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CF allotment thief thread no 4 - Babs’s dodgy solicitor and TV producers looking to cast for the role of Penfold?

990 replies

YaMuvva · 09/05/2024 15:24

New thread! Last one was here
www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5049200-cf-allotment-thief-part-3-the-plot-thickens-and-auditions-begin-for-the-west-end-musical?page=38&reply=135136744

So a quick update.

DH dropped me off for my surgery this morning then dropped the kids at school before heading to the allotment. Babs was there gardening as were some other people on their own plots. All her crap was still there

DH went up and reminded her that she needs to be off the plot by the 20th. She said that she is awaiting advice from her solicitor to see if she can challenge us. She also said if the solicitor says she has to be off, she will be gone by the 20th but isn’t giving it up without checking if she has rights first. She did a fair bit of guilt tripping to DH about how she has spent 10 years being part of a community and having a hobby and she now has to give it all up but he held strong and told her, unless she comes back with a legitimate legal claim her property will be off the allotment by the 21st - wether it’s removed by her or by him.

However - enter Penfold stage right

Penfold is what we are calling the allotment neighbour who marched over from the other side of the plots (because that’s who he looks like). He started shouting at DH saying “You’re a bully! Fancy picking on an old lady and taking her allotment off her after all her years of hard work”. He pointed out it’s his allotment now and Penfold said that “just because your name is on a piece of paper it doesn’t give you the right to steal it off it’s rightful owner”. He then start saying “What do you know about gardening pretty boy? These allotments should be for real gardeners not pretty boys like you”

When DH told me this I laughed so hard I thought my stitches may burst 😂 DH IS very pretty but he’s also mid-40’s and hasn’t been called pretty in many many years. We are in semi-rural Yorkshire though and a man wearing a top that isn’t either blue black or white is considered a feminine.

When DH stated he does actually know about gardening, Penfold was all “Yeah right yeah right all you know about is putting your make up on” 🤣🤣 and said how these allotment owners have been around for decades he can’t just barge in and kick people out. DH said he was half expecting Penfold to say “this is a local allotment for local people”.

Then it was BABS of all people who told Penfold to STFU. Not quite those words but she said “oh do calm down Nigel”. The other plot owners just kept their heads down apparently. DH took off in the end but he is considering buying a Danger Mouse t-shirt to wear when he gardens. I’ve told him I can help him apply his make up 😂.

Anyway Babs’s words don’t exactly fill me with confidence but it’s better than flat out refusing to leave I suppose. I’m absolutely confident that legally she hasn’t a leg to stand on, but that doesn’t mean some dodgy solicitor won’t claim otherwise for a bit of easy money off her. Either way unless there is a claim that has legs (highly unlikely) DH will be round on the 21st to set up his stuff. PP were right about insane allotment owners - but we are just gonna have to lump it and not let Penfold ruin our time there.

OP posts:
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17
Noshowlomo · 09/05/2024 15:27

This is wild! Thank you for the update. Tell the pretty boy thank you as well 😂

CwmYoy · 09/05/2024 15:28

#teamprettybpy

Cosmosforbreakfast · 09/05/2024 15:30

Your husband should have told Penfold he was welcome to host Barbara on his land even though his name is on it.

TweediePie · 09/05/2024 15:31

What an absolute corker of an update!

SerendipityJane · 09/05/2024 15:33

“just because your name is on a piece of paper it doesn’t give you the right to steal it off it’s rightful owner”.

You can prove anything with facts

krustykittens · 09/05/2024 15:34

He sounds like a nutter and a bigot! I do feel a bit sorry for Babs as she has to give up something she loves without it being her choice but she must have known this day was coming? But if it meant so much to her, she should have offered to buy it herself. I am so infuriated on your behalf that Sally Seller is not getting back to you - this mess is her making.

Zonder · 09/05/2024 15:36

Cosmosforbreakfast · 09/05/2024 15:30

Your husband should have told Penfold he was welcome to host Barbara on his land even though his name is on it.

This! It's not too late!

EnglishBluebell · 09/05/2024 15:36

Knowing the area you're in and how batshit crazy people are here (yes, including me in many ways) I'm not at all surprised! In the 1800s visitors described natives here as crazy so nothing's changed. OP, look up what Charles Dickens described the town as! 100% accurate

I am mentally trying to guess which site it is though, just so I can drive past for a glimpse of Babs & Penfold! 🤓🤪

NisekoWhistler · 09/05/2024 15:37

Goodness me I can't believe the cheek of Penfold!

