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Bonfires again! - Anon (30th Mar 2021 - 20:05:47) What a surprise to see that selfish people have again decided to light bonfires and burn their garden waste at the first sign of mild weather. It is incredibly anti social. We have all been shut inside for months and want to enjoy a pleasant evening in the garden/with the windows and doors open but can't do that with nasty smells all over the village. PLEASE have some consideration for your neighbours.

Re: Bonfires again! - James (31st Mar 2021 - 19:02:07) Get over it. People have bonfires. I would understand if this was repeated by the same culprits by the sounds of it isn't. Have a word with the person if you are so upset by it.

Re: Bonfires again! - Flames (31st Mar 2021 - 21:21:04) I like garden fires. The spring and the autumn are the best times. I think I’ll have one next week.

Re: Bonfires again! - Joe (1st Apr 2021 - 09:34:40) James in normal times the local authority place restrictions on bonfires in built up areas. Also during the covid epidemic they have been totally banned. We have the facility at Borden to get rid of garden waste or the collection service. As a responsible socially aware person you should be aware surely?

Re: Bonfires again! - M (1st Apr 2021 - 12:02:15) I would love to know what the difference between a bonfire and a barbecue is? Those people who get cross every time someone lights a bonfire... why don't they get cross when someone lights a barbecue? Personally I just think we should all just try and get along together and if you've got a problem with someone lighting a bonfire go round and have a chat with them - they may not know they are annoying you. BTW years ago we were burning some paperwork in an incinerator outside and someone reported us to environmental services - when they arrived they just laughed and told us to carry on and they would go and speak to the person that had complained.

Re: Bonfires again! - Joe (1st Apr 2021 - 12:25:43) In an ideal world M we would all get along but because we do not then some rules are in place. In another thread there was a posting about district cllr Mouland jeering at someone for clearing a pond and calling them a boy scout. You make reference to the local environmental health laughing at a call out for burning waste. Is that what we pay a lot of council tax for? To be laughed at?

Re: Bonfires again! - M (1st Apr 2021 - 13:15:43) Joe - why is a bonfire not ok, but a barbecue is? They are both burning stuff... The incinerator is covered, with just a small chimney coming off it - no different to burning a fire in your house...

Re: Bonfires again! - Joe (1st Apr 2021 - 13:54:12) Some bonfires are not in incinerators and some barbeques are gas. Some bonfires can smoke for days.

Re: Bonfires again! - Charlie (1st Apr 2021 - 14:35:00) Barbecues don't produce unpleasant, potentially harmful fumes that lingers for hours. Bonfires do. Fumes from domestic bonfires are particularly bad for people with asthma. EHDC advises against domestic bonfires unless absolutely necessary. easthants.gov.uk/bonfires

Re: Bonfires again! - M (1st Apr 2021 - 15:46:15) Charlie... surely it depends what the barbecue is lit with? And surely it depends what the bonfire is burning... The paraffin fuelled barbecue is emitting harmful fumes... Apart from smelling disgusting...

Re: Bonfires again! - M (1st Apr 2021 - 15:59:38) P.S.... Barbecue smoke contains PAHs, which are carcinogenic and easily absorbed in the lungs. Smoke from charcoal or wood also produces hydrocarbons, a type of volatile organic compound, and soot particles, which are inhaled deep in the lungs and contribute to a variety of respiratory illnesses. I'm not against barbecues, but what I'm trying to demonstrate is that some people get really mad with anyone who dares to light a bonfire (and btw it wasn't me!), but this weekend I'm sure we're all going to be engulfed with the smell of cooking meat when many barbecues get lit... but that apparently is ok!

Re: Bonfires again! - rolli (1st Apr 2021 - 17:43:29) m - nit-picking

Re: Bonfires again! - Greg (1st Apr 2021 - 18:55:25) Can't wait for summer , to get my paraffin infused burgers .. Yum yum !!

Re: Bonfires again! - James (1st Apr 2021 - 18:56:02) Hi Joe, Where does it say bonfires are currently banned? I know that they were banned, but can't see anything that says they are still banned.

Re: Bonfires again! - er (1st Apr 2021 - 22:12:08) Actually it's not bonfires or barbequeus we need to worry about it's..... wood burning stoves! Nearly 40% of ALL harmful particulants released in all of Britain come from.... domestic wood burning stoves! To put into perspective....ALL industrial combustion is 16% AND ALL road traffic pollution is....12%!!! If you live near a wood burning stove...or two... you are technically in a heavily polluted area even if it looks idyllic! ESPECIALLY if burning WET/DAMP wood or coal, so please think of your elderly neighbours and burn ONLY dry, recommended woods, sorry but they may cost a little more but... Read please: which.co.uk/reviews/wood-burning-stoves/article/wood-burning-stoves-what-you-need-to-know/stoves-and-pollution-aIPXC8g7lbu5 verywellhealth.com/the-health-hazards-of-wood-burning-stoves-914956 bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/news-from-the-bhf/news-archive/2020/march/open-fires-wood-burners-bad-health

Re: Bonfires again! - Joe (1st Apr 2021 - 22:40:05) On the EHDC website it is recommended that bonfires are still not lit at the moment and states that any smoke complaint from them will be investigated.

Re: Bonfires again! - James (2nd Apr 2021 - 08:38:33) "If you have garden waste to dispose of, try and compost as much as possible. Consider using a shredding machine, which can reduce hardwood materials into mulch for use on your garden. If you must light a bonfire, ensure that the material to be burnt is dry. This will minimise the amount of smoke produced." Not quite Joe. Bonfires are not banned. If someone has an issue with a bonfire coming on here to complain about it isn't going to fix anything. They should talk to the person in charge of the bonfire or make a complaint to EHDC.

Re: Bonfires again! - Penny Williamson (2nd Apr 2021 - 08:58:53) I cannot see anywhere that bonfires have been banned even during the height of the pandemic. It was certainly strongly recommended and advised but I could not find any outright ban. Perhaps someone could post the link giving evidence of this. Having said that consideration and respect for others should be adhered to at all times and I think it would be inconsiderate to have a bonfire a) if it was in close proximity to neighbours and b) on a warm and sunny day. Most importantly do not ever burn plastic or waste other than garden waste.

Re: Bonfires again! - Jules (3rd Apr 2021 - 12:45:00) A couple of years ago my next-door neighbour set about burning their kitchen units on a bonfire in their garden. I complained to them and then to the council citing the clean air act as I was in London at the time. I was told the clean air act refers to items burned in fireplaces and wood burners but not bonfires!! I love the smell of Phenol formaldehyde, smells like victory..

Re: Bonfires again! - AF (3rd Apr 2021 - 15:10:23) There are two different things here. With regard to garden waste weeds leaves wood etc this is fine to burn and the smell is not offensive and if this is upsetting to you move to a big city where they don't have bonfires. As for other types of waste such as plastic, rubber old kitchen units theses should not be burned as the smell they make is unpleasant and should be taken to the local dump.

Re: Bonfires again! - James (3rd Apr 2021 - 17:12:17) The original post was about garden waste.

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