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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:
Thread gallery
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BigButtons · 09/05/2024 16:01

Quite bonkers!

AwBlessm · 09/05/2024 16:05

Thanks for the update! I still don't understand why Babs and crew aren't mad at Sally.

therealcookiemonster · 09/05/2024 16:06

@YaMuvva it's only right after this that your DH always goes to the allotment wearing a full face of makeup

PamPamPamPam · 09/05/2024 16:06

Oh my god have you thought about messing with Penfold a bit when you do take full ownership of the plot? Could you spend a few days standing about with pretend drawings talking loudly and start measuring up for a bijou skating space or something? Or a hot tub?!

YaMuvva · 09/05/2024 16:08

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! 😳😳

He didn’t live on North Yorkshire did he??

OP posts:
eurochick · 09/05/2024 16:12

Penfold clearly wants to show Babs his prize courgette.

EmilyTheCriminal · 09/05/2024 16:13

Christ what a loony.

AwBlessm · 09/05/2024 16:14

Any of those people could just give their allotment to Babs. But they won't, because they want to enjoy their own property. Just like you do.

I'm so angry on your behalf, OP. Hope you recover well.

therealcookiemonster · 09/05/2024 16:14

eurochick · 09/05/2024 16:12

Penfold clearly wants to show Babs his prize courgette.

that is if they are not playing hide the zucchini already

myfaceismyown · 09/05/2024 16:21

I am sure Babs did not appreciate Penfold calling her an old lady! They are both nuts though, Babs has never owned the land, just borrowed it. @AwBlessm I agree, they should be mad at Sally for leaving this mess...

YaMuvva · 09/05/2024 16:24

myfaceismyown · 09/05/2024 16:21

I am sure Babs did not appreciate Penfold calling her an old lady! They are both nuts though, Babs has never owned the land, just borrowed it. @AwBlessm I agree, they should be mad at Sally for leaving this mess...

I said to DH what did Babs do when he said old lady- he said “Dunno wasn’t looking at her” 🙄 useless pretty boy that he is

OP posts:
Pineapples1234 · 09/05/2024 16:25

It's weird that Penfold is talking about Babs being part of the community, as if that can't continue. She lives in the village, can grow veg in her own huge garden and chat about it, can visit her friends allotment plots etc.

He's acting like you and DH have set her house on fire and driven her, with pitchforks poking her backside, out of the village and high up onto the Yorkshire Moors where she'll surely die of exposure amongst the heather and gorse (or whatever plants Yorkshire has), for no reason other than you don't like her face.

YaMuvva · 09/05/2024 16:25

Because if I was only earli 60’s or so I’d be VERY pissed off at someone calling me an old lady

OP posts:
YaMuvva · 09/05/2024 16:27

Anyway I am in dire need of cheering up as this is a very hot very noisy ward (although the staff are amazing at looking after me) I’ve been advised to sleep but as much chance of me getting Kip on the middle of the M1 - so can we talk about who would play Penfold? I’m thinking Stephen Graham in jam jar glasses. He does ‘angry’ quite well and I think he’s quite short too

OP posts:
flipent · 09/05/2024 16:30

Surely Toby Jones must have a shot at Penfold?

YaMuvva · 09/05/2024 16:31

flipent · 09/05/2024 16:30

Surely Toby Jones must have a shot at Penfold?

OMG YES!

genius!

OP posts:
WhamBamThankU · 09/05/2024 16:32

I am gripped. GRIPPED I tell you!

Zonder · 09/05/2024 16:34

YaMuvva · 09/05/2024 16:31

OMG YES!

genius!

Especially since I think he has to have a role in everything now!

WiddlinDiddlin · 09/05/2024 16:34

Whatsis name... 'I bloody love crisps'...

Adrian Scarborough, he'd be a great jumped up irate little Penfold!

WiddlinDiddlin · 09/05/2024 16:35

I see Toby Jones as more of a thoughtful 'sitting on the fence in a dignified manner' type of allotmenter, who Babs thinks is on her side but actually he isn't really on anyone side but his own (cos he wants to win the fattest marrow contest at the local agri show).

ArrrMeHearties · 09/05/2024 16:37

@YaMuvva I had been wondering how things were going. Hope your recovery is smooth after your surgery

ziipidydodah · 09/05/2024 16:39

I also know a north-Yorkshire-dwelling Nigel, who looks like Penfold 😅How many of them are there?

Silvers11 · 09/05/2024 16:39

@YaMuvva Glad the op went ok, and clearly you didn't have to wait hours before you got the op.

I had a laugh abut 'Penfold' but if Babs is still there and so are all her plants and shed, are you sure your OH can just go in on 21st May if Babs is still there and get rid of all her stuff - or are you going to have to do some kind of formal eviction? Last thing either of you need is to act illegally or that will give her ammunition? What did your solicitor say about that, if she doesn't respond to the letter?

Foggymcfogson · 09/05/2024 16:41

When dh goes to remove her stuff he should ask any of them there who is sharing their allotment with Babs now.... Bet they have nothing to say then...

Scirocco · 09/05/2024 16:43

Glad your operation went well.