Food Prices

[Cider Boys]

I was listening to radio programme this morning on the BBC World Service where a spokesman from Merrill Lynch was forecasting that world food costs were now set to increase after years of falling prices (compared with earnings). He attributed his findings to an increasing population, the growing of Bio-fuels and lower production from organic farming. The spokesman also believed the poor of the world would be most affected.

If this comes to fruition I think there will be an increasing demand for armed guards to patrol many of this country’s allotments and vegetable plots if recent reports of vegetable thefts are to be believed.

As Jethro the comedienne said when he caught people picking his strawberries,”Can’t you lot read; the sign says ’pick your OWN strawberries’”.

Barney

[Weed]

It is ironic that you should post on this subject just now....several of us on our site are finding produce disappearing...

I have lost a single lettuce, my neighbour has had 'one row' of blue lobelia taken from a seed tray, another plotholder has lost three dozen 8' canes and another a blue water butt.

New locks now purchased for the greenhouses

[submariner]

I think rhat Jethro, the COMEDIAN, would not be pleased!
Theft from alotments has been going on for years here. It's the main reson I gave mine up years ago.

[Johnboy]

Hi Barney,
It happens in gardens as well. I long remember the wonderful crop of Victoria Plums which were almost ready for picking and had looked at them in the morning and when I came home the tree had been stripped totally bare! A cement mixer disappeared with them and have often wondered if they made jam in it!
JB.

[Cider Boys]

Hello Johnboy

Several years ago I put up a strand of barbed wire to stop youths from a footpath climbing over my fence into my back garden. I was latter informed by a ‘knowledgeable’ neighbour that I may be liable for any injuries caused by the wire if someone was hurt climbing the fence.

So yours truly, put up two more strands just to make sure.

Best wishes

Barney

[Jenny Green]

That was truly evil Barney.
Surely your neighbour must be wrong? The countryside abounds with barbed wire. Wouldn't ramblers be suing farmers left right and centre?

[Weed]

Barney is correct

A couple of years ago a customer of mine had an intruder in the home who threatened her with a knife.

Her husband put up razor wire around the perimeter fence...the Police Sargeant who came to call (Yes apparently we do still have one)informed him that what he had done was illegal but he then went on to say that he hadn't seen it....it still remains to this day.

[Cider Boys]

Hello Jenny and Weed

As I understood my neighbour she said the wire should only be erected over a certain height (7 feet I think) and I should also have a warning sign informing (possible intruders) of its existence.

(We often have interesting and protracted conversations since she thinks that she knows everything and I think that I know even more!)

I realise ignorance is no defence and my wires runs just above 6 feet over a panel fence with no warning signs bit I have had no further break ins to my property (your honour).

Perhaps someone could explain why if I cut myself on barbed wire whilst walking in a field I consider it my fault but an intruder (thief) can sue me if he gets cut whilst breaking into my property.

Any case the barbed wire stays but I have filled in the mantrap and I’m not saying if there was anyone in it at the time.

Not guilty your honour

Barney

[Cider Boys]

Hello Submariner

I have just got the message about Jethro's gender but I confess it has taken me 4 readings for the penny to drop.

Best wishes

Barney

[richard p]

my father put a notice on his front door which read " this property is fitted with electromechanical anti intruder devices" the copper who came round checking on shotgun permits was not ammused and started lecturing on the illegallity of booby traps but couldnt explain what was wrong with door bells!!!

[Weed]

So if I grow brambles and the like around the perimeter of my property do I have to put up warning signs...or as its natural/organic can I plead ignorance?...Barney Milud

Does a bed of lovely nettles my side of the fence constitute a trap?
Maybe the wise old sage ..Dear OH could enlighten me

[Cider Boys]

Isn’t it strange nowadays, how authorities are so quick to tell the generally law abiding about any possible technical infringement they may be guilty of and at the same time spend so much time an energy making excuses for the generally lawless.

Just an observation your honour

Barney

[oldherbaceous]

Dear Weed, a few years ago when i was in the building trade, we had to hang loads of signs round a site on the razor wire, because someone had cut themselves trying to break in.
And what really cheesed me off, was that i ripped a nearly new jacket whilst doing the job.
So i think that if you have signs warning of the danger you should be covered.
I can't say i have ever seen a beware of the stinging nettles, sign before though.

I always try and work thigs out with people nice and calmly, and if that doesn't work, i really explode.
It's the old shock tactics you know, it works nearly everytime.

[richard p]

i think there is an argument that if you put up a warning sign you are aware a danger exists and therefore liable should someone claim injury. without a warning sign you can claim the danger was unforseen by you or a normal person (having undertaken a risk assessment?)would not perceive it as dangerous. all you can be sure of is that the legal bods will never starve

[madasafish]

You are all witness to my statement I have a morbid fear of burglars and believe they all carry knvies and as a result keep a cricket bat handy for self defence.