/07/2026 17:25

NicolaSturgeon · 15/07/2026 16:58

Just pin up an even larger Saltire above/behind it.

Shouldn’t there be a piglet in between Camerons’ hands there, or am I thinking of something else ?

ThreadGuardDog · 15/07/2026 17:23

jollygoose · 15/07/2026 17:04

Omg some of you are such killjoys it's only a short competition get over it

Would you like to be assaulted by a flapping flag every time you ventured up and down your path ? Nothing wrong with him flying the flag - everything wrong with it interfering with his neighbour.

nevernotmaybe · 15/07/2026 17:17

ThreadGuardDog · 15/07/2026 17:01

Doesn’t apply to flags. Neighbour could have her prosecuted for criminal damage - it’s bonkers. He can be a bloody nuisance and she’s very limited in what she can do without escalating.

. . . . yes, damaging property isn't the unreasonable escalation and clearly the civilised way this situation should be dealt with.

Not everything everyone thinks is a nuisance, is to everyone else. We can't just say you can destroy anything that annoys you. We have systems in place, and the system expects you to try and sort it out between you as adults as a first step.

Although not always possible, I'm sure they can bring themselves to have a talk with an 80 year old. It's not a drug den of violent 20 year old male dealers.

jollygoose · 15/07/2026 17:04

Omg some of you are such killjoys it's only a short competition get over it

ThreadGuardDog · 15/07/2026 17:01

LilacReader · 15/07/2026 17:00

You know you can cut a tree branch down if it's overhanging your land!! Just saying!

Doesn’t apply to flags. Neighbour could have her prosecuted for criminal damage - it’s bonkers. He can be a bloody nuisance and she’s very limited in what she can do without escalating.

LilacReader · 15/07/2026 17:00

You know you can cut a tree branch down if it's overhanging your land!! Just saying!

ThreadGuardDog · 15/07/2026 16:59

Krevlornswath · 15/07/2026 16:15

I wouldn't be pleased about it but is it likely to be the case it comes down once the football is done with? if so I'd leave it.

Could you place something on your boundary that conceals it or stops it flapping over?

I was thinking the same thing. Obv OP can’t attach anything to the top of his fence, but there’s nothing stopping her putting something next to the fence which is high enough to block the flag from coming over. Something like a wide planter with a high trellis panel or even a couple of them. She’d have to check whether there are any rules about fence height at the front of the properties but if not that might be an easy and cheap solution.

NicolaSturgeon · 15/07/2026 16:58

Just pin up an even larger Saltire above/behind it.

Neighbour and his england flag!
Persephonia1966 · 15/07/2026 16:53

Noodles1234 · 15/07/2026 16:48

Can you pop some cypress trees or shrub to keep it on their side? I imagine it is a World Cup thing and be gone soon.

it amazes me how so many people think this is utterly fine and not annoying to others as on the border and flapping your side.

Yeah

I really really want England to win and have flags up. But I would still be annoyed at a flag at head height flapping in my face everytime I walked through the gate. It probably would increase the irritation if I already disliked the person who's put it up but either way it's annoying.

nevernotmaybe · 15/07/2026 16:52

Slowfaded · 15/07/2026 10:39

Ask him if he has a right of overhang over your property. If he doesn't, he's trespassing and tell him you'll deal with it how you see fit.

There is zero chance a transient blowing of a flag will ever be dealt with as anything like that or stopped.

But while at that height and hitting people in the face, that is a nuisance and can have action taken against.