Complaints about noise on allotments

[SarzWix]

I'm with Thelma and Snadge. I'd point out that, unfortunately the only time you can strim is when the weather allows, which is also likely to be the time they'll want to sit out, but that fortunately you'll only be doing it once a month or so. Apologise by all means, but don't be put off from doing the job anyway.

Edited to add - the quiet alternative to strimming is to try and do it all with a scythe, which would take forever. I wouldn't fancy it...

[Bren In Pots]

Does he have a lawn and if he does how does he cut it with a push mover or a 'noisy' mower.

[alldigging]

I always wanted a scythe. Mostly cos of the nice cape you wear with it!

[Alison]

I can't think of any weekend recently that has been dry when one of our neighbours hasn't been mowing their lawn, it is noisy and not a particularly nice noise but so long as it's not too early or being down by floodlight in the middle of the night then I'd never dream of complaining. Bonfires is a totally different thing, they really do effect you but a bit of noise isn't that bad. It sounds like your lottie neighbour is either complaining just because they can or maybe there is something else going on in their life that you aren't aware of. I'd not be giving him anything for free but I would be inclined to go round and explain what you are doing, roughly how long it will take and how often you'll be doing it. I can't imagine that it takes all day so not that much of an inconvenience. If there is something else behind the complaint then see what you can do - one of our neighbour works shifts every week so even if I'm off work I'd never mow our grass in the mornings during the week as he's trying to get some sleep, I could and I doubt he'd complain but that's just thoughtless. If it is sitting in the garden then he'll need to buy a county to get peace and quiet, does he also complain about children playing, cars etc etc?

[Two_Sheds]

People love to complain about allotments ~ it's because they think we're getting something for nothing off the council (land, water).

Complaining about bonfires is the usual one: from the same people who use petrol to light their stinky BBQs *tuts*

This week someone complained about the smell of compost heaps (they don't smell). We didn't tell them there's 3 ton of pig muck arriving next week

[Cue the Toms]

Some people are only happy when they are moaning... If you offered the guy a £20 note he would probably complain that it should have been 2 x £10 notes!

Personally and confrontational I accept, but I would tell him to foxtrot oscar. If you are not causing any criminal offence, going about your own business just doing an everyday task then he must be a fool to complain! After all, who would back up his complaint?

I recently spent two full days with a petrol strimmer roaring away nicely and no one batted an eyelid... And that is how it should be. People eh? grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Would you like me to come and sort him out for you?

[snohare]

I can see where he is coming from, I use a strimmer regularly and hate the noise...but nonetheless, when someone says something like that to me when I'm strimming, I usually just point to my ear defenders, shrug, make a face and keep going !

[Feral007]

I hate strimming.............so I'd probably pass him the strimmer and ask him if he could do it faster and we'd all be happy
Honestly I've been on night duty and wanted to take the mower cord and wrap it around the neighbours neck when they get going about 9am because you're too tired to stay upright but can't sleep for the noise, but you just can't have everything!

[Bigmallly]

Sorry but............

[Samurailord]

I was on the allotment yesterday when the complaint was made - my plot is nearest to this guy's land.

To be fair, the strimming had started at with one strimmer at 10am and the brushcutter joined in at 11am, with there being such a large area to cover the work took until 12.30 to complete, and the noise was pretty much constant.

On the other hand, the guy's attitude was appaling. He hung over the fence (which is having to be replaced as it is leaning badly and has become unsafe as a result of loads of rubbish being piled against his side of it over time) and whistled to get our attention - he didn't try to call out first, he just whistled like we were a pack of unruly dogs.

When it was pointed out to him that the work had to be done, and could only be done when people were available he basically said 'I don't care, I work all week and want to sit in my garden at weekends and not have to listen to noise from the allotment'

Perhaps I should move my muck pile right next to the fence?

He may not be too keen on sitting in his garden for too long then, especially if I turn it over regularly to get the fresh stuff on the top?

Andy

[Cue the Toms]

I would feed his garden to all my slugs.

Jeez, 2.5 hours of noise at that time of day is not unreasonable.

Is it just me that thinks this guy is a class A nob?

Does he expect you to cut the grass with scissors?

Sakes.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Maybe consider letting the neighbours know in advance that their may be some noise disturbance next time. It's always a good idea to keep on good terms with the occupants of houses which adjoin allotments as those are the folks we rely on to keep an eye out for problems from vandals and the likes. Maybe let the dust settle for a week or so and then deliver a token apology(I know it will hurt but you know it makes sense ) and a box of fresh veg to which your fellow plotters have contributed.

Having said that, it sounds as if your neighbour has behaved unreasonably given that the tidy up was a one off exercise.

[zazen999]

And when he complains to the council about the noise and the rudeness and you find you have a notice to quit and have to fight that...

I know we are an allotmenting community here but we have to rub along with the people who live either side of our plots - so perhaps asking him when it would be suitable might be the first step?

[Sarico]

is not just an alotment that you make noise...even if you have a garden you will use a strimmer so tell him to shut up...this is what i don't understand about people... if you live in an urban area don't complain about the noise otherwise go live in the coutryside...next time will he ask to the bird to stop singing at 4 am? will he ask to all the driver to put their cars off becuase he can't enjoy his cup of tea ? if the neighbor have a baby wiil he tell them that the baby cry too much? i hate these people

[bearded bloke]

if you live in an urban area don't complain about the noise otherwise go live in the coutryside.

Nah,gotta disagree with that,the coutryside is not the idylic haven of peace & tranquility that some people envisage,the levels of noise when cutting grass (hay/silage) & dust (wheat/barley) for days on end make a strimmer buzzing for a couple of hours seem like eutopia to us