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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbour burning garden waste

54 replies

fifi669 · 20/06/2014 19:50

Neighbours used their garden incinerator and ruined the washing on the line. They'd cut half out dividing hedge to less than 5ft so in all likelihood they could see it was on the line. I quietly seethed but said nothing.

A couple of days later, with all the hedge now under 5ft (so they can def see our garden) I just happen to see neighbour emptying the incinerator so I rush outside, bring in the washing and ten minutes later he's lit it.

DP had the same problem, catching the washing just as the fire was lit and asked if we could be warned so we can bring in our washing. The lady neighbour apologised and said of course.

Come back home today grumpy enough as it is in this heat, 37 weeks pregnant and after dragging my toddler through the supermarket to find the note in the photo and smoke billowing through my garden. I asked neighbour why he didn't wait and he said be knocked but didn't know when I'd be home so went ahead. Another load of washing that needs to be redone.

AIBU to think that as he can see my washing on the line he doesn't light his bloody fire?

Neighbour burning garden waste
OP posts:
Original poster
fifi669 · 20/06/2014 23:39

I can see my neighbours washing lines easy enough so yes I would knock on their door if I was going to light a BBQ. One neighbour either side should do. Personally I'd go further for the incinerator.

I'm not an uptight neighbour by any stretch. Just asking for a little consideration really!

OP posts:
AgaPanthers · 20/06/2014 23:40

So the neighbours trimmed their nasty overgrown hedge, lit a couple of bonfires to get rid of it and now they are the neighbours from hell?

YABU

Original poster
fifi669 · 20/06/2014 23:42

It's the fact they burnt it when they can clearly see my washing is on the line.

OP posts:
Damnautocorrect · 21/06/2014 07:58

I have a neighbour who middle of a bright sunny day lights a bonfire, it's about 2/3 times a week.
My council had no regulations in place, yet previous ones have.

I could cry sometimes as I have no other way of getting the washing dried so its £2.50 and a laundrette trip.

SixImpossible · 21/06/2014 08:05

I bought an incinerator precisely do that I could bonfire in the rain when people were less likely to have windows open or laundry out.

poocatcherchampion · 21/06/2014 08:16

as ever I am the only one who can't really see a problem here. as long as it is not persistent. bonfires are not illegal. hanging washing is not more of a right than clearing a garden.

I also like the smell of bonfires too and generally leave my washing out if I light them.

in your case op - he did come to ask but you weren't there. and why would he have known you were imminently to return?

Damnautocorrect · 21/06/2014 08:23

The previous council rule was at dusk which I think Is perfect. You've had the day to enjoy the garden, sunshine, get washing dried, house aired etc before the bonfire.

Original poster
fifi669 · 21/06/2014 09:31

six you sound like a great neighbour!

poocatcher he didn't have to know I was imminently going to return, just that his actions would cause damage, so he should have refrained until they wouldn't.

OP posts:
CeliaFate · 21/06/2014 09:34

Contact the council - keep a diary of when the fires are lit.

ajandjjmum · 22/06/2014 09:29

Glad you don't do my washing poocatcher - it stinks when it's been caught in bonfire smoke!

It's about consideration for others - your neighbour is sadly a twat fifi - shame you can't do anything about it.

Catsmamma · 22/06/2014 09:36

surely it's fairly self limiting though?....unless he is burning every single blade of grass then there's only going to be a set amount of garden crap to set fire to.

MrMacadoo · 22/06/2014 10:00

I don't think YABU as this would bug me too. If it was me I would knock on the door and see if you could come to some sort if agreement eg they don't light it before 7 so you have chance to get the washing in, and if it's not in before this time then that's your fault. In fairness washing dries so quickly these days it doesn't need to be out all day (obviously I don't expect you to stay in all day just to monitor your washing!)

GoblinLittleOwl · 22/06/2014 10:52

Do you put washing out every day? Could you ask your neighbour to use the incinerator on certain days, so that you know not to put washing out on those days?
This happened to my father when he used his incinerator; the next door- neighbour complained because she had washing on the line the first time he used it, so he stopped, until he realized she put washing out every day, (for his generation, tantamount to sin); he then used the incinerator every Sunday to burn garden waste and continued to do so until he died. They continued to be friends with their neighbours, who attended his funeral, at the Crematorium, obviously. (I did ask about funeral arrangements and he said, 'You know me, always like a good bonfire)

hellskitty · 22/06/2014 11:05

A normal bonfire I would think 'ok' but the Ops garden is totally unuasable with all that smoke.They should have waited til evening

Original poster
fifi669 · 22/06/2014 12:01

With a baby due shortly I am doing a lot of washing at the moment and trying to get most on the line. I have a washer/dryer which creases everything

Not being able to use the garden is annoying, but as pointed out, the incineration is limited in time scale so I can hold off for a few days. I'd just thought the normal thing would be for him to hold off til my washing is in!

OP posts:
intheenddotcom · 22/06/2014 12:34

I'm glad I don't live near most of you. We put a BBQ on yesterday - did we warn the neighbors - no. Do the neighbors warn us - no. Not an issue.

Your neighbor tried to warn you, but you had gone out. What was he meant to do - wait until you turn up to get on with his life?

Original poster
fifi669 · 22/06/2014 13:05

Yes! He could clearly see my washing. It wasn't a BBQ. It wasn't meal time dependant. It was a lot of smoke if you see my earlier pictures. It's damaging my property when there is no need. It's selfish and rude. Leaving a note saying I can see your washing but I'm burning crap anyway doesn't cut it!

Yesterday I was going out for most of the day and as they were doing more gardening work, left the rewashed clothes in the machine. On the way out the door, I said I'd be out all day and they can burn whenever. Lady wished me a good day, I said cheers, so hopefully we won't be falling out but my annoyance was noted.

OP posts:
Floggingmolly · 22/06/2014 15:08

Turn the hosepipe on him his bonfire. We doing fire again Hmm bloody Neanderthal...

WooWooOwl · 22/06/2014 15:22

It was out of order for the neighbour to do this without warning, you shouldn't have had to ask them to tell you so that you can bring in washing. But on the other hand, I don't think you gave them much option if you went out leaving washing on the line.

wheresthelight · 22/06/2014 22:14

He can do what he likes in his own garden. If it was after 6 then he wasn't being unreasonable and to be honest I wouldn't bother checking with neighbours any more than they would check with me.

Get over it

chockbic · 22/06/2014 22:19

That's really selfish especially on a hot summers day.

Our old neighbour lit a fire by the fence and we called the fire brigade who sent two engines out.

How we laughed.

samsam123 · 22/06/2014 23:02

my neighbour has had a bbq every bloody night last week I hate it as I am vegetarian so all windows have to be closed they also sit outside smoking all evening I hate them. don't tell them about incinerators please

Elderflowergranita · 22/06/2014 23:08

Here in Ireland bonfires are illegal in gardens all year round, bar the 23rd of June (St John's Night). We're all preparing to burn our garden waste tomorrow night!

Original poster
fifi669 · 22/06/2014 23:43

wheresthelight if you could see your neighbours washing on the line, you'd light a fire regardless without warning? Really? At least my neighbour made a very half arsed attempt...

OP posts:
WooWooOwl · 22/06/2014 23:56

It wasn't a half arsed attempt, they came round to see you in a perfectly valid attempt. It's not their fault you left washing on the line and then went out.

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