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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think one person shouldn't hold a village to ransom?

149 replies

feelinglikepeaches · 23/03/2016 11:59

I have recently moved to a rural village. It's about 400 houses - a friendly place to live and very good at holding village events. With the Queen's birthday coming up the parish council wants, along with many other places across the country, to hold a street party on the Sunday afternoon (June 12th). The only viable street to close (because of emergency access to an old people's home and through access) would inevitably mean that some houses would have their access cut-off. One of these houses has already advertised an open garden on the same day as part of the national open garden scheme. The chap concerned has been very vocal/aggressive in campaigning for the street party not to happen. I have some sympathy for him as this open garden was organised many months ago and I recognise that the open garden raises money for charity- however his house is up for sale so it seems very hypocritical. I'm told that for whatever reason the road closure would have to be on a Sunday and that the consensus was that the afternoon would suit the village better- so it seems that it is not possible for the date and time of the street party to be moved. I would like to get involved with the event to meet more people and get involved more with village life but I don't want to walk into a big feud! Is the house owner being unreasonable?

OP posts:
hedgehogsdontbite · 23/03/2016 16:23

Team Garden Man here too.

I think the village are treating him appallingly. Getting into the yellow book is a massive achievement and you lot are dismissing it as insignificant to serve your own agenda. No wonder the poor guy wants to move.

Sprink · 23/03/2016 16:26

Thanks for the gardens link, erm, LizardPerson.

I do understand that people open their gardens to the public, though had previously assumed it was the big estates that did so.

Then learned that regular folks do it as well (though had non idea the amount of effort some out in).

What I don't understand is how it makes money. Is it just the entry fee donated to the charity? Are the coffees and teas and cakes for sale, or part of the deal?

In my village the school is organising an open gardens and all gardens are welcome. They specifically state there doesn't have to be anything in it, let alone anything nice.

That would be our garden, then. An old BBQ, a football goal, and some patchy grass who would pay to see that?

Eustace2016 · 23/03/2016 16:28

Of course the earlier date (open garden) takes precedence.

if the village is so badly organised it cannot get a date in a diary well enough in advance then it is hoist by its own petard and cannot close the road. Next time it should plan much further in advance.

RidersOnTheStorm · 23/03/2016 16:31

My neighbour opens her garden and sells tea and cakes as well as plants for Open Gardens. Last year she made nearly £600.

JoffreyBaratheon · 23/03/2016 16:32

This reminds me why I never listen to 'The Archers'.

manicinsomniac · 23/03/2016 16:33

I'm a bit torn on this one. If he got the date first then morally I suppose it should be his. But it does seem a shame for a whole village to miss out on something they want to do because of one person. So, I guess I think the village should give way to the man but I can understand it causing upset and resentment in a community.

Amazed by how many people have said that the garden is a huge deal. Do people seriously travel the country looking at other people's residential gardens? I've never heard of this happening. Seems completely futile. I suppose there must be such a thing as true garden love.

HamaTime · 23/03/2016 16:36

Agree with the others. He isn't holding the village to ransom and the village sounds likes it's populated by dickish bullies.

diddl · 23/03/2016 16:38

"But it does seem a shame for a whole village to miss out on something they want to do because of one person."

It's not just about him though, is it?

He has opened his garden as part of a national scheme yet it's being suggested that access be cut off??

That's just ridiculous.

If that really is just the only viable street then it either happens in a way that his access isn't affected or it doesn't happen as a street party!

OnlyLovers · 23/03/2016 16:38

manic, yes, open garden events are a really big deal. It's not quite my thing either, but I do know people who attend or take part in them and it's very very important if you're into it.

HamaTime · 23/03/2016 16:39

www.ngs.org.uk

Maniac, that's the website. It's a big deal, honest. Man's open garden will be advertised on there and people will turn up.

HamaTime · 23/03/2016 16:39

Sorry, didn't mean to call you maniac Blush

manicinsomniac · 23/03/2016 16:40

Fair enough OnlyLovers - maybe that's something the other people in the village don't understand either.

manicinsomniac · 23/03/2016 16:43

Interesting; thanks Hama (and no worries, I kind of am one - just evidently not a garden maniac!)

OnlyLovers · 23/03/2016 16:44

No, they may not appreciate that it's a big, well-publicised thing. It does tend to make it into local papers/telly though, and I've seen them on things like The One Show; even if the village hasn't been aware of it, they could quite easily find out about it.

WhoTheFuckIsSimon · 23/03/2016 17:00

God I got so excited for a mi ute at the thought of an extra BH.

Village need to have the party the weekend before or after. Garden man has already made a big commitment.

EdithWeston · 23/03/2016 17:02

I've found info on the extra pub opening hours (that's for the lead, Garlic )

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35881689

EdithWeston · 23/03/2016 17:03

DYAC, curses: thanks for the lead Garlic

ExitPursuedByABear · 23/03/2016 17:05

Each to their own. Gardens are deeply important to many people and yes it is a big deal. He will be working so hard on his garden.

momb · 23/03/2016 17:08

They don't even need to move the street party by a week: just have it on the Saturday afternoon/evening instead....or on any other street in the village on the date of their choosing.

HanYOLO · 23/03/2016 17:09

It's a huge big massive deal to people - proper labour of love. I expect it is even more important to him this year, if he plans to move and it will be the last time he can do it there. It will bring people to visit the village - that's important too, after all.

The party is a moveable feast. Time and place. It doesn't matter if its on the same day as the one on the mall with the £150 M&S hampers or not.

WorraLiberty · 23/03/2016 17:19

Thanks for your views- am off to pretend to clip roses in the garden whilst peering suspiciously over the hedge

Best parting comment from an OP ever Grin

Jade1212 · 23/03/2016 17:37

I think he's within his rights here, these events only work if they suit everyone and his rights to have access to his property for his own reasons massively trump the rights of others have have a party outside. He had booked in advance so it seems hugely unfair to be doing anything that affects that for any reason other than an emergency.

VertigoNun · 23/03/2016 17:44

Hot drinks, cake and plants are sold at these open gardens and people travel to visit.

impostersyndrome · 23/03/2016 21:19

Yes it's a big deal, a great honour to an amateur gardener that can draw in several hundred even to a not that large plot, so long as it's full of interest. One garden I know locally makes over a thousand net for charity in a just few hours from entry fees, cake and plant sales.

DameFanny · 24/03/2016 12:47

Not read the whole thread, just wanted to say fuck the queen and her gold hat.

As you were.