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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Bloody bonfires? Really?

50 replies

Cornettoninja · 03/04/2020 14:27

Some dick by me has been merrily burning stuff all morning. It’s smells like paper/garden waste maybe but the smoke is hanging really low and it’s intolerable out there. I’m not asthmatic or anything but I can feel it on my chest.

It’s a pandemic caused by a respiratory disease, chances are there’s a couple of people in the vicinity suffering with it. Really not the time to smoke people out imho. Never mind people’s washing or having to keep their windows closed.

Bastards

OP posts:
chocolatesaltyballs22 · 03/04/2020 14:28

I had this last week, gave me the proper rage. Had washing out as well. Inconsiderate twats.

Original poster
Cornettoninja · 03/04/2020 14:30

I thought the general rule was after sunset in residential areas or have I got that wrong?

OP posts:
willowpatterns · 03/04/2020 14:34

I believe that some local bye-laws say you can't have a garden bonfire after a certain time in the evening, during the day is ok.

chocolatesaltyballs22 · 03/04/2020 14:34

No I think you're right, looked it up last week when I was annoyed.

ALongHardWinter · 03/04/2020 14:34

It's not just you OP. The neighbours in the house right next to the block of flats where I live have had a bonfire every bloody afternoon for the last 7 days. They've lived there for 6 years and they have never,to my knowledge,had a bonfire before. Weird how it's suddenly started now. I do wonder what they keep finding to burn. Hmm

Ghostontoast · 03/04/2020 14:35

Some places have bylaws/restrictions some don’t.

Don’t do what my DM did and ask her neighbour if she was burning her knickers as her bonfire was so stinky!

APurpleSquirrel · 03/04/2020 14:36

Unfortunately with most tips closed & garden waste collections suspended I think a lot of people are burning garden waste instead, possibly cardboard etc to clear it.

itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted · 03/04/2020 14:37

@alonghardwinter

It will be because most councils have delayed starting the garden waste collections which was due to start last week. So everyone will have a build up of garden waste potentially since last November and now with the weather actually being dry and everyone at home the only thing to do is gardening

We would never normally have a bonfire but will be having one this weekend as we have large amounts of grass clippings and piles of leaves

CathyorClaire · 03/04/2020 14:39

Arse over the back was burning stuff nest to my washing this morning Angry

About time the fucking things were made illegal in residential areas.

CathyorClaire · 03/04/2020 14:39

next

FurryAndFluffy · 03/04/2020 14:42

I think it's really selfish and inconsiderate to have a bonfire at the moment. I have plenty that I could do with burning but I don't want to subject my neighbours to the smell and smoke.

Having a bonfire this weekend is particularly thoughtless if the weather predictions are accurate. The nice weather will mean lots of people will want to go outside and enjoy the warmer temperatures.

FurryAndFluffy · 03/04/2020 14:42

I think it's really selfish and inconsiderate to have a bonfire at the moment. I have plenty that I could do with burning but I don't want to subject my neighbours to the smell and smoke.

Having a bonfire this weekend is particularly thoughtless if the weather predictions are accurate. The nice weather will mean lots of people will want to go outside and enjoy the warmer temperatures.

OldUnit · 03/04/2020 14:42

I haven't had a bonfire and neither will I but honestly this all sounds really petty in the context of what we're enduring at the moment.

Original poster
Cornettoninja · 03/04/2020 14:44

Well our collections are still normal and they’re pretty good at taking extra cardboard. Our tips are closed though.

OP posts:
chocolatesaltyballs22 · 03/04/2020 14:46

I think you've missed the point @oldunit. If someone was ill with Covid and struggling to breathe, the last thing they'd want is to be having to deal with smoky air.

But regardless of that I don't think it's unreasonable to want to be able to want to hang your washing out to dry without having to rewash it because it stinks of some selfish prick's bonfire!

FlamingGalar · 03/04/2020 14:47

Totally with you OP. Why can’t people bag up the garden waste and wait until the dumps are open again?
The traffic in our area has massively reduced but according to the council website the air quality has got worse due to everyone burning shit in their gardens. And this when there’s a global pandemic causing respiratory problems!
I don’t care how much garden waste people have been building up over the winter. It’s bloody selfish to be burning it and affecting the air quality of everyone around them.

justasking111 · 03/04/2020 14:49

Our garden waste suspended all over the winter and now told it will not recommence for the foreseeable future. I am anticipating a lot of bonfires in the area. However, it would be better if people did it in the evening when the washing is in.

Meckity1 · 03/04/2020 14:50

Garden bonfires aren't legal here.

Original poster
Cornettoninja · 03/04/2020 14:50

all sounds really petty in the context of what we're enduring at the moment

What’s AIBU for if not being petty?

Or would you rather I’d posted wailing about my NHS job I’m expected to do with no PPE or distancing measures? Maybe I could offload the frustration of trying to ensure my elderly disabled father 100+ miles away is supported and doesn’t leave the house. or maybe we could wring our hands together over the universal worry we’re all experiencing for our families and loved ones?

I’m perfectly capable of experiencing more than one thing at a time thanks and some git ruining the opportunity for my 4 year old to run off some steam in the garden after being stuck inside the childminders all week means I’m mildly annoyed enough to have a whinge on the Internet not ignoring the apocalypse.

OP posts:
TheWordmeister · 03/04/2020 14:53

Some inconsiderate arsehole was having one yesterday in our village.

I wish they were illegal.

ErrolTheDragon · 03/04/2020 14:55

Damp garden waste won't burn well. Very antisocial at the moment.

Bagging it up, especially grass clippings, is liable to give you a foul anaerobic gunk.

Probably best to make some sort of heap in a corner, I'd have thought? But don't put kitchen waste on it as you don't want to attract vermin.

itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted · 03/04/2020 15:07

I don't think it's selfish assuming it's done within the guidelines - not on a windy day - in the evenings when the washing isn't out - not near fences or sheds.

What is selfish is living next door to renting neighbours whose garden is a shit tip - would whole heartedly support them having bonfires every night if it tidied up

AnneOfCloves · 03/04/2020 15:10

We can see most of the gardens from the loift window. I always check whether anyone has washing out before we have a garden fire, and tend not to light them until after 6. We put clippings in the poly tunnel to dry out to limit smoke. But after a full winter of no garden collections andf an awful lot of pruning needed this time of year that's too woody for the compost, the off garden fire is going to be needed in a lot of places.

changedtempforprivacy · 03/04/2020 15:13

I think having a bonfire at the moment is extremely selfish - the air pollution, the smell, the risk of starting an accidental fire when emergency services have asked people not to take unnecessary risks.

And then the risk of smoke aggravating the lungs of someone unwell with COVID 19 - simply because somebody wanted to rid themselves of some unsightly rubbish? If they have private land for a bonfire, they have private land to start a compost heap, I cannot believe how thoughtless and selfish some people are!

ErrolTheDragon · 03/04/2020 15:20

But after a full winter of no garden collections andf an awful lot of pruning needed this time of year that's too woody for the compost, the off garden fire is going to be needed in a lot of places.

I'll probably need to make a woody prunings pile as well as a compost heap. I'm not sure if our brown bin collection has stopped (it was done last week) but I usually get way more than will fit in it in spring.

I'm hoping at some point the councils will realise that their 'tips' are essential for domestic health and hygiene.