Bill on Bonfires

It's an early hot summer evening. The sun is still shining. You've got all the windows open to let in the breeze.

You're in the garden drinking Pimms and whack!

The first wave of smoke engulfs you… and there's plenty more when that came from. Your neighbour is burning his garden waste and has just started an hour-long bonfire.

How do you resolve this one? Neighbours up and down Oxfordshire struggle to deal with it.

Here's how one village is thrashing out the debate in emails.

"Yet again I have had to take in my freshly laundered washing today, smelling of smoke (it will need to be laundered again).

"I do not have a tumble dryer and regardless, I enjoy the option of drying my clothes outside.

"Bonfires are not just my bugbear. From feedback I received from other villagers when I last had a moan about it, bonfires ruin the enjoyment of outside space for a lot of people, with many sharing my view that it is an anti-social and environmentally unfriendly way to dealing with waste.

"Could I please suggest a solution for this? Could I respectfully ask, that if individuals want to have bonfires, that we select (say 3-4 days per month?) that are allocated 'bonfire days' and the dates posted on the notice board or circulated via email?

"This way those of us who are negatively affected by others fires can ensure their washing is not outside and windows are closed. For instance the other day I came back from work and it smelled of smoke inside our house because I'd left our windows slightly open.

"I don't think this is an unreasonable suggestion. If any of our activities upset or hinder anybody in the village, we would fully expect the issues to be raised so we could address the problem. We all have to live together in this wonderful village after all."

Support came from another villager: "I think you are suggesting a very sensible and sensitive solution to the problem and that we should go with this suggestion and discuss the practicalities at a parish meeting."

Some had reservations: "I agree in principle but only problem with fixed days in that for most of us gardening has to be done at weekends so it might be difficult to find one day to suit all. For me it would have to be on a Saturday or Sunday (or possibly Friday evening).

"The other issue is weather -- we save all our non-compostables and have a bonfire once a year - but often have to wait weeks so it is dry enough and not too windy. Maybe good old-fashioned communication is needed and anyone deciding to have a bonfire should alert their neighbours or even 'book' it a couple of days ahead of time, weather permitting, and post a note on the board."

It was a heated debate: "To sound a contrary note, I love bonfires; it can be a real seasonal pleasure and represents the liberty of living in the country as distinct from the regimentation to be found in town.

"Lest you think me a curmudgeonly sort of person, I have about three fires a year, always check that my neighbours do not have washing out and if the smoke blows towards their windows I put it out. I try very hard to avoid burning anything damp which would cause smoke.

"Hence I do not think there is a problem that consideration and forethought cannot solve without the need for rules, schedules or notices."

What's your position on this latest burning issue in Oxfordshire?

Name

Your E-mail address

Town & Country

Comments

The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide.

Terms & Conditions

A bonfire is no different than a barbecue. I believe this is a petty, self-centred and selfish concern you express here. Why not just get out more?

Wendy

When i was growing up in the 60's I remember my mum saying there was a by law that said you couldn't have a bonfire until 2pm in the afternoon, also we used to look to see if people had washing out, admittedly in those days wash day was mainly on a Monday, and it wasn't such an issue, but at least you would know when to hang your washing out and get it in before 2pm. Is this by law still in existance?

K.