As The Workhouse Approaches....How To Do Everything To Avoid It, the Old Style Way

born_blonde

paid in chickens, contact your local Land Registry office customer services department with a view to applying for possessory title as you have clearly been using this land for over 10 years you never know you might get lucky! Even if you don't they might be able to help.

Seakay

kittie wrote: »

Oh I am wilting, my non stop doing is going fast but :eek: the last thing I was doing was stretching myself while kneeling low on the floor ,trying to reach into the far corner of a dark corner cupboard. What a flipping stupid design. I`ll never be able to get in there in 10 years time and dh can`t do it now because of hips. I reckon that the things I use most are my lock and lock boxes so why the heck did I put them in there? A mad moment.

Have you considered one of these, or something like it?


http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/90128419

I know that it's a lot of money, but if it meant that you were able to use a whole cupboard that would otherwise be out of commission, might it bw worth it?

ceridwen

blackandwhitebunny wrote: »

Finally caught up on the thread again:D
Ceridwen, if there are any trees in the area and especially if they have ivy on them I'd recommend bats:D Bats are very difficult to see or find and generally their droppings are excepted as proof of their presence... nuff said. Actually I do wonder? If someone put up bat boxes in trees and bats took up residence would that be the same as bats roosting in the trees themselves?
I believe that there is one person who is licensed to sell Great Crested Newt eggs but only to people who have a suitable sheltered habitat such as a garden pond. Someone over on the grow your own foru had some.

Another topic altogether: about foraging. I've noticed that there are a fair number of apple trees along various highways and was wondering if anyone ever managed to pick them?
Hugs and good wishes to everyone who needs them:)

Thanks for that - I'm getting a good long list of suggestions here:). i must go and have a hunt-around on the Grow Your Own Forum for this person. In my quick little hunt-around earlier I came across someone who said they did - but they are a different type of newt and not native to Britain and I obviously wouldnt want to release a non-native type "into the wild". So - I'll have a hunt-around and see if I can find this seller and if they are "the real deal" and can supply in a way consistent with animal welfare.

We have various apple trees around on Council ground and the "unofficial rule" is to take note of whether they are visibly near someones "territory", in which case one has to see if the residents there are taking an interest or no. If not - then they're up for grabs (ie I wouldnt dare take ones from a tree on the boundary of a village near here - because someone is obviously picking them - so they must have been claimed by a villager or two. So - I'll leave them - even though I'm a local, because I'm not in that specific village). Ones on more main type roads havent any obvious "contenders" and are therefore "available". Well - peeps might disagree with that - but I'm just explaining how the locals round here (errr...including me then...being local myself) view it. So - if they're on a pretty main type road and no obvious "contenders on the territory" - then "waste not, want not" and might as well help yourself.

greenbee

Redlady - if you're looking to spend that kind of money try Jaeger (particularly in the sale). I have two suits from them that I use for work travel, each with a jacket, skirt, dress and trousers and they've been fantastic value. They pack well (don't crease) and look smart. They always have q basic suit each year, usually in black, navy and/or pinstripe, and with a couple of slightly different styles from each item so there is usually something that works for you. I have had one altered to fit after losing weight, and was told that they were well made ... Much more so than some more expensive brands.

Larumbelle

My mum has one of those things, don't know where from, I think she had it put in when she had the kitchen fitted. They're really good as long as nothing falls off them...

Personally I would just use a few tote-type boxes to put everything in. It's a lot cheaper and just as practical, really.

I just made miso soup for the first time. I am in love I didn't think OH would like it but to my surprise he did! It was a great way to use the big bag of watercress, spinach and rocket I got for a penny last night too It's quick and easy to make, I'm going to check out prices and try some substitutions because if I can do it cheap enough, it could well become one of my mainstays.

ceridwen

paidinchickens wrote: »

Slightly off subject but still about land... Does anyone know..pretty please

We have a small patch of land at the end of our road that belongs to the company DH bought our house off. This land has been left to its own devices for 11 years. DH has rang them to see if we can use it to grow some veg on but they do not know who has the authority to deal with this. The council say they are not responsible and so we have come to a dead end. There is a small strip of land that is now filled with lovely blackberries. But the small square of land would be great for growing this and would be cared for. Does anyone know the rules on this? Would we be arrested for growing with intent:rotfl: The people we have spoken to who own the land have said they can not see a problem however they still do not know who can give permission so we would have nothing in writing. We have cut the grass for 11 years (so the boys could play footie when too young to go to the park) Just wondered if anyone knew what we could do next?

My own take on this would be that we could all (ie all residents in the road) use it for growing food - ie if I were in any of the houses in the road then I could start growing food there - but the resultant food would belong to everyone in the road and not just myself (as the land "belonged" to everyone in the road - so obviously anything grown on it did as well). Sorry if thats not what you wish to hear - but that would be my own take on this, whether I was the home-owner growing it or lived in any of the other houses in the road.

Perhaps you could ask other residents in the road if they wish to "divvy up" the land between you all and start growing? If this doesnt seem practical for any reason - then start growing and accept that others in the road may help and/or take a share of the food - as that would be fair actually.

I dont know the "legal" position - but then I always take account of the "actual" position first and the "legal" position as something thats only useful if it says exactly the same as the "actual" position iyswim.

