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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is there a more acceptable time to have a bonfire?

45 replies

Elouera · 20/12/2020 08:50

We've bought a derlict home with a completely overgrown 1/2 acre garden. The neighbours have been lovely, so glad we are taking it on and said nothing about the 2x bonfires we have had so far (garden waste only). I've awoken to find DH has set yet another one, and plans to burn it all day.

I'd be happy to do trips back and forth to the tip, but they only allow 1 visit per day, and we'd need at least 10 car trips (they aren't accepting trailers)
Would an all day burn be better than multiple nights or should we just do trips to the tip?

OP posts:
FippertyGibbett · 20/12/2020 08:52

Just go to the tip.

Dishwashersaurous · 20/12/2020 08:54

All day will be fine. It needs to be done

Bluethrough · 20/12/2020 08:56

@Dishwashersaurous

All day will be fine. It needs to be done
But it doesn't, there is a tip.

Bonfires are very anti social and burning green and wet garden waste produces loads of smoke.

If you must, ask your neighbours first.

MsMiaWallace · 20/12/2020 08:58

There's no actual 'laws' with regards to times if you are having them every so often.
Speak to neighbours.

Flaunch · 20/12/2020 08:59

This is the best time of year to be burning stuff. It’s not like you’ll be doing it forever, is it.

Changi · 20/12/2020 09:03

Your neighbours will signal the best time to light a bonfire by hanging washing on their line.

At least, that is the way it seems to work around here.

Cabinfever10 · 20/12/2020 09:09

Check your local bylaws as its illegal to burn anything outside between 7am and 7pm where I live.
My dick neighbours tried to have an all day bonfire last year and got 2 massive fines. 1 from the council and 1 from the firebrigade who came out and put the bonfire out and soaked the rest of the garden waste so it couldn't be burned

Eng123 · 20/12/2020 09:11

There is no excuse for burning full stop. Take it to the tip slowly over time, pay for a skip or page for more access to the tip. I've never heard of a tip limiting the number of visits, I hope that's not a new limitation to be rolled out.

ThreeFeetTall · 20/12/2020 09:14

Just speak to the neighbour and ask?

Bluntness100 · 20/12/2020 09:16

I’d just get it done to be honest.

DuzzyFuck · 20/12/2020 09:16

Will it be done with after this one all-day burn? If yes then I would just crack on and if the neighbours say anything just explain that you're trying to do it all in one hit so it doesn't inconvenience them again.

HavelockVetinari · 20/12/2020 09:18

It's quite anti social (not to mention bad for the environment). That said, as a one-off it'll be ok, although I'd pop round to your neighbours to apologise for the smoke and reassure them it's a one-off.

Clymene · 20/12/2020 09:19

Can you do it today and then make that it? I'd rather have one day with a fire going all day long than a daily bonfire

BogRollBOGOF · 20/12/2020 09:21

@Eng123

There is no excuse for burning full stop. Take it to the tip slowly over time, pay for a skip or page for more access to the tip. I've never heard of a tip limiting the number of visits, I hope that's not a new limitation to be rolled out.
Our council thinks appointments are a marvellous idea and now want to take it further with a 12 visit cap per year.

I bet the other surrounding local authorities are less impressed now everyone from the city id spreading out to the nearby boroughs.

With supply being restricted, it usually takes a couple of weeks to get an appointment, but there's no cancelation option so the number of no-shows is huge.

And the council pat themselves on the havk for their brilliance... Hmm

HeddaGarbled · 20/12/2020 09:22

If it’s a still day so the smoke goes straight up, or the wind blows the smoke away from any nearby houses, it’s OK. If the wind is blowing the smoke towards any nearby house, it’s not OK.

DougRossIsTheBoss · 20/12/2020 10:09

Why do you hire a bloody skip??
Isn't that the obvious solution?

Burning stuff all day is not acceptable in an urban location. Would be Ok in a rural place but I'd be spitting chips if my neighbours were burning stuff all day every day.

Brainwave89 · 20/12/2020 10:25

I love a good bonfire, but be really careful, not everyone does. Depends a lot on the space the wind direction etc. I would be doing trips to the tip in preference unless there is a good reason why not. If he burns rubbish all day, then no washing can go out, and even with the windows shut, if next door has someone with asthma and the smoke is close to the house it can cause problems. If these people are likely to be your neighbours for some time, I would be cautious.

PerveenMistry · 20/12/2020 10:26

@Eng123

There is no excuse for burning full stop. Take it to the tip slowly over time, pay for a skip or page for more access to the tip. I've never heard of a tip limiting the number of visits, I hope that's not a new limitation to be rolled out.

Exactly. Bonfires are selfish and obnoxious, esp of green material. Hire a skip.

Original poster
Elouera · 20/12/2020 10:39

Thanks for the replies and to answer some questions:

  • Our new area do have a green waste collection, for £100 per year and only collect every 2 weeks
  • Its semi-rural and 1/2 acre garden, although there are houses nearby
  • Yes, our local tip limit trips to once per day, and no trailers
  • There are no bylaws in the local area regarding times to burn bonfires

We'd likely get it all done in 2 days of burning, but have started the daily trip visits anyway to get as much recycled there as we can.

OP posts:
Undies1990 · 20/12/2020 10:43

Go an explain to your neighbours that it'll be done in two days. I am sure they'd appreciate knowing what you're doing, why and how long it's going to take.

nosswith · 20/12/2020 11:20

Agree times with your neighbours, seems they welcome that you are there and wanting to use the property.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 20/12/2020 11:21

Explain to your neighbours if you can, but just get on with it.

Brighterthansunflowers · 20/12/2020 11:28

YABU

You should hire a skip or make multiple trips to the tip (yes I know you have to do it over a week or so, but that’s not your neighbours problem)

A bonfire is very anti social

FindHungrySamurai · 20/12/2020 11:33

Ask neighbours for their time of preference (maybe they’re going to be out for the day one day, maybe they always open windows to air the house from 9-9:30 every day). Tell them it’s a one-off job and you’re not going to be a nightmare neighbour forever. They probably won’t have washing on the line or windows open all day at this time of year, but it’s still good to know - I had to hand wash a large delicate item I couldn’t spin last week, so was hanging it out in the garden to drop dry, I’d have welcomed a heads up from the neighbours if they were going to burn anything.

Shitonthebloodything · 20/12/2020 11:34

Just ask your neighbours it's only a problem for them really.