sunflower
20-06-2008, 10:26 AM
Three years ago, I was given permission to grow veg and flowers on a piece of wasteland tucked away from anyone and anywhere....no through access outside my back gate. The person who gave me permission warned that, because it was public land it may be vandalised. I have always kept a philisphofical(ca'nt spell) approach to this being a possibility. In fact, I fully expected the young people on the estate to use it as a meeting place. This is because it really is a quiet and secluded area where, I have put a seat shaded by an arch where vines and honeysuckle grow. But no, no one to my knowledge has ever used the place, which in one way is a shame because after all, it is public land for anyone to use. I am just making it more beautiful and productive.
Yesterday, when I came home from work, the grass cutters had made a rare visit outside on our steep bank. Not only did they cut the grass, they destroyed the Jerusalem artichokes which were very high and coming into flower, mowed completely a flower bed where all the flowers were in full bloom. Then, if that was'nt enough, they mowed down all the lavendar bushes that had taken three years to establish.
I phoned the Parks department describing what had happened. Today, I recieved a phonecall in which, the whole situation was turned around. I was accused of using land I had no right to use. In my defence, I stated that my neighbours had enjoyed this space, and others, when walking down an ancient lane next to the fence often commented on the beauty of the place and were glad that at last it was being used in a positive way. Furthermore, this last three years has seen a return of wildlife to the area. Dragon flies, blue butterflies, squirrels, fieldmice and a large assortment of pretty birds.
Fortunately, I was able to give the exact date and time and name of person who gave me permission. The chap I spoke to stated he would let me carry on this year, but next year would be different, as, he had now taken over this year. I personally think that, the grasscutters got out of the wrong side of the bed that morning and took it out on the land. It was obvious that what was growing was not weeds and had been planted or growing naturally. I think what really clinched it for me about their attitude was that, not only did they mow down the lavedars, but minced them over and over so that there could be no harvest from the flowers. Furthermore, other flowers had been cut at soil level, but not minced just left dying on the grass.
I wait to see what will happen next. After being able to give the name of the person who gave me permission, the new chap said he would get back to me.
Yesterday, when I came home from work, the grass cutters had made a rare visit outside on our steep bank. Not only did they cut the grass, they destroyed the Jerusalem artichokes which were very high and coming into flower, mowed completely a flower bed where all the flowers were in full bloom. Then, if that was'nt enough, they mowed down all the lavendar bushes that had taken three years to establish.
I phoned the Parks department describing what had happened. Today, I recieved a phonecall in which, the whole situation was turned around. I was accused of using land I had no right to use. In my defence, I stated that my neighbours had enjoyed this space, and others, when walking down an ancient lane next to the fence often commented on the beauty of the place and were glad that at last it was being used in a positive way. Furthermore, this last three years has seen a return of wildlife to the area. Dragon flies, blue butterflies, squirrels, fieldmice and a large assortment of pretty birds.
Fortunately, I was able to give the exact date and time and name of person who gave me permission. The chap I spoke to stated he would let me carry on this year, but next year would be different, as, he had now taken over this year. I personally think that, the grasscutters got out of the wrong side of the bed that morning and took it out on the land. It was obvious that what was growing was not weeds and had been planted or growing naturally. I think what really clinched it for me about their attitude was that, not only did they mow down the lavedars, but minced them over and over so that there could be no harvest from the flowers. Furthermore, other flowers had been cut at soil level, but not minced just left dying on the grass.
I wait to see what will happen next. After being able to give the name of the person who gave me permission, the new chap said he would get back to me.