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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
17
Nanaof1 · 09/05/2024 22:15

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

That got me actually laughing.

"Just because you rightfully own the allotment, financially and legally, it doesn't give you the right to take it back from the grifter who wants it to be hers".

EnglishBluebell · 09/05/2024 22:15

@YaMuvvaFlowersBrew In fact, here's some Gin Gin

Just wait until handover at 6/7am and they all suddenly erupt into laughter as abruptly & heart-stoppingly as they can muster. Ironic for Nurses, really.

Ask one of the nice ones if they happen to have any ear plugs. Ya never know

Callipygion · 09/05/2024 22:20

YaMuvva · 09/05/2024 22:08

Oh god sorry but that made me laugh 🤣 which is not good for me as it makes my stitches wobble 😂

there’s a woman somewhere who is screaming very articulately in pain “OUCH! OWEE! OUCHY!”. Poor lass

You won’t be saying “Poor lass” if she continues shouting that all night! 🤣

I see Penfold being played by that weird bloke with the glasses who played Reg Holdsworth in Coronation Street. He also did a double glazing ad. Babs could be Kathy Staff aka Nora Batty. And I am now envisioning your husband as Paul McCartney. My god he was a gorgeous looking pretty boy at age 40. [swoon]

Wishing you a speedy recovery! X

Twinklewonderkins · 09/05/2024 22:24

You should deffo draft in some drag queens from somewhere to help your dh clear the plot.

Nanaof1 · 09/05/2024 22:28

YaMuvva · 09/05/2024 17:19

I’ve taken them off and I’m hiding my legs, they are so uncomfortable (I will pop them back on soon I know they’re important.

2 months! Poor you! Mine are only for a week

I see many people have given excellent advice about those dang stockings but here is my 2 cents (which is agreeing with everyone else):

The compression stockings are to help protect you from throwing a clot. A pulmonary embolism is not a fun experience. Last time I had surgery (in the States), they put these electric things on my legs that would pump up like a BP cuff and then go back down every five minutes or so. I actually loved those but hated the stockings. Mine went up past my knees and were hot and itchy.

Nanaof1 · 09/05/2024 22:35

YaMuvva · 09/05/2024 18:14

A nurse came to take my blood pressure and one plopped out onto the floor from under the covers and landed right by her feet so I’ve just got a bollocking and they’re back on Blush

Oh good! We need you in top form to keep us appraised of the Babs and Penfold saga.

It sounds like the surgery went well, and you have pain pills to help with the pain. 👏
I hope you get to go home soon and continue to recover!

LelyKelly23 · 09/05/2024 22:37

Bloody brilliant 😂😂 thank you for keeping us updated!!!

Nanaof1 · 09/05/2024 22:39

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Confusedmeanderings · 09/05/2024 22:54

I hope you manage to sleep tonight but if you don't, it might be a good idea to get cracking on the script!

Eastcoastie · 09/05/2024 23:00

"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"

Why doesnt Penfold give Babs his plot then?!

To be fair to Babs, she is getting the rotten end of the deal and I can see why she will be upset to leave the allotment community if its been a big part of her life. Rightly or wrongly, she seems to have thought the land was hers or she at least had some rights over it. The friend should have sold her it, gifted her it or been upfront with her that it was being sold.

Looking forward to the update on 21st, it sounds like Babs has every intention of enjoying every last moment but being gone by the date requested unless of course she decides to persue a legal action but from everything you have said it seems enormously unlikely.

AllTheAll · 09/05/2024 23:16

YaMuvva · 09/05/2024 16:31

OMG YES!

genius!

Tom Hollander plays a great snothead and he's quite short, and there's pic with him in glasses!

https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/GettyImages-1473079687_1707329637.jpg

chrispychilli · 09/05/2024 23:22

No wonder your DH wanted to wait to tell you in person ! He must have been bursting to tell you! Hope you manage to sleep tonight socks and all

dapsnotplimsolls · 09/05/2024 23:24

Cheeky placemark. Hope you feel better soon.

Justkeepingplatesspinning · 09/05/2024 23:25

Oh gracious, I've just chuckled my way through tonight's updates. Not sure what you've had done, @YaMuvva but hope you've not laughed your stitches out when your husband updated you.
Hope you get some rest tonight.

Delphinium20 · 10/05/2024 00:14

I am baffled why anyone would feel for Babs. The woman has had free use of an allotment for many years, paid not one dime for it and now resents the owners for asserting their legal rights to use it. "I'm so mad that my free ride is over and I'll blame the mean people who won't let me use their land for a longer free ride."

beenwhereyouare · 10/05/2024 01:11

Trez1510 · 09/05/2024 21:31

I disagree, on both counts.

It could be made up - think cheap chick lit with a Bridget Jones type lead.

It is not hilarious.

Break Up Crying GIF

You say it's NOT REAL???

But why must you ruin it for the rest of us?

WearyAuldWumman · 10/05/2024 01:26

Sending you best wishes for a speedy recovery.

HazelBite · 10/05/2024 01:31

Thanks for the update, now you concentrate on your recovery!

YaMuvva · 10/05/2024 01:35

I am still wide awake. Someone is snoring like a water buffalo and whilst I don’t begrudge nurses having a good shift I don’t see why they have to giggle so loudly.

Im cranky, hungry (chicken casserole for dinner it was nice but I’m craving a Chinese and bottle of fizzy pop) and I have pins and needles in my legs, so that is most definitely some karma for taking my stockings off and hiding them from the nursery.

My wound is also sore and this codiene isn’t shifting it 😭 and my water and call bell is too far away and I’m too lazy to ask for help 🤣

Sorry. Rant over. As you were

OP posts:
Fraaahnces · 10/05/2024 03:34

I’m a nurse. You need to tell the nurses that you have pins and needles. Sounds like the TEDS are too tight. Also ask for a heat pack to help alleviate some pain.

Delphinium20 · 10/05/2024 04:13

Oh, I'm so sorry that you can't get any sleep...that's miserable. Hope you can recover soon at home.

Billybagpuss · 10/05/2024 04:23

How long are you in there for? Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Hopefully all the other allotment holders will be lovely

HalebiHabibti · 10/05/2024 06:08

My DSis was recently in hospital and said exactly the same - she could have gone mad with lack of sleep! I hope you get to go home soon OP.

Zonder · 10/05/2024 06:22

Hope you managed to get some sleep.

DeanElderberry · 10/05/2024 07:02

I hope you get sprung soon so that you can get into your own bed and recover.

I'm trying to decide whether it would be better for you to stride onto the plot looking as glam as possible on the 21st, or to totter on looking frail and in need of a little open-air recuperation. In either case your OH can provide a confusing spectacle for poor Nigel as he accompanies you. How long before your OH produces 'my-dear-wife-who-is-just-out-of-hospital' to counter ' Babs-the-little-old-lady' ?

It is interesting that other people kept their heads down and didn't get involved, suggesting they are not on side with Babs and her pet homophobe (I can't call him Nigel, I know some really lovely Nigels).

Not-Nigel was bit foolish though, I am I think a bit older than Babs, and any bloke who referred me to a little old lady when I was close beside a shed full of spades, shovels, and other weaponry would find himself in serious trouble.

My sympathy for Babs is tempered by knowing that she has a garden and she could have looked into finding an alternative plot in the middle of the winter when this one went on sale. The Seller's fault ultimately.

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