Bonfire etiquette?
Temperatures reached nearly 14C degree today, which is very unusual for a Sunday so close to Christmas. We were at a friend’s for lunch, and were so taken by the unseasonable weather that we unanimously made a last minute decision to eat outside in the Autumn sun. As we tucked into our roast, the distinct tarry smell of a bonfire made it’s way over the wall. Then ashes started to land in the mash…
I happen to love bonfires and don’t mind the musty smell. However it turns out that those particular neighbours have complained in the past about others having bonfires.
So, I wonder, what is bonfire etiquette? When is it OK to smoke your neighbours out, and when is it not? Advice please.
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Alan | 18th Nov 09
Some district councils have by-laws about bonfires – South Oxfordshire do not. From their website – “There are no bylaws about garden bonfires, so anyone can light one at any time and as often as they like.”
Full details on http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/environment/bonfires/
Pass the matches, diesel and the pile of wet leaves ….
A Modern Mother | 17th Nov 09
The Mad House — yep, good point…
TheMadHouse | 17th Nov 09
Hmm I am not sure about rules and laws etc, but my FIL is a farmer and he is forver burning stuff. He makes sure that he doesnt pee off the neighbours by doing it when the wind is in the opposite direct just as a courtosy.
We tend to tell on BBQ when people have washing hung out, but that it it. Infact the whole street tends to BBQ as soon as the suns out.
The thing is some people do things just to pee people off, so I guess if he has complained about other peples before that in his tiny little mind it felt like he was winning a battle.
These type of people lead very sad, sad lives.
A Modern Mother | 17th Nov 09
Interesting, I’m going to check into the local rules. But it’s still a hard one isn’t it … you don’t really want to get into it with your neighbours, do you?
Gillie | 16th Nov 09
Thanks for using my bonfire picture:~))
Ellen | 16th Nov 09
I certainly think that the neighbours should have checked before lighting the bonfire as a courtesy. I am certain that a law was passed stopping people burning rubbish but that it isn’t very strictly enforced. I think it came in after the govt banned the farmers burning stubble (I grew up opposite a farm and spent many an afternoon running out with my Mum to rescue her laundry when the smoke started!).
Insomniac Mummy | 16th Nov 09
Eeeek! We live in a terraced house with small gardens and zero privacy so here? Never OK.
I think if you are planning to have a fire you should consult the neighbours as no-one wants their washing stinking and their garden covered in ashes.
🙂
Kim@EnjoyTheRide | 16th Nov 09
I thought that there were laws that governed this, but they were area/council specific, so more like rules I guess…
Vic | 16th Nov 09
Never in the summer. Mid afternoon on a Saturday seems like the best time to me. I’m surprised they even managed to find dry wood for the fire after Friday and Saturday’s rain.
A Modern Mother | 16th Nov 09
I’m going to look into laws … these bonfires happen all the time … ALL the time … but I do recall someone saying something to me about their timings are regulated….
Iota | 16th Nov 09
I thought bonfires were illegal these days. I’m not joking. I seriously did. Are they?
MTJAM | 15th Nov 09
I have no idea about bonfire etiquette – I find the whole tradition rather bizarre…
I just came over to say thank you for your support following my latest post – I was in a bad place but I am much better now 🙂
Rosie Scribble | 15th Nov 09
I actually think there are laws against this. We back onto an allotment and they are only allowed to burn things at certain times. Having said that, my idiot neighbour recently decided to get rid of an old bush in his garden, not by chopping it down, but by putting newspaper on top of it and setting fire to it. Adding to the madness was the fact that it was right next to our fence. The next day are lawn was covered in a layer of black ash. Some people are odd.
Expat Mum | 15th Nov 09
Aren’t there a few laws here and there about setting fire to things in your back garden. I know my mum can’t light a fire in hers.
Hannah | 15th Nov 09
I always knock on my next door neighbour’s door and let her know we are planning a fire – she almost always has washing out on the line and our “gardens” (yards) are extremely close. If I had a garden big enough for a proper bonfire though, I’d probably assume it wouldn’t be an issue.
Rebel Mother | 15th Nov 09
I’d love to smoke my neighbour out. He is a pain! However, he enjoys holding a bonfire when my washing is out….and stealing my cable! Pass me a match will you, I have a bonfire to light!
PS Award for you at mine.
RMxx
Alice | 15th Nov 09
In my book it is most definitely not OK to smoke out your neighbours when they are about to settle down to lunch Al fresco on an unusually warm Sunday in the UK … grrrrrr.
Now if they were offering sticks with delicious melted marshmallows over the fence, I might have forgiven them 😉