So - for instance - I've planted up a couple of swathes of land that isnt "actually" or "legally" mine with foodstuff (ie because its Council land) and I expect to have some of the resultant food crop from it because I've paid for the seeds and planted them - but I have to accept that the land is communal and therefore other people will take what they want as well (and...indeed ...they DO do so and I mean them to in fact...).

Seakay

ceridwen wrote: »

Thank you. Hmmm...rare orchids...some more investigation due here then...

I'm quite happy to import any plants that seem possible. A bit more problematic re something like toads - though in extremis...but I wont be kissing them hoping to find my Prince after all this time. Prince Charming obviously caught the wrong bus a long time ago and got lost the other end of the country...

Quick initial glance - badgers are mentioned. Yay! We have badgers...Now wonders how to find them - but I've had enough comments about them snuffling round the place..

Only slight problem about importing plants is that you would be breaking the law by digging them up to move them in.
"all species of wildflower are covered by law. It is illegal to uproot any wildflower unless with the permission of the land owner. Some you may not pick but I think you can take the seed - not sure on this. But the rare species may not be picked or the seeds taken or uprooted even if the land owner says you can. Both would be committing an offence."

"Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, which covers Britain, it is illegal to uproot any wild plant without permission from the landowner or occupier. Uproot is defined as to ‘dig up or otherwise remove the plant from the land on which it is growing’, whether or not it actually has roots; and, for the purposes of the legislation, the term ‘plant’ includes algae, lichens and fungi as well the true plants – mosses, liverworts and vascular plants. Similar general protection is given to all plants in Northern Ireland, under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order, 1985."

"Both the Wildlife and Countryside Act and the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) order contain a list (Schedule 8) of endangered plants, which are protected against intentional picking, uprooting and destruction (unless a licence is obtained from the relevant authority, or the damage is a result of a lawful activity and could not reasonably have been avoided). These plants are also protected against sale. In addition, there are two species (Bluebell in Britain and Primrose in Northern Ireland) which are listed for protection only against sale. Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act is revised every five years."

ceridwen

Thanks Seakay - obviously I would be looking for a legit. source to BUY anything I wanted in this line and have a mental note made "look up Amazon for legit suppliers of bulbs, etc, for any plants wanted).

One of the first rules one is taught on foraging courses (and I've been on quite a few by now) is "Dont dig up any bulbs or roots - its probably not allowed".

That - and all the other rules:
- if in doubt don't (ie about what the plant is)
- in dog walker territory a dog might have just ****** over the plant you wish to pick
- how to spot non-organic farmers
- dont pick anything on the side of a busy road (car fumes!)
- only pick a small portion of what you want (a plant has to regenerate itself AND there might be other foragers wanting some coming along after you)

EDIT: ...and its happened AGAIN this year that I've gone to pick a fave foraging food from land that counts as "my territory" and its all gone (someone not abiding by the "only take a fair share" and the person/people concerned definitely dont live nearby and are picking "off territory" therefore.......grrr..suspects they are the same ones who also leave litter around that I end up picking up...grr).

blackandwhitebunny

Rainy-Days wrote: »

I would tell your FIL to write to the Council's legal department and formally inform them that the land is now in his ownership and that he will be dealing with and taking care of all the cutting. If the council can prove they have maintained a piece of land they can lay claim to it and even use the excuse that it becomes part of the adopted highway. Had a similar issue myself but with a ditch. If you need any more info PM me and I can give you a legal letter to be delivered to your local council. In the first instance they need to be stopped = complacency is what these tin pot hitlers in local government work on. They need to understand that they are ONLY and will ever be just local government they are not on a par with direct government!

My FIL did that about the second time they did it, he's got a FS / legal background. I think the problem is that the people in the offices know that it's not theirs but the actual chaps on the lorry haven't been told.:D

paidinchickens

ceridwen wrote: »

My own take on this would be that we could all (ie all residents in the road) use it for growing food - ie if I were in any of the houses in the road then I could start growing food there - but the resultant food would belong to everyone in the road and not just myself (as the land "belonged" to everyone in the road - so obviously anything grown on it did as well). Sorry if thats not what you wish to hear - but that would be my own take on this, whether I was the home-owner growing it or lived in any of the other houses in the road.

Perhaps you could ask other residents in the road if they wish to "divvy up" the land between you all and start growing? If this doesnt seem practical for any reason - then start growing and accept that others in the road may help and/or take a share of the food - as that would be fair actually.

I dont know the "legal" position - but then I always take account of the "actual" position first and the "legal" position as something thats only useful if it says exactly the same as the "actual" position iyswim.

So - for instance - I've planted up a couple of swathes of land that isnt "actually" or "legally" mine with foodstuff (ie because its Council land) and I expect to have some of the resultant food crop from it because I've paid for the seeds and planted them - but I have to accept that the land is communal and therefore other people will take what they want as well (and...indeed ...they DO do so and I mean them to in fact...).

I have posted the same thing over the other board.

I would love for this to be a communal garden project that would be great. Unfortunately most of the people in our street are in the forces and are away for great lengths of time or work very long hours. There are two elderly people on the street one of which holidays away a lot of the time and one who appreciates the fact we tidy the place up but when I mentioned the gardening he was not really interested. It is such a shame as where we live is not the friendliest of places and this could be a great place to get together!

However I am sure if we started people would come over and chat and who knows they may even get a little more interested plus if our kids are helping I am sure their friends would come round and word would spread and may have a few people off the estate rather than just our road........just a thought