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Having visited another GYO'r and her daughter who are also freecyclers (Got a Bike) on their plot they had a small Bonfire. Their resident moaner complained and said that this was not suitable time for a fire.
What rules govern your plot?

On ours we are not allowed Fires on Sundays or weekdays (During the day)
Only Saturdays but we must be mind-full of the wind and a light Southerly will blow it over the school playing field.

What is your Bonfire etiquette? has anyone ever had a visit from the Environmental Health people re their Bonfires?
Benacre

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We are allowed to light a bonfire the first Monday of every month plus bonfire night itself.

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Kindest regards, David.

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updated - Thursday 8th January at 2130hrs

We are not supposed to "cause nuiscance" to other plotholders or neighbours of the site.

I read that to cover bonfires.

However on November the 5th, who'd notice another one?

Also I tend to accumulate a lot of bramble, tree & shrub when fencing or plot clearing. What I have done in the past is stack it on a vacant plot away from any sheds etc to dry. Once dry I have an afterdark hot flaming bonfire, low smoke levels and the neighbouring school is empty, better on a cold night as windows tend to be shut and the fire is more enjoyable. No vacant plots now, so I'll have to invite a newbie to cooperate or shift it to an empty bit of my plot.

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We've been banned from having them at all. Our site's surrounded by houses and a nursing home and they've made one complaint too many to the council. Endless trips to the tip now

I watched someone build a bonfire the other day next to another plot holder who was busy digging. When he lit it the thick smoke blew straight into the face of the neighbour.

I know I shouldn't but I couldn't help smiling. Whay can't people see the concequences of their actions?

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Digger-07

"If you think you can, or think you can't, you're right" Henry Ford.

Some people can't see the consequences of their actions because they don't care. They do what is convenient for them with no thought to anybody else.

We can't have bonfires, but the council do give us a skip (although it's not always emptied often enough). Shame though, a good bonfire keeps the boys happy!

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Regards, Jane
What sane person could live in this world and not be crazy? The creative adult is the child who has survived.
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Well said Alice.

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Digger-07

"If you think you can, or think you can't, you're right" Henry Ford.

I had a Dog called Bonfire because when I was a PC I saw some children tryng to throw it on a fire (It was a Puppy) I rescued it and took it home. It lasted twelve very happy years.
Benacre

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We're allowed bonfires on pur plots anytime (though you're not allowed on the plots when it's dark), but we have to be mindful of other lottie holders and also be sure that tje wind isn't blowing towards any neighbouring houses.

The problem is that I'm one and a half plots away from massive flats and the rare occasion I've had a dry day, the wind has been bloeing towards the flats

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Shortie

"There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children; one of these is roots, the other wings" - Hodding Carter

I've just scanned through my lottie 'License' and there's no mention of bonfires. Will have to enquire about that. Lots of gumph about no livestock and no planting of crops or trees that take more than 12 months to mature, but nary a mention of bonfires!

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Kris

I child-proofed my house, but they still manage to get in.

Muddy Musings - a blog

You see we are allowed Chickens. Seems there is no national benchmark.

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http://lowestoftnaturalist-benacre.blogspot.com/

Benacre, what a lovely story about your puppy dog. The Chair of our lotties says I can burn all my brambles and stuff - but I'm not too sure about the actual rules. Going to need OH to do it for me - I could cause more than a small bonfire if I did it on my own! DDL

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Appreciate the little things in life because one day you will realise they are the big things

Any time after the beginning of November ...as the peat is too wet to fire.
This year it was so dry that the peat soil set fire down to about 4ft and then spread sideways - for 4 days!!!! ( glad to say it wasn't my bonfire and so went out and bought an incinerator from B&Q straight away)

Not sure when to stop , but our water table is only about 9ins below the surface at the mo ...

We're allowed bonfires between 09:00 and 17:00 monday to friday, but not public holidays, as well as being considerate to our neighbours (both on and off the site).

I was told the tale of one ex-plot holder who wasn't so considerate... next morning he found his shed had burnt down

Derek

we're not allowed our own individual bonfires, but there is an area where all burnable (not compastable) stuff can be stacked and then two or three times a year inc 5th Nov we have a bonfire and social eve with everyone taking something along to eat/drink etc., very good for getting to know the other lottie holders

What a lovely idea Hans mum-
There is usually an area on most sites which could be put to this use.
I like the idea of the social gatherings too!

The same applies to us but we ahve a restirction in as much as we can only have them after October 1st & before April 1st I think it is. (I'd need to look it up)

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ntg

Never be afraid to try something new.
Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark.
A large group of professionals built the Titanic

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I am the plotholder in question (Benacre came to visit yesterday and collected an old bike which had been holding up the shed). I've checked our rules and there is no stipulation on times, only that bonfires must be of reasonable size, you must not burn noxious substances (plastic or oil, I presume) and you should show consideration. Yesterday was clear, the wind was blowing away from the houses and we lit a small bonfire. What smoke there was headed straight for us!!!! The householders concerned who took their washing in (half past three when it was getting too late to dry anyway) didn't say a word to us although their garden is only across the lane. I don't know if they actually complained to the "moaner" or whether he was having a go himself. I am always considerate and careful when I have a fire, and only burn what I can't compost (such as huge bramble and other perennial roots, and rotten bits of wood which I am still finding on my plot). Sorry about the rant, but some people seem to have nothing better to do than moan.

We had some idiot burn old carpets one day and no-one could see the way up the lane. All the back gardens in Worthing Road were covered in black noxious smoke and it was not a pretty sight.
I think that the rules about Bonfires should be nationalised

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My site is not council owned and I'm not really sure of all the rules but so far I've had 2 fires to try to get rid of the brambles I have cut down. The first was very small, inside an oil drum and created some smoke, but no complaints as it was a weekday morning and most of the householders must have been at work.
The second one we had was on a Saturday and the drum wasn't used, as a result it was smokier. Presumably did'nt get as hot as in the drum or waste not quite dry enough. We had just decided to put it out when someone came round and asked us if we could stop. It was very amicable but in future I am only going to do it during the week and keep it small and hot in an effort to keep smoke down.

Kirsty

Never put wet grass or wood or anything on Bonfires as this is what causes the smoke. leave all material to dry and it will burn faster and quicker making no smoke. Yes oils drums are better for small stuff and again the dryer the better. The only trouble with Fires in the dark at night is

1. They attract Children.

2. Usually some (unhelpful person) calls the Fire Brigade.

3. You could fall over something in the dark and fall on the Fire.

Benacre

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We aint alowed bonfires during the Summer months! Think it's from May until October!

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