Sparklfairy · 09/05/2024 15:37

just because your name is on a piece of paper it doesn’t give you the right to steal it off it’s rightful owner

I'd have laughed in his face at this. 'That 'piece of paper' makes ME the rightful owner you nitwit!'

artant · 09/05/2024 15:38

I mean, if Babs was so keen to keep the allotment (and fair enough, she probably is) the sensible approach would have been to get your vendor to sell it to her when she put the house on the market. “My friend let me use this land so all future owners should let me use it too” isn’t much of an argument.

OhmygodDont · 09/05/2024 15:41

#prettyboy will get his allotment 😂

As if she doesn’t know by now she has no rights the letter was received ages ago. She’s clutching at straws. I also dare say penfold probably fancy’s babs 😂

Maroonedjam · 09/05/2024 15:42

Blimey.

artant · 09/05/2024 15:42

I think the message to Penfold (and other allotment holders) is that the allotment was one of the things that attracted you to the property and vacant possession was promised.

BettyBardMacDonald · 09/05/2024 15:43

Thanks for your update, and hope you recover quickly.

Your DH should have told Penfold that he (Penfold) should give Babs all or part of his allotment, if he's so hellbent on her having her precious space.

I can't believe she thinks she has any sort of legal claim. You were beyond generous in giving her a month; I would have given her a long weekend to clear her plants and her crap from my property.

godmum56 · 09/05/2024 15:44

First of all I am glad your surgery went well. Secondly sorry to hear that you have a Penfold even though I laughed at the update.

dizzydizzydizzy · 09/05/2024 15:44

OMG you just could not make this up. Hilarious!

NamingConundrum · 09/05/2024 15:46

He should have said if he feels so strongly that she be allowed an allotment he's welcome to share his own with her!

Cosmosforbreakfast · 09/05/2024 15:46

She's probably bluffing about waiting to hear back from her solicitor about whether she can challenge you or not. Likely she just wants to scare you a bit. I would just avoid any interaction or engagement with her or Penfold and let her vacate when the due date arrives. Ignore Penfold after that, he'll be happily sharing his plot with Barbara by then anyway principled man that he is.

VJBR · 09/05/2024 15:51

Blimey. Some people!

Pineapples1234 · 09/05/2024 15:54

DH said he was half expecting Penfold to say “this is a local allotment for local people”.

I spat my tea laughing at this. Now I have to go mop up my dress.

Penfold secretly kinda fancies Bulldog Babs, she's everything he wishes he was. But he's so homophobic he's probably also gay and so far in the closet he doesn't even realise himself, which has got to be confusing for him. I vote DH's Dangermouse t-shirt be pink, that he wear eyeliner and smiles and winks at Penfold every time he sees him. That should make Penfold stay over the far side of the field on his own plot, where he can simmer with anger at his conflicted feelings to his hearts content, whilst wondering if there's something about the soil on your plot that makes him fancy everyone who gardens there.

You'll easily win the other allotment holders round with cake though.

BettyBardMacDonald · 09/05/2024 15:56

Definitely pink t-shirt and eyeliner. Perhaps a bit of black nail varnish, too?

ForestForever · 09/05/2024 15:58

Ive been quietly following this since the beginning and first off would like to say I hope you have a speedy recovery! Some people are just plain mad. Oddly, I used to work with a Nigel who was a dead ringer for Penfold also and such was his nickname. He was a really strange man as well, I can’t believe more than one of him exist. God forbid! 😳😳

YaMuvva · 09/05/2024 15:59

Cosmosforbreakfast · 09/05/2024 15:46

She's probably bluffing about waiting to hear back from her solicitor about whether she can challenge you or not. Likely she just wants to scare you a bit. I would just avoid any interaction or engagement with her or Penfold and let her vacate when the due date arrives. Ignore Penfold after that, he'll be happily sharing his plot with Barbara by then anyway principled man that he is.

I’m worried you’re right! But I doubt we will hear from her again

OP posts:
YaMuvva · 09/05/2024 16:00

BettyBardMacDonald · 09/05/2024 15:56

Definitely pink t-shirt and eyeliner. Perhaps a bit of black nail varnish, too?

I quite fancy a man in eyeliner. When I dated as a youngster I always went for the goth eyeliners blokes!

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